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FIVE
POINTS OF YOGA
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Five principles constitute
the essence of the teachings of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta
Centers.
To clarify the science of Yoga and make it accessible to the majority of seekers,
Swami Vishnu-devananda extracted its essence and presented it in these universal
principles for physical and mental health as well as spiritual growth.
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The bluffs of Laurel Gorge, seen from the path to Stone
Door.
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1. Proper Exercise - Asanas |
Our physical body is meant to move and exercise.
If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles
and joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with
time. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner
while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life.
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2. Proper Breathing -Pranayama |
Yoga teaches us how to
use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control
the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical.
This increases vitality and mental clarity.
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3. Proper Relaxation - Savasana |
Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones,
computers, freeways and other modern triggers of stress, the
Rishis (sages or seers) and Yogis of yore devised very powerful
techniques of deep relaxation. As a matter of fact, many modern
stress-management and relaxation methods borrow heavily from
this tradition. By relaxing deeply all the muscles the Yogi
can thoroughly rejuvenate his nervous system and attain a deep
sense of inner peace.
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4. Proper Diet |
Besides being responsible
for building our physical body, the foods we eat profoundly
affect our mind. For maximum body-mind efficiency and complete spiritual
awareness, Yoga advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an integral part
of the Yogic lifestyle.
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5. Meditation - Dhyana |
Here is the most important
point of all: we become what we think. Thus, we should exert
ourselves to entertain positive and creative thoughts as these
will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind.
A positive outlook on life can be developed by learning and
practicing the teachings of the philosophy of Vedanta. The
mind will be brought under perfect control by regular practice
of meditation.
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Further reading:
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The SDYR, is affiliated
with the Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Centers, a non-profit, worldwide network of
ashrams and centers founded by Swami Vishnudevanada to
spread the teachings of yoga. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers
have Ashrams in Val Morin, Canada; Woodbourne, NY; Grass Valley,
CA; Paradise Island, Bahamas; Neyar Dam, India, and Netala, India,
and centers in India, South America, and most major cities in
Europe and North America. They have affiliated teachers
worldwide. Dattatreya and Sita Lakshmi are affiliated teachers
with Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, and are disciples of Swami
Vishnudevananda.
Email: yoga@yogadoor.com |
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