Yoga Wellness - With Louise Comfort

The Physical Practice of Yoga (Asana & Breath)

The main Yoga practice we observe in the Western world is asana, or Yoga postures. Asana refers to all the physical exercises or poses that are done with the body, and are generally aligned with the breath. Although asana is the third limb of the eight part yoga system as described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, it is often the first to be focused on for example, when one tries a yoga class for the first time.

Benefits of Yoga

· Increases in muscular strength and endurance

· Increases in flexibly

· Improved balance and muscle coordination

· Improved cardiovascular health, both strength and endurance

· Internal organs & glands are massaged/kneaded resulting in detoxification

· Natural metabolism regulation

· Pain relief

· Improved ability to manage stress

· Slowing of the aging process

· Improved ability to focus and concentrate

· Slows heart rate

· Lowers blood pressure

· Reduces insomnia

· Weight loss

· Lubrication of joints, ligaments and tendons

· Improved circulation to all parts of the body

We move through this so called “life”, in this vehicle that is our body. The practice of asana is a highly effective way to maintain and tend to our vehicle. With a broken down and dilapidated vehicle it is difficult and often impossible to travel with ease, let alone move toward fulfilling our life’s purpose. Quite simply, when you are sick it becomes the dominating factor in your life and not much else matters.

Disease (dis-ease) is generally a physical symptom of mental, emotional, physical, nutritional/or physiological imbalances in the body. Our body has systems in place to maintain a state of wellness, a state of balance. With the proper inputs and care our body will serve us well. But, in our modern environment we are constantly bombarding our body with outside factors that challenge our systems ability to maintain this equilibrium.

Asana moves, stretches, and manipulates the body cleansing it of harmful toxins and aides the body in it’s attempt to balance. Moving through asanas with coordinated breath quiets the mind, allowing our consciousness to focus on the present. Our body can only exist in the present moment. So by focusing our attention upon the physical sensations of asana, and listening to the breath, the mind becomes still, allowing consciousness to expand. As we begin to stabilize the fluctuations of the mind through asana and breath improved emotional and physical states arise.

Breath

Breath is the heart of Yoga. Without breath it is not Yoga. Your breath is the bridge between the body and the mind. With our breath we bathe our cells in oxygen and calm our nervous system. Our peripheral nervous system is made up of two segments, the somatic (voluntary) and the autonomic (involuntary). The somatic nervous system controls everything we think of as being controlled by conscious volition (in particular the skeletal muscles). The autonomic nervous system regulates key functions of the body that take place for the most part unconsciously including the activity of the heart muscles, the smooth muscles (e.g., the muscles of the intestinal tract), and the glands etc. Breath falls within the realm of the autonomic nervous system but can take place both consciously and unconsciously. Therefore, it can be used as a link to our autonomic nervous system and the physiology of our body. As we breath deeply and practice yoga the parasympathetic nervous system (segment of the autonomic nervous system associated with relaxation) dominates. That is why breath can have such a major impact on our health and well being. It is widely accepted and scientifically proven that deep breathing and the channeling of the breath have tremendous health benefits both physically and mentally.

Beyond the Physical -A Definition of Yoga

Yoga is an ancient science of health and healing that originated in the East more than 5,000 years ago. Yoga is not a religion, and does not interfere or contradict any religious beliefs. Religions define and recommend a set of beliefs, while yoga is a science which is based on the concrete experience of past teachers and Yogis. Yoga is a practical, methodical, systemic discipline that has the lofty goal of helping human beings to become aware of their deepest nature. In other words, the purpose of yoga is to unite ourselves with our highest nature. This re-unity or re-integration is accomplished through the practices of various yoga disciplines. The teachings of this tradition suggest that inherent in each of us, there is a marriage between body, mind and spirit. In the course of our daily lives, these aspects can become disconnected and conflicted. As a result, we become subject to a host of modern ills, ranging from stress and disease to fatigue and depression. However when our bodies, minds, and spirits remain closely bound, we manifest serenity, strength, and wellness. The aim of yoga is to restore and preserve the fundamental unity of our three part nature.

Yoga Sutra 1.2 defines yoga as yogas citta-vrtti-nirodah. While it is nearly impossible to gain even a limited understanding of yoga by attempting to directly translate this sutra, a common translation is “the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind”. Said differently, Yoga is the intentional calming/quieting/controlling of the fluctuations/waves/oscillations of the mind in all aspects and fields of consciousness.

Just as there are many paths a mountain climber can take to reach the summit of a mountain, there are many yogic paths to reach that place of peace and harmony. These paths are not conflicting, but are meant to accommodate the various inclinations, personalities, and temperaments of individual students. Various forms of yoga place varying degrees of emphasis on the mind and body. Some practices being much more physical in nature than others.