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About Fresh Mind Yoga
Fresh mind yoga fundamentally constitutes a spiritual practice rooted in an exceptionally nuanced science, aimed at fostering harmony between the mind and body. It represents both an art and a science of living healthily. The term ‘Yoga’ originates from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’, which translates to ‘to join’, ‘to yoke’, or ‘to unite’.
Dhyana
In the Bhagavad Gita, meditation serves as a pathway to spiritual progression, necessitating adherence to three ethical principles: Satya (truthfulness), Ahimsa (non-violence), and Aparigraha (non-greed). According to Huston Smith, Dhyana within this venerable Hindu scripture can encompass a broad spectrum of spiritual focuses.
These may include the divine’s representation in religious symbols or human forms, natural inspirations such as a snow-capped mountain, a tranquil lake bathed in moonlight, or the vibrant hues of dawn or dusk. It might also involve the melodic intonation and rhythmic repetition of sounds or syllables, like Om, whether chanted aloud or contemplated in silence. The Bhagavad Gita guides the meditator towards withdrawing the mind from external sensory interruptions and disturbances, instead immersing it in the inner spirit and the essence of one’s soul. This journey aims at reaching Samadhi, a blissful state achieved through deep meditation.
In ancient Buddhist texts, dhyana (Sanskrit: ध्यान) or jhana (Pali: पाली) represents a critical aspect of mental training (bhavana), often interpreted as meditation. This practice involves drawing the mind away from its habitual reactions to sensory perceptions, “incinerating” impurities, and culminating in a “state of supreme balance and consciousness (upekkha-sati-parisuddhi).” Dhyana might have constituted the foundational practice in early Buddhism, alongside a range of related techniques that collectively foster ultimate attentiveness and detachment.
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Pranayama
Pranayama, an ancient technique of breath control, originates from yogic practices in India. It involves managing your breathing in various styles and durations. Recently, it has become more popular in the Western world due to the numerous health benefits associated with pranayama practice.
Pranayama is referenced in verse 4.29 of the Bhagavad Gita, which describes how some individuals, favoring the method of controlling breath to enter into a state of trance, engage in a practice where the motion of the breath being exhaled is merged with the breath being inhaled, and the inhaled breath into the exhaled, eventually reaching a state of trance by ceasing all breaths. Additionally, there are those who limit their intake of food and dedicate the act of exhaling back into itself as an offering.
Balasana
Balasana, a yoga posture, originates from the Sanskrit words “bala” meaning “child,” and “asana,” meaning “pose.”
To begin this pose, a practitioner sits back on their heels, keeping the knees hip-width apart, with palms resting on the thighs. Then, the torso is lowered onto the thighs as the arms extend overhead, allowing the forehead and palms to touch the floor. Subsequently, the arms are drawn back alongside the body, palms facing upwards. It’s essential for the practitioner to relax the shoulders and neck, breathing through the nostrils while maintaining the pose for one to two minutes or as long as comfort permits. In English, Balasana is known as the child’s pose.
The Child’s Pose, or Balasana, is a restorative yoga posture widely recognized for its ability to ground, calm, and relax. It soothes the mind and alleviates stress while gently stretching the hips, thighs, and lower back. Additionally, it provides relief from back pain through its back-stretching benefits. Known alternatively as Shashankasana or Garbhasana, this pose acts as a recuperative exercise following intense activities, helping to gradually decelerate the breathing. It serves as an excellent, soothing interlude between more vigorous poses, improving posture, diminishing pain, and enhancing overall health.
Savasana
“Savasana is considered the most relaxing pose and is typically performed at the conclusion of a yoga session, serving as a cooldown posture. Essentially, it is meditation in a lying-down position, enabling awareness of our inner selves while the body remains physically at rest.” Shavasana has its origins in ancient Hindu and Buddhist traditions. It was considered a distinct meditation practice wherein practitioners envisioned themselves at the very moment of death. The term “Shavasana,” when translated into English, signifies the “corpse pose.”
