By Kristen M. Weiner

The 5,000 year old way of healing with Yoga, is a way of healing that models the way to health, happiness and wholeness for those who are interested. The physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects are related to the health of a human being.

In the approach of Yoga, there are 5 principles that constitute the essence of yoga and its relation to health.

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas): Hatha Yoga gives attention first to the physical body, which is the vehicle of the soul’s existence and activity. 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 result with time. Proper exercise acts as a lubricating routine to the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and other parts of the body. This increases circulation and flexibility. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life. The physical body is an instrument for one’s journey towards perfection with one’s own health. Yogic exercises develop the body which also broaden then mental faculties. With this, the Yogi acquires mastery over the involuntary muscles of one’s organism. Yogic exercises oppose violent muscles movements because they produce large quantities of lactic acid in the muscle fibers. The results of this is fatigue. The effect of this lactic acid and the fatigue it causes is neutralized by the alkali in the muscle fibers. Health is a state when all organs function perfectly under the intelligent control of the mind. With yoga, all movements are gradual with proper breathing and relaxation. As well as by the inhaling of oxygen. Therefore the main purpose of exercise is to increase the circulation, the intake of oxygen and keep arteries elastic.The spinal column and other joints are given attention through yoga maintaing an even supply of blood to every part of the body. Yogis already knew about the connection between the endocrine system and yoga which affects the emotions of the mind. Yogic postures help strengthen the endocrine system through exercises. This helps bring the emotions under control through concentration and relaxation.

2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama): Every part of the body can be filled up with prana which is the vital energy known as the universal energy. The breathing is a manifestation of a vitalizing force called prana. By the regulating the physical breathing, the prana is controlled and this process of controlling the subtle prana is called pranayama. Prana, also, represents all mental and physical energies. It is the easiest to control through the regulation of physical breathing. There is a positive effect of prana on the nervous system which aids in keeping one grounded and calm. 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. Proper Breathing also aids the body in connecting to its battery, the solar plexus. In the solar plexus, tremendous potential energy is stored. Once the solar plexus is tapped through specific yoga breathing techniques such as pranayama, then this energy is released for physical and mental rejuvenation. Through the practice of asanas and pranayama, the mind becomes one-pointed and thus one can progress quickly in concentration and meditation.

3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana): Proper relaxation cools down the system, as does the radiator of a car. When the body and the mind are continually overworked, their efficiency diminishes. Relaxation is nature’s way of recharging the body. Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones, computers, freeways and other moderns that trigger stress. Yogis 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 one’s nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace. However even while one rests, the average person spends a great deal of physical and mental energy. Most of the energy produced by the body is wasted and useless, especially on unnecessary muscular tension. Every physical action puts tension in the muscles. Before one learns any new physical or mental exercise, one should first learn to observe and be aware of any muscular tension. Also to be able to relax unnecessary tension of the muscles. This is the principle that yoga exercises are based upon. Most of our energy is spent in keeping the muscles in continual readiness for work than in actual useful work done during our lifetime. In order to regulate and balance the work of the body and mind, it is necessary to learn to economize the energy produced by our body. This is the main purpose of learning how to relax.

4. Proper Diet (Vegetarian): Proper diet provides the correct fuel for the body. The energy for the physical body is obtained through food, water, sunlight and air. The body needs food for two purposes for fuel to supply energy and to repair body tissues. There are four elements needed for the body’s repair and upbuilding which are protein, carbohydrates, hydrocarbons and minerals. 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. Food must be organic, grown, and at its most natural for maximum benefit to ones diet. The air is the most important food. This can be found in the mountains or near the ocean. This is an integral part of the Yogic lifestyle.

5. Positive Thinking (Vedanta) and Meditation (Dhyana): When one practices and lives with positive thinking and meditation, it puts one in more control of oneself in a healthy sense. The intellect is purified. The lower nature is brought under conscious control through steadiness and concentration of the mind. The most important point of all, we become what we think. Thus we should exert 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. Practice of meditation gives constant observation of one’s mind. This involves setting aside a regular time and place for this specific purpose to discover the infinite well of wisdom that lies within. The mind becomes clearer and motives more pure. The subconscious releases hidden knowledge that allows better understanding. The ego is slowly eradicated. Ultimately, the intuitive forces are released leading to a life of wisdom and peace.

Prevention of disease is possible if we are able to follow the above five important Yogic rules for health. Proper exercises to stimulate circulation, proper breathing exercises to absorb more oxygen, proper relaxation of the body and mind, natural wholesome food and proper thinking and concentration of the mind.

“Yoga is a light which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.” ~B.K.S Iyengar Thus, the better we take care of our health, the brighter our health is.

Kristen M. Weiner is a certified Yoga teacher. She teaches Yoga sessions in the Walnut Creek, California area.  http://www.deafhoodyoga.com/