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Transforming streets into paths of serenity
Welcome to landing on the Yogic Roads, the mystical thoroughfares believed to have been paved by the ancient legends themselves. It's not any ordinary road. As you step onto these streets, you are greeted by— gentle chants, silent meditation, managing stress, and finding yourself!
It's a street that gives you the key to finding solutions to every possible problem. There are no honking cars and rumbling buses. The only mode of transport is your own two feet.
You can begin your journey by opening the gates of Yoga Asanas (physical postures). Keep in mind that asanas are not exercises. It involves manipulating your energy in a certain direction which needs to be done with a certain level of awareness. There are various levels of doing asanas. You can start with simple asanas like Padmasana, Bajrasana, Trikonasana, and Vrikshasana- and with each asana, you will feel your muscles awaken.
sthiram sukham asanam
The streets have a saying everywhere “sthiram sukham asanam” which means postures should be stable and comfortable. It is important to stretch and be comfortable as only when both your brain and muscles are flexible, are they useful.
Now after stretching those muscles, don't think it's over. The journey has only just begun. Yoga is not about only asanas. Welcome to the next gate of Breathing—where every inhale and exhale is a melody of serenity, it is a conscious act of self-awareness. It is very important to control and focus on your breath.
But remember that you should never ever breathe through your mouth during asanas. Yoga does not count as an aerobic exercise. As you learned earlier, asanas are all about being comfortable and that is why you should never push yourself to the point where you have to open your mouth to breathe while doing any asanas.
Yoga does not count as an aerobic exercise.
There are many breathing techniques—pranayama, kapalabhati, anulom vilom which you can practice to focus on the breath.
Having mastered the art of breath, it's time to venture into the hallowed halls of Meditation. It's not just about sitting cross-legged and chanting "Om" (though that can certainly be part of it!). It's a journey inward, finding stillness amid chaos, and peace during turmoil.
Through meditation, you'll learn to cultivate mindfulness and awareness in every moment, from the stillness of your asana to the rhythm of your breath. Here are some tips for meditating (if you really find it difficult to sit still like me ) that I learned from a yoga guru.
First and foremost, let us address the elephant in the room: to clear your mind. It's Easier said than done.
Step one: empty stomach, full heart, can't lose.
Meditation should be done on an empty stomach, not empty enough to hear growls of hunger, but certainly not after a feast fit for a king. And always, on a mat.
Step two: weary mind.
The next important thing to keep in mind is to meditate when you're a little tired, but not so tired that you're dozing. You can practice your routine in the mornings, after a day's work, or upon returning from the trials and tribulations of the world.
After you close your eyes think that you simply don't exist. Don't think about the past or the future.
Step three: close your eyes
When you close your eyes, everything around you disappears! This is a natural occurrence when you wish to absorb something since sight is the sense that most actively engages with the external environment.
After you close your eyes think that you simply don't exist. Don't think about the past or the future, what you said to somebody, what somebody told you, embarrassing moments you had. Nothing, since it's meaningless to think about these things when you don't exist.
Focus clearly on your breathing and you will start to realise your problems fading away. It will take time initially but you will get used to it after practicing more. A modest twenty to thirty minutes will do but don't drag it for too long, as it will make you lethargic and inactive. Remember, MEDITATION IN MODERATION.
This yogic road is magical. As you travel, feel the weight of stress and anxiety melt away. There is ultimately one thing that it will teach you- Balance. Modern societies have disregarded the importance of balance. The only way to utilize your competency and intelligence is by maintaining an undisturbed balance within yourself, regardless of external circumstances.
I hope it has made you discover the profound interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit—a unity that transcends time and space.
Great one