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“Asana is that which contributes to stability and a sense of well being”. Stability implies here not merely the stability of the posture but that of the mind and body as a whole.

Asana is often translated as ‘pose’ or ‘posture but its literal meaning is ‘seat’. Asanas are the physical postures of yoga first limb of Hatha Yoga and third limb in Patanjali’s Yoga system

Asana are supposed to prepare sadhaka for Pranayma and Meditation by removing rigidity from the body. Once the physical body overcomes the physical tensions it is easier to enter into deeper states of consciousness.

In Light of yoga, legendary yoga master says that ‘The Yogi conquers the body by the practice of Asana and makes it a fit vehicle for the soul. He knows it is a necessary vehicle for the spirit.’

Asana can be practiced by anyone of any level from young, old, and weak, and can attain its benefits if practiced on regular basis.

We know from our own experiences that stress is retained in muscles joints and tendons and over the time it results into rigidness and shortness of the muscles affecting our entire nervous system. Hatha Yoga Asana are designed in such a way that it reduces tension by systematically stretching and relaxing muscles and strengthens internal organs, glandular and neurological systems. Asana improves blood supply to joints, liver, kidneys and heart and the body is oxygenated and relaxed doing these yoga postures.

The aim of Asana is to counteract angamejayatva which is restlessness in the body or lack of co-ordination between the body and the mind. Scriptures such as Hatha Yoga Pradipika states Asana brings stability to health and suppleness to the body. Gorakshashatakam states the value of asana as” Asanena rujo hanti” meaning it removes all illnesses.

The benefits of Asana practice are far greater than just to the muscles and joints; it affects the endocrines system, the spine and the digestive system. Asanas not only shapes the body but also shapes attitude towards life.

What is Pranayama?
Prana is breath and also a form of energy. The breath is both a major source of prana and serves as a vehicle for regulating the flow of prana throughout the body. According to Patanjali, when we have voluntary control over breathing by making it deep and long as well as subtle, gradually breathing activity comes to stand still which leads to silencing of mental activity - a quiet mind.

As we breathe in air, and the lungs oxygenate the blood and expel carbon dioxide and other waste gases from the blood in a process known as alveoli. Those gases are expelled when we exhale. This process is subconscious or autonomic, and may not be happening in a balanced and efficient manner. Pranayama relates to bringing mental consciousness to the normally subconscious activity of breathing in order to make it more efficient and balance the oxygen, carbon dioxide and other soluble gas levels in the blood. Through this consciousness we are using the mind to control the body. In yogic terms being able to control the mind is essential for concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana). In practical term greater mental control helps to bring emotional control and balance and mental clarity.

Increase concentration, creativity and cognitive brain functions Increase relaxation and calmness by releasing tension Improved mind and physical control, helping control emotions and relieve tension. Improved signing through increases abdominal and diaphragm strength and control

Increase concentration, creativity and cognitive brain functions Increase relaxation and calmness by releasing tension Improved mind and physical control, helping control emotions and relieve tension. Improved signing through increases abdominal and diaphragm strength and control

There is an insatiable quest in all human beings to find answers to eternal questions, such as, ‘where do I come from? What is the purpose my life?’ Answers to these questions can’t be found easily. Scientists try to find answers to these questions through the external world and eastern sages turned their awareness internally. Yogic scriptures such as Ashtanga Yoga of Maharishi Patanjali outline a multi-dimensional approach to self- realization, which is comprised of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi to turn the awareness within.

Dharana is concentration, where the process is to fix the attention of the mind on a place or object. This concentration leads to meditation – Dhyana. Dhyana is sustained concentration; attention continues to be fixed on the same object or place. Meditation leads to absorption – Samadhi. Samadhi means super conscious state of mind where you reach self-actualisation. However this process is difficult so Lord Krishna advises in Bhagwad Gita ‘whenever your erratic, unstable mind wanders,

Meditation is a technique of withdrawing the mind to allow it to rest and rejuvenate. Meditation induces deep physiological and psychological rest leading to energy conservation by reduced speed of diversely running thought energies. Meditation has been found to be extremely beneficial in managing chronic psychosomatic disorders. It’s very useful in pain management, heart diseases ,insomnia, stress related disorders, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Tension Headaches and migraine ,Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcers, and Insomnia, Respiratory crises as Asthma, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) etc.

Mindfulness is training your mind to bring awareness to daily activities and witnessing it in non judgmental and non reactive manner. Its implications are beautifully explained in this saying

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

It could be that non-judgment and non- reaction is misunderstood as passivity and inactivity but it’s in fact it is a wonderful way of developing the ability to witness mental activities without getting entangled with them. This does not mean escaping from responsibilities. The practice of mindfulness is to observe oneself while engaged in daily activities.

Solution to a problem is not running away but actually feeling and experiencing it fully. Simply paying attention without judgment to physical sensations, Pranic impulses, mental fluctuations and emotional conflicts opens new pathways in our brain and new ways of thinking. Mindfulness is a profound way of healing physical and emotional traumas. Mindfulness removes that clutter in head to bring about restful sleep and deep body relaxation.

In the words of Swami Rama “A mantra is a sound, a syllable, or a set of sounds. It is known not by its meaning, but by its vibrations. It provides a focus for the mind and helps one become aware of his or her internal states. It is a way to understand one’s self and to coordinate one’s external and internal words.

The mantra as a friend that helps the mind become one pointed and slowly leads the student to a deep state of silence, to the Center of Consciousness within. It is a spiritual seed sown in the soil of the self. It is a therapeutic guide that leads one through various levels of being and finally to the unity between individual and Cosmic Consciousness.”

The power of mantra is revealed in the roots of the sanskrit word, man, meaning mind, and, tra, meaning deliverance, or, projection. The meaning of every mantra is infinity. It is a sound vibration beyond the cognition of the mind. When the mind is unable to cognize, it simply dissolves and moves into a meditative space. Mantra is a method used by the yogis to train and purify the mind.

According to Hatha Yoga Pradipika the final state of Hatha yoga achieved by complete cessation of mental activity by becoming one with internally aroused sound is known as Nadanusandhana. Mantras have profound healing effect on body and mind complex when recited with feeling and awareness.

Mantras have a soothing effect, of which its benefits include: helps build a stronger immune response and keeps stress at bay Strengthens the mind and reduces anxiety and depression

Hypnotherapy is a form of complementary therapy that works by bringing about a relaxed state of mind whereby therapeutic suggestions are given to encourage changes in attitude and behaviour, or relief from stress-related symptoms.

The process itself aims to alter our state of consciousness in a way that relaxes the conscious part of the mind while simultaneously stimulating and focusing the subconscious part. This heightened state of awareness - reached using skilled relaxation techniques - allows the therapist to then make appropriate suggestions. These suggestions can be effective for anything between three minutes to three week sessions. It’s beneficial for both the mind and body.

Hypnosis is used effectively to facilitate clients understanding of themselves or their problems, extinguish unfortunate habits, uncover repressed or forgotten memories, reduce anxiety and fears, and develop a new and more adaptive outlook. Hypnosis is a treatment modality that has been used to treat the widest range of human concerns. Here is the list of the more common issues hypnotherapy can treat:

Phobias, fears, and anxiety
Sleep disorders
Depression
Stress
Post-trauma anxiety
Grief and loss