The posting of meaning

In a culture devoted to the pleasures of the senses, it can be difficult, but rewarding at the same time, practice pratyahara, ie the detachment of the senses. Pratyahara in Sanskrit means, "shoot" and is the fifth of eight stages of the classical system of Patanjali. In practice, this technique shows a detachment from the world around them, directing your awareness, usually directed outwards, inwards towards the self. 

Following this effort, the five senses stand apart from the real world. This new state can avoid the distractions of the environment, to focus awareness dispersed and otherwise prepare the sixth and seventh stage of the classic practice: dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation). Vyas, the first commentator of Patanjali, with a metaphor, brings our senses to a swarm of bees, making a parallel between our awareness and summit queen: "As the bees follow the flight of the queen, stopping when it stops, so directions also interrupt their activity when the mind rests. 

The scale of 

A practical technique for achieving the pratyahara is documented in the "Yoga Yajnavalkya Gita (" Song of Yajnavalkya yoga "), an educational dialogue between the sage Yajnavalkya and his wife Gargi. The technique of Yajnavalkya, called vayu pratyahara ( "posting of the wind") or prana pratyahara ( "posting of the strength of life"), is to focus your awareness and your breath in a sequence of 18 vital points (marma) of the body. 

The 18 of Yajnavalkya marma (the Ayurvedic tradition indicates 107) are: toes, ankles, the central part of the calf, "the roots of the calves, knees, the middle part of the thighs, perineum," the center of the body, reproductive organs, navel, center of heart, base of the throat, root of tongue, root of nose, eyes, point between the eyebrows, forehead and apex of the head. Yajnavalkya advised to follow the sequence dall'apice head to toes, but many prefer to do the opposite, climbing from bottom to top. 

You can use the "posting of the wind" as a preparation for pranayama or pranayama practice in itself. Marma I can also be used for therapeutic purposes, since each point is in line energy with a particular body organ or apparatus (nervous, circulatory, etc.).. In this way, the practice becomes a kind of "massage marma" with beneficial effects in the area of the body concerned.

Care with the notes

We all know how Nada Yoga, or Yoga of Sound, this is an ancient technique of Indian music scale in the West, beginning with the seventies, The basic principle that every "element" (men, animals, plants, minerals, molecules, atoms, etc..) Has its own natural vibration. 

When you alter this rate, you create a state of malaise and, in some cases; this may be the start of an illness. The Nada Yoga (see the book in the Media page. 112) is to learn to use their voices and rhythms outside as healing tools, as well as provide useful visualization exercises. All this improves the psychosomatic conditions, eliminating anxiety and stress, promoting relaxation, inner peace and which is derived from Sanskrit, refers to the prank (vital energy that largely assimilated breathing), while the syllable "from" refers to the internal heat that sustains life. According to the teachings of "the sound is produced when heat and power come together: for example, when we translate thoughts into words, the body temperature rises slightly." 

Good Vibrations 

With his method (which he called Nada Brahma System) has unearthed the ancient therapy of musical Nada Yoga. What happens to the vibration of the notes issued by the voice or an instrument comes in line with the relevant parts of the body of the listener. The basic principle of this technique that every human being has its own personal sound, called "tonic" (also called "personal music", "Dan sound" or "voiceprint"), whose height stable over time and changes occur only when major changes in the life of the subject. "The height and the stamp of personal voice, he explained in his lectures may vary depending on the emotions and the level of awareness. 

For example, fear "takes to the stomach" and the voice choked at the diaphragm, while the anger raises the tone of an octave and brings awareness to the root of the nose. Continuous stress change the voice on an ongoing basis, sign that the person no longer herself. Through special exercises developed by you can discover your basic note (see box p. 86). And intoning, you can find harmony with our deepest I pi ù. 

The human body, musical score 

The human body vibrates in three octaves, from the lower tonic, which usually lower note that we are able to sing without effort (the eighth series of sounds ranging from a C to C above). The eighth low vibration, the average at the center of the forehead (third eye) that is high above. The exercises of Yoga Nada using mainly the eighth, the mental part that 

Every eighth can be divided into 22 units, called shut (items that affect the emotions), so in the human body there are 66 shut, through which they manifest the energies, both positive and negative, that our emotional awareness. The blockade and the consequent accumulation pi ù whether these chronic energy in certain shut can cause physical and psychological. Working in music on these points, we can control and change our state of mind and, through the pitch of the tonic staff; we can remove the power to dissolve any crystallized and illnesses. 

That music affects the emotions, you always know. However, what differentiates the technique of Nada Yoga from those developed in the West that the notes in this case are personal. As every person has a tinge of odor and color of the Incarnation, so each of us has height, volume and timbre of his voice, however, modified by emotions. The Yoga of Sound is to find the personal tone, from singing to heal by itself. 

