Dhanurasana - The Bow Pose

Dhanurasana 

Posture

When this Asana is performed, it represents the appearance of a bow (Dhanus). The stretched arms and forelegs form the string of the bow. It bends the spine backwards. It supplements Bhujangasana. We can say it is a combination of Bhujangasana and Salabhasana with the addition of catching the ankles with the hands. Bhujangasana, Salabhasana and Dhanurasana form a valuable combination. They always go together. They form one set of Asanas. This combination acts as a counter-pose to Halasana and Paschimottanasana, which bend the spine forwards.

Procedure

1. Lie on your abdomen, feet together, forehead on the floor.
2. Bend your legs toward the hips and hold the feet at the ankles with your hands.
3. Breathing in, raise the head, chest and knees up.
4. Focus on widening the shoulders, bringing the knees together and lifting them higher.
5. Straighten the elbows by pushing the hands away with the feet and lift the chin up.
6. Hold and continue breathing in and out.
7. Breathing out, gently come down and press feet down onto hips, press the thighs into the floorto stretch the quadriceps.Release and relax.

Benefits

1. This is useful in chronic constipation, dyspepsia and sluggishness of liver.
2. It removes hunchback, rheumatism of legs, knee-joints and hands.
3. It reduces the fat, energises digestion, increases peristalsis, invigorates the appetite and relieves congestion of blood in the abdominal viscera and tones them also.
4. Dhanurasana is a blessing for people who suffer from gastro-intestinal diseases.
5. It keeps the spine elastic. It prevents premature ossification of bones.
6. He who does Halasana, Mayurasana and Dhanurasana can never become lazy. He is full of energy, vigour and vitality.

Video

Paschimottanasana - Seated Forward Bend

Paschimottanasana

Posture

The name comes from the Sanskrit words paschima (पश्चिम, paścima) meaning "west" or "back" or "back of body", and uttana (उत्तान, uttāna) meaning "intense stretch" or "straight" or "extended", and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat" .

Procedure

1. Sit on the ground and stretch the legs stiff like a stick. 
2. Catch the toes with the thumb, index and middle fingers. While catching, you will have to bend the trunk forwards. Fatty persons will find it rather difficult to bend. 
3. Exhale and slowly bend without jerks till your forehead touches your knees. You can keep the face between the knees also. 
4. When you bend down draw the belly back. This facilitates the bending forwards. Bend slowly by gradual degrees. Take your own time. There is no hurry. 
5. When you bend down, bend the head between the hands. Retain it on a level with them. 
6. Young persons with elastic spine can touch the knees with the forehead even in their very first attempt. In the case of grown-up persons with rigid spinal column, it will take a fortnight or a month for complete success in the posture. 
7. Retain the breath till you take the forehead back to its original position, till you sit straight again. Then breathe.

Duration

Retain the pose for 5 seconds. Then gradually increase the period to 10 minutes.

Benefits

1. This is an excellent Asana. It makes the breath flow through the Brahma Nadi, Sushumna, and rouses the gastric fire. 
2. It reduces fat in the abdomen. This Asana is a specific for corpulence or obesity and for the enlargement of spleen and liver .
3. It reduces fat in the abdomen. This Asana is a specific for corpulence or obesity and for the enlargement of spleen and liver .
4. It increases the peristalsis of the bowels. Peristalsis is the vermicular movement of the bowels or intestines by which food and faecal matter are pushed from one portion of the bowels to another. 
5. This Asana relieves constipation, removes sluggishness of liver, dyspepsia, belching and gastritis. Lumbago or stiff back and all sorts of myalgia and other diseases of the back muscles are cured.
6.  This Asana cures piles and diabetes also. The hip muscles of the abdomen, the solar plexus of nerves, the epigastric plexus of nerves, bladder prostrate, lumbar nerves, sympathetic cord, are all toned up and kept in a healthy, sound condition .

