Jain Center Minnesota MN 2007 07 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center Minnesota USA
Publisher: USA Jain Center Minnesota

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2. NIYAM. The next step, after having mastered the five disciplines of Yam, is to prepare and set up the background for imbibing the knowledge of Yog. There are five steps which together constitute Niyam
are:
•
•
Penance
Study of self
Surrendering to Divine
The above five steps are generally entailed in whatever one normally does by way of religious observances. If these are observed properly and in the true spirit, the study of Yog becomes easier. The first and second components, Yam and Niyam constitute the foundation bases to the study of Yog and a strong foundation is necessary for a strong superstructure.
Purification of Body (internally and externally)
Contentment
3. ASAN. Objective here is to prepare the body and make it fit enough to pursue the study of Yog. There are two types of Asana:
Meditative Postures
Health-Restoring Postures
Padmasan, Ardh-padmasan, Sidhasan, Vajrasan, Sukhasan and Go-dohikasan are examples of meditative postures. These are conducive to rendering the body fit for meditative pursuit. It is advisable to gradually build up to stage where one can maintain the same posture in complete comfort for period of three hours, uninterrupted. This is known as Asan-siddhi (Mastering of Posture).
Some of the health-restoring and health maintaining Asans are Pavan Muktasan, Sarvangasan, Halasan, Bhujangasan and Dhanurasan. These Asans (postures) should be studied under strict supervision of a teacher and should be done only for short periods of two to four minutes each.
4. PRANAYAM. Once the physical body is trained and developed, the next step is to develop the life force. The discipline leading to development of the life-force is called PRANAYAM. This literally translates as "accentuation of the life energy".
There are four basic breathing disciplines:
Exhaling, Inhaling, Holding breath at full inhalation and holding at full exhalation. The inhaling and exhaling has to be done in a correct manner and to the full capacity.
There are many more breathing disciplines derived from the above four basic ones, such as:
Nadishodhan Pranayam
⚫ Bhastika Pranayam
Shitli Pranayam
•
Suryabhedan Pranayam
• Chandrabhedan Pranayam
The study of Pranayam must be carried out under constant and strict supervision and guidance of a teacher or Guru; under no circumstances one must attempt to study on ones own, using books.
It must be noted that while food, water, and air are three very basic necessities for the substance of life, air is the most important of these three. One can not be deprived of air even for two or three minutes, whereas, one can live without food and even without water for days. Therefore, breathing discipline (Pranayam) is of great importance.
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