Yoga is helpful only when it’s done in harmony with the principles of vastu. The right direction will ensure that the mind is at peace and the body is in a state of relaxation. This, says Khushdeep Bansal, will help us reach God
Many of us know that the regular practice of yoga induces positive physical and mental health. This benefits you immensely and has the power to change your life by inducing calmness and enhancing productivity. One must understand that yoga is more than a set of exercises; it is about realigning the energies within us, and Vastu Shastra is a treatise on structuring and using energy beneficently. Your home is where they both meet.
looking into why yoga is recommended clearly shows that our modern life is filled with stress — lifestyle-related diseases and a plethora of issues that leave us with little time to unwind and rejuvenate. Yoga is the perfect solution for both de-stressing as well as keeping ourselves fit. It also has the added advantage of being hassle-free as it can be performed at home with just a yoga mat.
In fact, the various yogasanas, the breathing exercises and the surya namaskar are a complete workout for your body. The exercises can also be modified to suit an individual’s requirements. However, in spite of dedicatedly practising yoga, some people feel they do not gain adequate results. At the same time, there are many who spend minimal time in performing yoga, but are able to derive maximum benefits. When you look for solutions, there are many schools of yoga and countless teachers you can reach out to. You may learn and be instructed about the techniques and benefits, but apart from Vastu Shastra no one else can tell you the most suitable place to practise asanas. Yoga performed in compliance with vastu directions derives optimal results.
The Vedas, which are the ancient Indian scriptures on life and spirituality, speak about the practice of yoga. These scriptures prescribe that vastu should be used to harmonise the elements of nature in the home. Every element of nature, such as sunlight and temperature, influences the energies in a structure, albeit subtly. The energy balance is attained when there are equal proportions of all the ‘five elements’ or panch tattva — space, air, fire, water and earth — present within a structure.
Compliance with vastu principles is what enables energy fields to attain balance in accordance with the various elements in nature. When this structural balance inside the home matches with the universal balance outside, the activities of the inhabitants are harmonious. According to vastu, this leads to a life with fewer conflicts and obstacles. Today, interestingly many architects and interior designers are adopting the principles of vastu.
According to the Vastu Shastra, a home is divided into 16 directional zones (called 16 vastu zones) and each one is allocated a specific purpose/activity. The right direction will ensure that the mind is at peace and the body is in a state of relaxation so that it rises towards the supreme soul. There are two excellent zones for yoga. One is northeast, which is the zone of wisdom, meditation and clarity of mind. In vastu, this zone is ideal for meditation. The other is south-southeast, which is the zone of strength and confidence. For deriving maximum benefits from yoga, you must ensure that you are practising in the northeast or south-southeast vastu zone.
If you have enough space at your home, it is best to set aside an area where you can practise yoga. This will provide optimum benefit when kept in the northeast zone of the house as this side helps you connect with your own self. The south-southeast is another good area for performing yoga, particularly the physical exercises or asanas. This zone helps you gain confidence, strength, energy and power. Here, you can also perform pranayam (breathing exercises), as this zone provides positive energies for strengthening an individual’s mental powers.Avoid west-northwest, south-southwest and east-southeast zones.
These will have an adverse effect on your health. Also, you may find it difficult to practise yoga in these zones without experiencing discomfort.Practising yoga in the appropriate zone will enhance your mental faculties and transform you both mentally and physically by imparting a positive outlook, an emotionally-stable personality with mental equilibrium. You can then experience the unity of the body, mind and breath.
The writer is a vastu expert based in Delhi