Video

Baddha Koṇāsana - Butterfly Pose

Baddha Koṇāsana

Posture

The name comes from the Sanskrit words baddha (बद्ध, baddha) meaning "bound", kona (कोण, koṇa) meaning "angle" or "split", and Asana (आसन, Āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat

Procedure

1. Sit up straight with legs straight.
2. Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together.
3. Grab your feet by placing your hands underneath them.
4. Bring the heels as close as possible to the genitals.
5. Sit with the spine erect.
6. Take a deep breath in. On exhalation, press the thighs and knees downward towards the floor. Keep them pressing downward.
7. Now, relax the breath and like the wings of a butterfly, flap both knees up and down, start slow then increase the speed slightly. Keep breathing freely.
8. Slow down then stop, take a deep breath in and on exhalation, bend forward keeping the chin up and spine straight.
9. Press your elbows on the thighs or the knees to push knees and thighs closer to the floor.
10. Feel the stretch in the inner thighs and breath in and out, relaxing the muscles more.
11. Take a deep breath in and bring the torso up.
12. Exhale. Release the posture. Straighten the legs.

Benefits

1. It is a strong groin- and hip-opener and one of the few asanas that can be practiced comfortably soon after eating as long as the head is not rested on the floor .
2. The pose is specially recommended for those suffering from urinary disorders. The pelvis, the abdomen and the back are stimulated by a plentiful blood supply.
3. It relieves sciatic pain and prevents hernia. If practised regularly, it relieves pain and heaviness in the testicles. For women, coupled with Sarvangasana, it checks irregular menses and helps the ovaries to function properly .
4.  Regular practise of this posture may be beneficial for the lumbar region, flat feet, high blood pressure, infertility and asthma .

Video

Yoga Mudrasana - Child Pose

Yoga Mudrasana

Posture

This asana is also known as balasana The name comes from the Sanskrit words bala meaning "child" and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat" .

Procedure

1. Sit in Padmasana or sit on your heels. Keeping your hips on the heels, bend forward, and lower your forehead to the floor.
2. Keep the arms alongside your body with hands on the floor, palms facing up. (If this is not comfortable, you can place one fist on top of another and rest your forehead on them.
3. Gently press your chest on the thighs.
4. Hold.
5. Slowly come up to sit on the heels, uncurling vertebra by vertebra and relax.

Benefits

1. This pose gently streches the hips thighs and ankles . 
2. This also relieves back and neck pain when done with head and torso supported  .
3. This pose calms the brain and relieves the tension and stress  to such a great extent and it is even said that if someone is going for suicide and you make him perform this pose then he will change his idea of suicide because of the stress busting quality of this pose 

Video

Janu Shirasasana

Janu Shirasasana

Posture

janu = knee
sirsa = head

Procedure

1. Sit up with the legs stretched out straight in front of you, keeping the spine erect.
2. Bend the left knee and place the left foot against the right thigh, keeping the left knee on the floor.
3. Breathing in, raise both arms above your head and stretch up, and twist a little to the right from the waist.
4. Breathing out, bend forward from the hip joints keeping the spine straight, directing your chin to the toes.
5. If you can, hold on to your big toes and, pointing your elbows to the ground, move forward as you pull on your toes.
6. Hold. Keep breathing.
7. Breathing in, come up and breathing out, bring the arms down to the sides.
8. Repeat on the other side.

Benefits

1. Stretches  the spine, shoulders, hamstrings, and groins 
2. Massages the abdominal organs and tones the shoulders
3. Therapeutic for high blood pressure, insomnia, and sinusitis 
4. Calming to the brain and helps relieve mild depression. 
5. If one is not able to do paschimottan asana then he is made to practise this asana which made the muscles flexible to move into paschimottan asana after few days .

Video

Simhasana - Lion Pose

Simhasana

Posture

In Sanskrit language word “Simha” stands for Lion and also the seated pose of this asana is resembles to majestic and seated pose king of forest, “Lion” that is why it is also renowned as “Singhasana” or “Lion Pose”. This unique asana is established and practiced by the yogis since ancient times. Here we showcase steps for how to do Simhasana and straightforward techniques for gaining its encouraging benefits. According to old tradition, this asana helps to removes each & every ailments and offers three chief Bandhas known as Mula, Jalandhara & Uddiyana.