The surprising result (there is more that thirty cases of diseases cured so), especially if the notes are given with their Indian names Sa-Ra-Ga-Ma-Pa-dha-Ni-Sa, rather than with our Do - Ra-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Si-Do. Indian notes, in fact, function as mantras, body and mind by protecting against diseases.

Sound Effect YOGA

Sound Effects 

The world is full of noises. Many of us are accustomed and unknowingly suffer damage; others have developed hypersensitivity and are annoyed. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to isolate the noise, and then here is how to make good what is not, or how to use the noise in practice daily meditation. 

Hearing neutral 

When searching for a deep concentration, it is good to let the sounds unpleasant to take a value similar to that of the breath, emotions, thought and bodily sensations. This exercise concentration voluntary tests our tendency to distraction. The difficulty lies in the fact that, despite our intention to focus and maintain concentration on one point, the mind continues to follow its usual patterns and get lost in its activities. Letting the sounds free by our awareness, without being involved in analysis, opinions and preferences, we can train to remain calm despite all the pressures that would normally nervous, distract or disturb us. 

Tune 

The first step towards the intelligent use of sound to focus on what you hear. So, as awareness is focused on breathing in meditation, in the same way, attention is drawn to anything that comes to his ears, trying to grasp the sounds that usually are beyond us. As you slow down to listen to the thoughts, each ear is a kind of antenna, ready to collect impressions near and far. In addition, you come to notice that every place has its own "signature sound", only as a fingerprint. 

Decipher the noise 

Every day we have different sounds: the hum of the refrigerator, the roar of the car, the ticking of a clock, etc.. The vigilant attention can "transform" into meditation these noises. To experience it, choose a time of day, you are at home and not likely to be interrupted for at least 20 minutes, and then take a comfortable seated position. First, focus your awareness on the breath. After a few minutes, shifting the emphasis on hearing. Resisting the desire to get involved from the sounds around you, with limited analysis. Note how some noises arise and disappear quickly or feel once, while others are constant and recurring. Note the different qualities of each sound and how it manifests in you the desire to associate them with mental images or emotions. As you tune, cultivates a state of consciousness detached and indifferent, which permit to sound around you with no effort to penetrate into your consciousness. If you notice that your attention was caught by a particular noise or maybe you have begun to daydream, Take note of this and back to a state of detached awareness. The first time distractions are frequent, but the exercise should thin. The important thing is to become aware of their involvement and develop the ability to detach. Once tested, the "sound meditation" at home, try it in other places, for example to work, the gym, at school or on the road. If you move with public transport, put into practice during the move. Initially, the noises of the city may distract, but with time, the relationship with the first sounds that disturbed you will change radically. 


Acceptance 

This type of tuning is useful at any time. You need a real effort to concentrate the minds of the inexperienced and beginner vigilant about the most common sensory stimuli. Undergo a series of auditory stimuli; we tend to minimize awareness of everyday sounds, unless they are special. To achieve this we use various tricks, ignoring what is normal to reduce distraction and nervousness. Many noises are considered incredibly annoying (for example, the refuse collection vans that go to 5:30 in the morning). However, the most difficult thing is to accept in a spirit of equanimity. It does not mean that we do not appropriate, but not be overwhelmed by the reactions that cause. 


Awareness 

Some Buddhist scholars, with increasing wisdom we are able to maintain serenity and inner peace regardless of external sensations, including sounds unpleasant. Instead of being overwhelmed from a negative noise, learn to leave this slide vibration without there scratch. So we develop a pure listening to mind and heart. Instill awareness and restraint (yama) is equivalent in our ears to focus on conscious breathing, and on the muscles while we perform the asana. Both these practices may become a means to develop awareness and abandonment, as health promoters.

A post of breath

It's called Sudarshan Kriya, a breathing technique developed in 1982 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (who has nothing to do with the homonymous musician who inspired the Beatles one of the most popular teachers in India and famous throughout the world. 

The method is inspired by the ancient tradition, but is extremely effective and now, thanks to its ability to help body and mind to free themselves from mental and physical tension, stress, anxiety, anger, fear and various psychosomatic disorders. During the practice, every cell is deeply oxygenated and recharged for a new energy, with very good effect on the mind, which is beginning to feel the stiffness of their schedules and the need to rid. "This is a cyclical breathing combined with sound - says Roberto Sanlorenzo, teacher of the" Art of Life "and a member of the International Scientific Committee - all'inspirazione alternates the exhalation without pausing, in a very sensitive issue, following the natural rhythms. The sounds are different, designed to interact with the mind, relax. 

In a first phase of respiration, it follows a relaxation and meditation, in part, using the mantra to achieve a state of profound neglect. The Sudarshan Kriya, once learned from a teacher specialist and after proper training, can be practiced independently, but must be done consistently to benefit from all its positive aspects. With just a few minutes a day, in addition to improving physical health, a perceptible increase in energy, of enthusiasm, of self-confidence, creativity and mental clarity. 

