YOGA – the Vyayama of Choice
by Sheela Rani Chunkath
In the Gheranda Samhita, written in the 15th Century, the yogic sage Gheranda writes that the body is like an unbaked earthen pot thrown in water which will soon decay and disintegrate. The body therefore needs to be strengthened and purified by baking it in the fire of yoga.
In the dinacharya or the daily routine prescribed in ayurveda, vyayama or exercise needs to be done daily. We interpret exercises as walking, gymming, swimming etc. while these can be done because we enjoy it, I think that such activities can be no substitute for half an hour of yoga. When we are young we can get away with exercising in any manner we like, but if we need to plan for our future health, starting a yoga regimen when we are younger will keep us healthy and fit.
Yoga is the only holistic activity that involves the body and mind; and the only activity that travels from the gross to the subtle. It is called the Sarvanga Sadhana. Patanjali's yoga sutras talks not just about the various physical movements or asanas but also about how to practise asanas. Many of us have at one time or another made up our minds to get back into shape and have sincerely started out on a journey of exercise, diet and yoga. We falter and have given up on the journey many times. Consistency and practice is the keystone of a yoga regimen. The Vinyasa yoga of Krishmacharya (the late yoga guru of Chennai) starts your yoga practice at your level and capability and is therefore ideally suited for practioners of all ages and capability. They take the meaning of Patanjali’s aphorism 'Sthira Sukam Asanam' seriously. Patanjali’s yoga sutras were compiled between 300 BCE and AD 300. He was a sage who had a way with words. In just three words he summed up the entire manner in which asanas should be done. Patanjali says that the asana or posture must be firm and comfortable. There is really no point in placing your feet and legs in to an uncomfortable padmasana posture just to say you have done it. What you need to do is to do the preparatory asanas or variations that will open up your hips so that in time you can do your padmasana comfortably. Your mind should not be thinking of the pains but should instead be focused on the breath which you can do only if you are physically comfortable. Of course this does not mean you only do the Shavasana (the lying down asana) but slowly work up to more meaningful asanas which address the needs of your body and mind.
The usual exhortation made to people saying 'No pain, no gain' is completely avoided in the practice of yoga. The Vinyasa Krama yoga followed by the Krishnamacharya tradition believes that one should start the practioner in to the study of yoga from a level at which he or she is comfortable. Vinyasa krama broadly means to place the steps in a special way. Thus you are gently led up the yoga path in a manner that suits your body, your psyche and your needs. Most yoga practice sessions in the Krishnamacharya tradition are tailor-made and one on one especially for older or student in the special needs. Once you have a personal yoga practice with which you are comfortable you will most likely follows it. I remember when I had attended group yoga classes and made to go through a few rounds of a fast-paced Surya namaskar session. I couldn't get up for two days after that! Younger adults can usually manage a challenging group class. Asanas or yoga poses (for want of a better description) should not be daunting to the practitioner. Once he has done a particular asana or its modification he should have a sense of achievement and be encouraged to practice it and go forward to more challenging variations. In Yoga Makaranda, the book authored by Krishnamacharya he says "Teach what is within you; not as it applies to you. But as it applies to the one in front of you."
--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and is currently Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/