Shavasana is designed to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. In this pose, breathing becomes deeper, allowing the day’s stresses to melt away. The practitioner lets go of all other thoughts and releases any mental effort. During Shavasana, practitioners experience a state of blissful neutrality and contemplate their practice. Ensuring comfort is crucial in this pose; even a minor discomfort can become a significant distraction. Shavasana effectively reduces stress and tension.
Surya Namaskar
Surya Namaskar serves as a comprehensive exercise for the entire body, enhancing flexibility, strength, and stamina. This sequence of yoga incorporates various poses and breath control techniques. It elongates your muscles, contributing to increased flexibility, and simultaneously develops your physical strength. Furthermore, it gradually improves your endurance. The tradition of Surya Namaskar finds its origins in the Vedic era within India. These ancient scriptures, known as the Vedas, lay the foundational principles of Hinduism. Within these texts, the sun is revered as a deity, and offering salutations to it is regarded as a means to pay tribute to its strength and vitality.
The original Surya Namaskar was not a series of yoga postures but rather a compilation of sacred verses recited at sunrise by a Brahmin priest along with the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra. This entire ritual comprises 132 passages and extends over an hour in duration, culminating in the priest performing a full prostration, lying face down on the ground in the direction of the sun.
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1. Bakasana (Crane Pose)
Bakasana derives from a Sanskrit word where ‘Baka’ translates to ‘crane’ and ‘asana’ signifies pose or posture. The ultimate stance of this asana mimics a crane, thus earning it the name “crane pose.” Bakasana, also known as the crane pose in yoga, represents an arm-balancing posture, exerting significant pressure on the arms and wrists. Benefits of Bakasana may include the release of negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, and depression from the body. It can foster a heightened sense of body awareness, aiding in stability and concentration.
Parsva Bakasana pose includes variations of the Bakasana, where ‘Parsva’ signifies side and Bakasana refers to crane pose. Therefore, it is also known as the side crane pose. And Parsva Bakasana yoga is categorized as an intermediate level of yoga, involving twisting and balancing on the arms. It closely resembles the Bakasana pose, with both arms positioned in front, but unlike the crane pose, both legs extend to one side.
2. Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand Pose)
This posture entails elevating the legs above the heart, promoting the return of blood from the organs and enhancing overall circulation. Sarvangasana is a pose wherein the entire body is balanced on the shoulders and is thus also referred to as a Shoulder stand.
Sarvangasana consists of three words: “Sarva,” “anga,” and “asana.” “Sarva” translates to “all,” “anga” to “body part,” and “asana” to “posture.” As its name suggests, Sarvangasana encompasses the entirety of the body.
Referred to as the Queen of asanas, it upholds the physical and mental well-being of an individual. Asanas involving postural inversion were not traditionally practiced, as these postures are absent from the three classic hatha yoga texts. They have gained popularity more recently, thanks to increased visibility through social networks. It stands as the most effective means to harmonize the body and mind, potentially aiding in the attainment of peace, contentment, and happiness.
3. Sirsasana (Headstand Pose)
The Sanskrit name for headstand is Sirsasana, where “Sirs” means Head and “Asana” means “Posture”. Sirsasana is the inverted pose wherein the person stands on the head with legs above the ground facing the sky, and is the advanced posture of yoga. This is the pinnacle of yoga practice, where stabilizing the head takes precedence. Once the head is stabilized, the rest of the body is supported in an inverted position using the forearms. Good forearm strength, focus, and precision are essential for mastering the handstand pose. It’s crucial to remember, during the performance of Sirsasana or headstand pose, to maintain natural curves to prevent neck injuries.
Sirsasana enables the blood to flow downward from the legs to the brain, reducing its flow to the legs while increasing it toward the brain. As the brain acts as the automatic regulator of blood circulation, it restricts excessive blood flow toward itself and distributes it to the upper and middle body. The inverted posture aims to enhance concentration during meditation and activate the Sushumna Nadi (central pathway through which energies flow) of the body to awaken humans’ psychic abilities.
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