Pratyahara is the fifth of the eight limbs of Yoga. A yogi should master each of the eight limbs to be a complete yogi, one who can attain Samadhi at will for an extended period. We have already touched upon the first four limbs of Yoga, namely Yama, Niyama, Asana, and Pranayama. Pratyahara, the fifth…
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In the West, Yoga is often misunderstood as just a different way of physical exercising. So it is no wonder Pranayama is misunderstood as a breathing exercise. Prana in Sanskrit means the cosmic life force. So Prana is what makes the cosmos come alive. All living organisms inhale Prana as part of their breath. Ayama…
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In the West, Yoga is totally misunderstood as a set of physical exercises. On the contrary, Yoga is the complete science about attaining the highest level of meditation, Samadhi, and experiencing God. Moreover, it is time-tested, well-structured, documented, and experienced by thousands of yogis over many centuries. To attain Samadhi, one needs a completely tranquil…
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Most people take Pranayama as breath control. Well, they may not be wrong because one does seem to be controlling the breath. However, when one breathes, Prana also gets inhaled along with oxygen. So Pranayama makes use of breathing to channel the flow of Prana. Pranayama can be broken into two words in two ways:…
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Let me tell you a beautiful story that has been adapted from the writings of Swami Vivekanand. Once upon a time, there was a sannyasi who had been practicing yoga and meditation for many years. As a result, he had developed many yogic powers. Once while he was meditating under a tree, a crow and…
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Namaste, the Indian way of greeting with folded hands, is beautiful and the most respectful and meaningful. In the simplest terms, Namaste comes from the Sanskrit words “Namah,” meaning bow or pray, and “te,” which means “to you.” However, who one is bowing to has a much deeper meaning. Hindus believe in one Supreme Reality, Brahman, the…
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Prāna is associated with the movement of breath, but Prāna is not the breath itself. That is why it is incorrect to think of Prānāyāma just as a breathing exercise. When you breathe, you inhale and exhale. But what makes you breathe? Medical science tells us that the movement of the diaphragm muscle makes the…
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The mercurial nature of the mind has always been a challenge for almost everyone. From the mighty Kings and warriors of ancient India to the novices on the path of Yoga, everyone struggles to keep the mind focused on something spiritual. It is not that you cannot make the mind concentrate on something. On the…
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