Essence and Substance of Yoga

SR No.: 007592
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S M Jain
Publisher: S M Jain
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 91
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 1 MB

Page 18

(iii) Asana (Posture):
(iv)
“स्थिरसुखासनम् ||46 || "
According to Patanjali posture during yoga practices should be such that one can remain stable, steady and comfortable during the required period. Patanjali did not prescribe, advocate and even mention any of the eighty four odd postures being advocated frequently by yoga teachers as a must for yoga practices. These are being propagated for commercial considerations as medical recipes. The justification given for eighty-four odd Asanas (Postures) is that they are condensed from eighty-four lakhs of postures which is the number of various life-forms (yonis) and that adopting postures of various animals will endow the qualities and efficiency of respective animals and birds. This is absurd and unscientific. The various natural postures of animals and birds are necessary for them for their function. Human beings have evolved further out of these lower stages and accordingly their body functions are different. Copying animal postures is anachranic and harmful. In addition to odd postures weird forced muscular contractions (Bandhas) and gestures (Mudras) are also prescribed and practised. In first Bandha Muscles of anus are contracted. In second chin is pressed hard against chest such that arteries of neck are closed. In third belly is forcefully lifted up and lowered. These are forced, umatural and harmful. The eight gestures (Mudras) are very odd. In Kechari Mudra (Moving-in-void gesture), the ferenum of tongue is cut and tongue is gradually elongated to reach to the middle of eyebrows. In another Vajidi Mudra (Thunder bolt gesture) ejaculation has to be stopped while in actual intercourse and if it happens then the semen and sperms have to be sucked back along with ovum of woman which is impossible. It is shameful that such obscene practices have also been included in Yoga under the influence of "Vam Marg" (the cult of perverted). The more important and potent first two steps of Yama and Niyama have almost been relegated or even abandoned. Patanjali did not even mention gestures (Mudras) which are also being emphasized and propagated along with Asanas.
Pranayam :
“ तस्मिन सति श्वासप्रश्वास सयोर्गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामाः । 149 । ।”
"To stop frequency of breathing is Pranayama. Stopping is cessation of breath which is an attribute of life itself and only dead
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