Yoga is not just a set of exercises, it is workout for body, mind and soul

 On the 21st of June, Summer Solstice in Northern Hemisphere, as has been for several years in a row now, millions across the globe will assemble in schools, parks, offices, educational and scientific institutions, and various establishments and unison they will perform yoga. The world will become a Yoga Mat under the azure sky. The United Nations has not only endorsed observing International Yoga Day but has given a major thumbs-up to this ancient Indian practice and has taken up popularising it across the universe.

A symphony synchronizing the body, mind and soul

As a music lover, one fondly recalls the iconic lyrics

of Across the Universe by the Beatles.

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup

They slither wildly as they slip away across the Universe

Pools of sorrow and waves of joy are drifting

through my opened mind

Possessing and caressing me

Jai Guru Deva, Om

Jai Guru Deva implies the victory of the big mind. Om, when fragmented into three syllables – AAA (the hubbub that emanates from the abdomen), UUU (the reverberation emerging from the chest region) and MMM (the resonance materialising from the head region).

Yoga is a kind of exercise in which a practitioner locomotes the human body into several distinct and diverse positions to attain physical fitness and flexibility. While performing yogic exercises the sadhak has to invariably pay attention to the breath.

Metaphysical demeanour

The root of the word yoga lies in the Sanskrit word – yuj – authentically meaning to conjoin. While Lord Shiva is believed to be the original progenitor of this ancient science, Maharishi Patanjali revealed to humanity the intricacies of yogic science through his treatise Patanjali Yoga Sutra.

An Insight into Shirshasana

The asana involves inverting the body, with hands, neck and shoulders bearing the entire weight of the body. The first step is the Vajrasana. Through a series of fluid steps to be executed at a slow, measured pace, the practitioner moves from Vajrasana to the final pose where the legs are held straight up, toes pointing upwards and the arms cradling the head, with the elbows bent at right angles for further support.

As a practitioner holds the pose, it works against the pressure of gravity, assisting in draining impure blood from the lower limbs and also enhancing blood flow to the head and neck regions.

Moving out the asana has also to be done at the same measured pace to prevent injuries. This involves tracing all the steps backwards until one moves into Shishuasana. It is advisable to rest the body in Shavasana following this asana.

Beginners are advised to practice Shirshasana at the end of their yogic asana programme while advanced practitioners can perform it either at the beginning or the end of a yogic session. It may be mentioned that the asana is very powerful to awaken the Sahasrara chakra, which is responsible for the lofty position this sovereign among asanas enjoys.

However, there is a word of caution. Shirshasana is contra-indicated for those individuals suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease,  kidney problems,  chronic glaucoma, and host of other diseases. It should neither be practised during pregnancy nor menstruation. The practitioner should learn the craft under the careful guidance and supervision of a trained yoga instructor.

(The writer is the CEO of Chattisgarh East Railway Ltd, East west Railway Ltd and is a faculty of the Art of Living)