The Art of Breathing

Yoga requires one to practice the art of breathing .

I have been reading two Yoga books off late that have revealed some pretty insighful things .
Yoga Masters which draws a parallel between the Bhagwadgita and everyday Yoga . Dr Yoga that teaches how to prevent,combat and remedy everyday aches and ailments through the healing powers f Yoga. I'm more committed in my practice and its helped me understand yoga and my mind much better.Yoga - which is derived from "Yug" in sanskrit means Union - and it helps you bridge the gap between who you are and what you want to become.

If you've ever studied Indian Dance you'll know about the mudra .The Danceuse mudra that has the thumb and index finger joined . The same mudra is used while meditating in Yoga . The five fingers of each hand stand for five different aspects of our life .

The Thumb is the Universe , the index finger represents the inner self, the middle finger is the ego , the ring finger is worldy attatchments and the little finger is the mind . So for yoga mudra and meditation to be most effective - the inner self has to bend towards the universe .

We have to learn to let go of the past and the future - only then can we breather and focus on the present .

I tried this at work all of last week .At Lunch - I would sit in my chair and practice meditation for 3 minutes . It changed the entire day . Made me more focused , more involved with what I was doing at that moment instead of boiling the ocean with worries about tommorrow ..and even though the action of yoga mudra , folding my index finger and thumb and breathing was so minuscule - its impacts were large .

I know a lot of people who are sceptical about the benefits of yoga . Yoga is not something that you can see results overnight with.It requires faith in your body and mental strength above everything.It has to be nourished , encouraged and developed ..and like a sapling that you plant to grow into a sturdy tree - It changes your world view forever .And not necessarily the world ..but the eyes of the mind that you see it through.

I started Yoga on the way to achieve a goal. But the journey - changed my life so much that it change the very nature of the goal.And thats Yoga - everything is changing , everything is transient ..but your mind and strength are constant - and in the power of your breath , they shall remain safe.Like Wendy would say - The light in me recognizes the light in you , and in that light - we are one.