Not only that, you will notice also a development of interpersonal relations and the release of negative emotions leading to initiation of healing from emotional trauma. Currently, this breathing is taught in over 140 nations in "Art of Life." "The lack of spirituality - says Ravi Shankar - on the one hand cause depression and feelings of abandonment, aggression and violence on the other. The Sudarshan Kriya helps to quiet the negative feelings. That is why also applies in prison. “This technique was also effective in helping the survivors of September 11 and the tsunami to overcome the deep trauma that these events have caused.”The goal is to be joyful - concludes Shankar - learning to relax and be spontaneous. 

We are very sensitive but sad, others joyous but superficial. "Art of Life" is coming into contact with them and with deep joy. 


Shankar, the master of Sudarshan Kriya 

Since childhood, Sri Ravi Shankar experiences of deep meditation states and expresses a particular predisposition to spirituality. During adolescence receive the teachings of various masters and become a scholar of Vedic literature. At only 17 years completes his training in Modern Science, acquiring an advanced degree. 

In 1982 he began to teach the Sudarshan Kriya and still travels and spread the technique across the world, reminding people that it meets the great spiritual traditions have common goals and values. His simple message of love, practical wisdom and compassion continues to inspire people from all cultural backgrounds and life experience. Encourages each individual to follow his or her religion and his or her own spiritual journey, honoring and respecting the location of each

A rhythm of nature

Slow down the pace to savor the fullness of this is a way to practice smother (“contentment"), one of the five miasma (“observances") that make up the second stage (total eight) of the path of yoga Paternal. Growing smother means to realize that the serenity is relished in the present moment. When we feel unhappy, it is often because we would like the current situation is different, perhaps similar to a past event or something like that occur in the future. The practice of smother us to be satisfied and happy now, regardless of the circumstances. This does not mean giving up our lives change, but able to live fully every change, accepting the reality of things. 

Acquire serenity 

When we are in the midst of nature, we feel more happy, satisfied and serene. Perhaps because the natural environment stimulates our interest in this. The heats of the sun, singing birds, the spectacle of the clouds that gather before a storm attract the attention. The contentment that comes from the mere fact of being immersed in nature can in turn lead us to stop the search for happiness in objects that can damage the nature. The desire to buy a new pair of shoes, or any other consumer good, may arise from a feeling of dissatisfaction. When, however, to appease our unhappiness, we use the remedy shoppers buying items, which we have not really needed, contribute to environmental degradation. Indeed, polluting the air, water and soil with harmful emissions and wastes coming from industrial production of many consumer goods, impoverish natural resources. But when I feel the true happiness, perhaps triggered by an incident that has put us in close contact with nature, do not feel the need to win "extra elements" to compensate the dissatisfactions of life. From this point of view, practice is to live smother ethics of yoga in order to promote the protection of the planet today, also in view of the future. Santos The exercise provides a way to experience the "pleasure" while you are immersed in nature. The exercise also provides an opportunity to truly understand the meaning of happiness and, at the same time, restoring a loving relationship with the earth. 

Connect with nature in order to rediscover the happiness 

This exercise is essentially a meditation to be performed while you walk by repeating the mantra: "walking with smother is happy." The exercise consists of three parts: the preparation, the walk and the conclusion. 

Preparations in silence 

Choose a place outdoors where you can perform the exercise in silence and without interruption for 20-30 minutes. You can choose a path through the woods, in a city park or on a beach. At this stage, let the silence teach you to enjoy happiness. Replace the noise that echoes in your mind with the inner voice of the mantra and the symphony of sounds of nature around you. Initially, devotes several minutes to heat the body and mind relaxation. Perform gentle movements (like turning your back, open your arms up and on the sides, stretch your back and rear thigh muscles). Then close your eyes and abandoned now with awareness of body and breath. Finally, turn our attention to the sounds of nature, as the wind lifts the leaves, or waves on the shore s'infrangono. Try to establish a connection with the landscape and the living beings, and to feel at one with creation. 

Walks with the mantra 

At this point, yet again, in silence, the mantra, "walking with smother is happy." After the initiation of mantra, open your eyes and start walking. Proceed slowly keeping alive the attention both internal and external. Concentrates on the repetition of the mantra inside, and at the same time, observe the world around you. Slows the pace of about half that usually takes dell'andatura when stroll. Note the feelings at every step. Be aware of the earth under the feet of you and caresses your skin. Pay attention to the rhythm of the mantra, "walking with smother are happy." Try to synchronize the rhythm with the movement and breath. Let the mantra you cross and that his teachings penetrate into your body. Be careful what you try and messages that come from nature and the understanding and enrich your experience of happiness. By repeating the mantra, the movement and breath, not only able to absorb the gifts of the earth, but you will feel more prepared to smile. 

