The Spiritual Health

To live a yoga lifestyle is more than just attending a yoga class once a week. Although yoga asanas is beneficial to the body, not much will be gained from such a small amount of practice. To truly make progress upon one’s spiritual path, a daily sadhana or spiritual practice is a must. It is the only way to bring the fastest results to self realization.

The three main aspects in maintaining a yoga lifestyle are as follows:

Yama and Niyama – The first and second parts of the eight fold yoga path of Patanjali

Asana and Pranayama – daily physical and breathing exercise

Right Diet – Sattvic Foods (Pure and simple wholesome foods)

For an aspirant or Sadhaka, the first thing that must be accomplished is developing a daily routine.  Of course the routine will be different for each person depending on their daily activities. The fastest result can be obtained by one who can devote their whole time and day to the practice of yoga and daily routine. For a great progress, it is important to write out a daily routine and follow it with resolve and dedication. Sincerity and regularity in Sadhana are the secrets of success in the spiritual path. A simple daily routine such as; Rise up during the ambrosial hours, Yogic morning cleansing routine, Meditation and Japa, Asana and Pranayama should be planned.

According to CE Patanjali, there are eight aspects of a yogic lifestyle in the yoga sutra and called it the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The first is Yamas which is the attitude of one towards others and the world around. Under this, there are five yamas; Ahimsa or non-violence, Satya or Truthfulness, Asteya or non-stealing, Bramacharya or non-lust and Aparigraha or non-possessiveness. The second is Niyamas which is how one treat oneself and one’s attitude towards himself or herself. There are five Niyamas; Sauca or cleanliness, Santosha or contentment, Tapas or austerity, Svadhyaya or study of the secret text and of one’s self and Isvarapranidhama or living with an awareness of the divine. The third is Asanas or physical poses. The fourth is Pranayama or breathing exercise. The fifth consist of Prathayara or withdrawal of the senses. The sixth is the Dharana or concentration while the seventh is the Dhyana or meditation. The eight consist of Samadhi or enlightenment.

The practice of yoga does not only focus on physical posture to improve the body, but deals with all the aspects of our being and our lives. It is concerned about the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of an individual as well as his environment and relationship with other creatures. Real practice leads to deeper self-knowledge, love and respect towards other people and creatures, cleaner environment, healthy diet and union with the divine.