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The
word ‘Yoga’ reminds us of ‘Yogasana’ here
is a very close relationship between Yoga and Yogasana. Really
speaking, ‘Yogasana’ is a part of ‘Yoga’.
We think, that Yoga itself means ‘Yogasana’. Which is
the most important part out of the eight different parts in our
body? Every part has its own importance and peculiarity. Of course,
we don’t want to go deep into detail of these parts. We have
to keep in mind that, Asana is one of the parts of the ‘Yoga’.
For the time being, we will study this part in more detail.
 There
is one misunderstanding in case of ‘Yogasana’ i.e. ‘Yogasana
is a type of Exercise’. This misunderstanding is there in
many ‘Yoga learns’ and ‘Yoga propagandist’.
Government has also handed over the ‘Yogasanas’ to sports-ministry
instead of education ministry. Yogasanas are being taught and
studied by considering them equivalent to exercise. Hence, it
is adversely affecting the existence of ‘Yoga’ in Asana.
If we study Asana through an exercise point of view, then we may
get its benefits. But these will not be the benefits of Yogasana.
We say, that it is harmful to exercise as age increases. So, we
will have to apply same principle to ‘Yogasana’ also.
On the contrary it has been said that very old people, patients
can also practice Yogasana. It is very true, that exercise and
Yogasana are related to the muscular system of body. May be due
to this reason, Yogasanas are considered as part of exercise.
But the real difference lies here. In exercise, more emphasis
is given on movements of muscles whereas, in Yogasana it is given
on steadiness of muscles. Yoga Maharshi Patanjali has defined
Yoga as ‘Steady and comfortable state means Asana’.
( || Sthirsukham Asanam || )
If
we think over this definition, it can be noticed that exercise
and Yogasana are two distinct aspects i.e. they work in exactly
opposite directions to each other. If you keep this point in mind,
then the next explanation can be easily understood.
It
is know that, Yogasana means the different states of parts of
body. In this state, stability and comfort of body parts and so
of muscles is to be achieved. This is called as Asana. To achieve
this state, we have to practice a specific movement. It is to
be practiced very slowly i.e. the movements should be very slow.
If the movements are fast, then it will be difficult to attain
steadiness in later states. Thus, the movements to be practiced
in Yogasana have to be very steady and slow. While practicing
such movements, some muscles may get stressed. At this time, if
you try to keep muscles relaxed, then both the pressure and stress
on them will be relived. To do so, try to concentrate on your
body movements. Due to this, the muscles that are taking part
in movements will be pressed to the required extent only. And
the non - interacting muscles will be in relaxed state. With the
help of such movements, the expected results can be experienced.
^Top
 It
would be helpful to know the impact of such type of movements
on other systems of body. In exercise, if we keep the speed of
movements more, then muscles are under strain. So the speed of
blood circulation as well as pressure increases. As this is the
function of heart, it has to perform some extra work. Exactly
opposite results are obtained due to Yogasana. Due to slow and
steady movements, muscles do not have to work extra. Once you
have undergone any particular state in Asana, requirement of blood
is reduced. Also, stress on heart is relived. With the help of
advance study in Yoga, functioning of heart takes place more slowly.
Same effect take place on the respiratory system during exercise.
Due to rapid movements, heart has to perform extra task. Similarly,
due to more need of oxygen by muscles, breathing takes place rapidly
i.e. Along with speed of heart beats speed of breathing also increases.
Due to reduction in requirement of Oxygen in Yogasana, speed of
respiration also reduces. So, there is no load on respiratory
system. If speed of heartbeats and respiration increases, sweating
takes place. Unlike Yogasana, sweating takes place in exercise.
If at all there is sweating from body in Yogasana, then mind well,
that something has gone wrong. Make the changes accordingly.
Thus, it becomes the study of exercise more, than of the Yogasana,
if the fact that Yogasana is not exercise is not understood. It
results in advancement of muscles. Enhancement of muscle power
is the main purpose of exercise. It’s not at all expected
by means of Yogasana. Due to Yogasanas, muscle power doesn’t
grow up. But, their capability to work for a long time increases.
I.e. Due to exercise, strength is raised and through Yogasanas,
stamina is raised up. The reason for this lies in the manner,
how you practice both Yogasana and Exercise.
While
exercising, muscles have to work extra. Thus, we feel stressed
and need more rest. In Yogasana, no such rest is needed. On the
contrary, muscles become active due to practicing of Yoga. Eventually,
we feel more energetic.
It
is very difficult to implement the fact, that Yogasana and exercise
are altogether different. But it is equally true, that if we work
in that direction, it will be certainly fruitful. All of a sudden
the steadiness of muscles cannot be achieved so, you may feel
strain in the very initial stages of this study. Sometimes, both
heartbeats and speed of respiration may increase. Hence at some
stages provision for breathing is also made while Performing Yogasana.
It is difficult to maintain the steadiness of muscles. But it
is equally easy to practice the movements steadily. In study of
Yoga, all movements are important and it is easy to practice them
slowly. It is worth achieving a success, if you could practice
them slowly.
 Many
types of body movements have been mentioned in Yoga, before actually
starting with study of Yogasana. In all these types, no precise
steadiness is required. But ‘Slow Speed’ is soul of
these types and it is easy to achieve it. Thus, through all these
types, basic principles of Yogasana can be easily implemented.
Hence, yogasanas, that are mentioned further can be practiced
easily. Their good results can also be experienced. Like this,
if strong base of Yogasana is built up, then you can practice
further types of Asanas. i.e. Pravesh, Parichaya, Pravin, Pandit
etc. in a real sense. You can certainly experience the good results
of this study.
It looks like, as if out of eight stages, in the Yoga – Yogasana
is same as that of exercise. But we know, that it is not to be
practiced like exercise. Other stages of Yoga do not have any
relation at all with the exercise. Five ethics are told in first
part ‘Yama’ about noble behavior in society. To keep
yourself healthy and mentally fit, five important things are mentioned
in chapter ‘Niyama’. Third system is of ‘Asana’
and forth Anga is of ‘Pranayarana’. The whole control
over respiratory system is mentioned in the ‘Pranayama’
chapter.
In
the fifth chapter ‘Pratyahara’, certain ways to control
your mind are told. The last three parts are Dharana, Dhyan and
Samadhi. All these parts are concerned with mind control.
From the explanation, given above, it can be easily noticed that
‘Yog is not an exercise, but it’s a lifestyle’.
Yoga is a riotous way to live happy & healthy life.
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YOGA
DOES NOT MEAN EXERCISE