Finish in happiness 

After the walk, sit in silence and again with the breath and inner awareness. So, once again expands the meaning to embrace the world around you. Absorbing the experience of happiness ... Natural

Trataka, listen with a view

Observing children abducted in a game or listening to a fairy tale of which await the final, we can not fail to note their total concentration, absorption of all their faculties, a "state of consciousness" to their normal, no on their lives, which makes them appear even posted their own identity. At that time we fully identify what they are watching or listening to, without filters. They are an "attentive mind" and experience a real and absolute concentration, sometimes the experience leaves an indelible mark in the memory and it is not uncommon that, now adults, are able to accurately recall every detail, with the same transport. As adults things change. To get to "the" state of consciousness, we need a reverse path. Starting a great job of cleaning, get rid of knots, mental and emotional traps, "ghosts" that we created, firmly rooted in their positions, generating anxieties, fears, addictions. 


Clear your mind 

Yoga defines very well this confused state of mind and teaches how to deal with security. It is no coincidence that Trataka, of which we are today, is an integral part of the 6 Shatkarma, the practices of purification. Trataka The word in Sanskrit means "to be set one thing", the practice involves constant attention to a point chosen with gaze and eyes wide open, being careful not to bang the eyelashes. Trataka contributes to the performance of asanas to obtain equilibrium, stability, and that kind of awareness of self that arises from the absence of thoughts, images and all that usually crowd the mind. It is a way to convey the look first and then the mind on a specific point, by excluding everything else. With this method, it generates a continuous flow of energy that, over time, becomes food and refreshment for the mind. The object of the gaze can be either external to your body (something like Bahir Trataka) and internal (Antar Trataka). 


Trataka external 

Both the "Gheranda Samhita" is the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" (the treaties of traditional Hatha Yoga) provide simple suggestions about proper conduct of Trataka. As Swami Saraswati Sathyananda of Monghyr: "We must train our eyes to long so that they can be set on an object (the flame of a candle, the symbol of OM, the tip of your nose or the center between the eyebrows), also avoiding the minimum pulse of the eyelid. Until then, eyes closed, the object becomes an image acquired and firmly inside of himself. " 

Every practitioner knows, from experience, that when running an asana is necessary "to support their gaze firmly on anywhere, without meaning, without any form or attractive, so that the constant attention stabilize the position and thereby causes breathing properly. And the mind is free of unnecessary thoughts. Because of the many distractions, attractions and attachments that most people suffer in a lifetime, it becomes almost impossible to most people, try out this delicate condition of internalization that is not a prelude to sleep, but a sign of stability, self-awareness and deep peace. Making it also as a ring junction between the purely physical practices and those of the mind, Trataka highlighted as part of a merger between Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. But above all, Bahir teaches Trataka to fix, without assessment, at a point with respect to "discover" within himself, the "after-image" what remains after you have established a long thing. 


Internal Trataka 

This form induces rapidly increased introspection and exploration of the mind. Practice is blind and possibly Kechari Mudra (the gesture that connects you with the space), ie with the tongue rolled back and the tip in contact with the soft palate. In this way, it stimulates the pituitary and all the hormonal system, but it also creates an ideal condition for meditation.

Yoga is an ancient discipline

Yoga is an ancient discipline, an art thousands of years based on a harmonious development of body, mind and spirit of every human being. The very meaning of the word Yoga literally means "union" and derives from the Sanskrit root  means a union of physical and spiritual entity opposite. Body and mind, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon, these are some of opposites that the practice of yoga is to unite with the ultimate goal of bringing reconciliation and balance among them. Consequently, every human being, practicing Yoga, contributes to this cosmic balance thanks to achieve a harmonious state with the surrounding environment and a consequent sense of inner peace and wellbeing. 

His career almost 5000 years, its historical moments, its milestones, its changes and growth are described in detail in the history of this section. Yoga was born in India, but has developed, especially during the last century, around the world thanks to a number of important masters. Yogi, throughout the twentieth century, it occupied in fact to promote their business in the world, opening schools, taking seminars and conferences and contributing to the spread of this discipline and its philosophy in all regions of the planet. Practice that, without showing signs of wear or failure, continues uninterrupted today. Some of these Yogi, personalities of culture and of great spiritual depth, are described and reported within the guru of this section. 

Finally, those who want to learn the location within the historical and philosophical roots of yoga, they will find more interesting material in the basic texts of this discipline as well as in key myths that lie at the base. In the texts of this section will then be possible to find some hints on the main writings of the founding philosophy Yoga, while the myths / rituals you can read some interesting sights on the major Indian mythological characters, which will certainly arouse your curiosity and whet your imagination.