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In the modern world of new generation students and fast food habit of life, no wonder people are struck with incurable illness both mental and physical. As a panacea for all the incurable illness and inevitable stress based life style of the modern world, Yoga has a great role in this Yuga-the Kaliyuga. Yoga should be understood in the real nature. Yoga is not a magic or feat of any kind, physical or mental. Yoga is based on a sound philosophy and deep psychology. It is an educational process by which the human mind is trained to become more and more natural and weaned from the unnatural conditions of life. In Yoga we study ourselves, while in our Schools we are told to study objects. Not the study of things but a study of the very structure of the student is required by the system of Yoga, for the ‘known’ is not totally independent of the ‘knower’.
Yoga is essentially a study of self by self, which initially looks like an individual affair, a process of Self-investigation (Atma-Vichara) and Self-realization (Atma-sakshatkara). While the psychology of Yoga comprises the functions of the internal organ, and its physics is of the five great objects or Mahabhutas, the philosophy of Yoga transcends both these stages of study. Yoga is, therefore, spiritual, superphysical or supermaterial, because materiality is shed in its achievement, and consciousness reigns supreme. This is the highest object of Yoga, where the individual and the universe do not stand apart as two entities but come together in a fraternal embrace.
The aim of Yoga is to raise the status of the individual to the cosmic level and to abolish the false difference between the individual and the cosmic. Yoga is search for Truth in its ultimate reaches and above its relative utility. Adequate preparations have to be made for this adventure. We have to become honest before Truth, and not merely in the eyes of our friends. This openness before the Absolute is the meaning behind the observance of what Yoga calls Yamas, as a course of self-discipline which one imposes upon oneself for attaining that moral nature consistent with the demands of Truth.
A Yoga student is always happy, and is never worried or vexed. Yoga prescribes Santosha or contentment in whatever condition one is placed. Many of our illnesses are due to discontent. Contentment follows as a result of the acceptance of the wisdom of God.
If God is wise, there is nothing to worry about, because in His wisdom He keeps us in the best of circumstances. Many changes have taken place in our lives, and many more may take place in the future. We have to be prepared. God’s omniscience permits of no complaint. Man should be contented with what he has, though he may be discontented with what he is. Honestly felt needs will be provided where contentment and intelligent effort go together. Meditation also has an equally important role and is the seventh stage in Yoga. It is like striking a match which produces the flame. The flame must be there if the striking is properly done, and the matchstick is dry. But the manufacture of the match is a long process, and it takes time, though the striking of it is a second’s work. That the effort of meditation does not bring satisfaction in many cases should show that the preparation is not sufficient.
Meditation is a flow of consciousness, not a jump, a pull or push of consciousness. The foundation is never seen when the building on it is seen. But we know how important the foundation is for the building.
Asana is the third rung in the ladder of the practice of Yoga. If the Yamas and Niyamas are the foundation of Yoga, Asana may be regarded as its threshold. Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are considered as the internal and true Yoga, while everything else is an external accessory to it. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara constitutes the external (Bahiranga) Yoga, while Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are the internal (Antaranga) Yoga.
With the aim of training the students by giving a proper insight into the above said things, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad has taken the first step of initiating the students into the world of Yoga for a more disciplined and contented way of life.
Bhavan’s Wayanad is blessed with a beautiful ambience for learning Yoga and the construction of the new Meditation cum Yoga hall adds to its etiquette. A Yoga crash course was conducted successfully in the month of May from 12th to 18th during the summer vacation 2014-2015. All the students who have participated in the Yoga class got benefitted by learning different Yogasanas, praanayaama, meditation, surya namaskaar, Sookshma vyaayaam etc... All the sessions have been documented for the student’s future benefit and are available on demand.
Yoga classes are an integral part of Educare program in Bhavan’s wayanad since last academic year and will continue to serve the students incessantly in future.