Procedure

1. First of all kneel down on the floor and place the knees apart about the width of shoulders.
2. Then sit back on the heels such that calves are placed flat on the ground.
3. Now try to spread knees little bit further as much as it feels comfort .
4. Now straighten and lengthen up the back and shoulder muscles and sit straight.
5. Place both hands loosely over the knees and avoid rounding of shoulders.
6. Now inhale and tilt the body slightly forward by keeping the spine straight and placing the hands on the ground.
7. Then stretch the mouth and try to bring tongue out as much as possible.
8. Retain this posture for one complete breathe and after relaxing for some time tilt back and allow the fingers to drop back to the knees and provide relaxation to mouth and tongue by closing them.
9. Repeat the same process for 3-4 times by dividing them in various sessions.

Duration

As there is no specific time duration for practicing Lion pose so it is suggested that one should practice asana as long as one feels it comfort and ease but don’t try to overdo it.

Benefits

1. Simhasana benefits to alleviate tension from the chest and face.
2. It assists to keep platysma firm with increase in age.
3.  It also helps to make thyroid gland active.
4. Simhasana steps helps to keep away major ailments and offers three major Bandhas known as Mula, Jalandhara and Uddiyana.
5. Simhasana benefits to exercise neck muscles and for advancing blood circulation in the body.

Video

Vajrasana

Vajrasana

Posture

Those who sit in this Asana have a steady, firm pose. They cannot be easily shaken. The knees are rendered very hard. The Meru Danda becomes firm and strong .

Procedure

1. Keep the soles of the feet on both sides of the anus i.e., place the thighs on the legs one over the other and the soles on the buttocks. The calves must touch the thighs. 
2. The part from the toe to the knee should touch the ground. The whole burden of the body is put on the knees and ankles. 
3. In the beginning of practice, you may feel a slight pain in the knee and ankle joints but it passes off very quickly. Massage the paining parts and the two joints with the hands.
4.  After the feet and the knees, put both the hands straight on the knees. Keep the knees quite close.
5.  Sit like this, keeping the trunk, neck and head in one straight line. 

Benefits

1. If you sit in this Asana for about half an hour immediately after food, the food will be digested well. Dyspeptics will derive much benefit. 
2. The nerves and muscles of the legs and thighs are strengthened. Myalgia in the knees, legs, toes and thighs disappears. 
3. Sciatica vanishes. Flatulence is removed. The stomach works vigorously.
4. The practice of Vajrasana exercises a stimulating, beneficial influence on Kanda, the most vital part, and which is situated 12 inches above the anus and from which 72,000 Nadis spring.

Video

Ardha Matsyendra Asana

Ardha Matsyendra Asana

Posture

Ardha means half. This is half a pose. This Asana takes its name from the Rishi or Yogi Matsyendra, who first taught this Asana to the students of Hatha Yoga. This Matsyendra is said to have been the disciple of Lord Siva. Once Siva departed for a lonely island. There He taught Parvati the mysteries of Yoga. A fish that happened to be near the shore heard the teachings of Lord Siva. Siva came to know this. His heart being filled with mercy He sprinkled water on this Yogi-fish. Immediately, on account of Siva's grace, the fish became a Siddha Yogi with a divine body. This Yogi fish was called by the name Matsyendra .

Procedure

1. Place the left heel near the anus and below the scrotum. It can touch the perennial space. Do not allow the heel to move from this place. Perennium is the space between the anus and the external organ of generation.
2. Bend the right knee and place the right ankle at the root of the left thigh and rest the right foot well on the ground, close to the left hip joint. 
3.  Place the left Axilla arm-pit over the top of the vertically bent right knee. Push the knee now a little to the back so that it touches the back part of the Axilla
4. Catch hold of the left knee with the left palm. 
5. Then applying pressure at the left shoulder-joint, slowly twist the spine and turn to the extreme right.
6. Turn the face also to the right as much as you can do. Bring it in a line with the right shoulder. Swing round the right arm behind the back. Catch hold of the left thigh with the right hand.
7. Retain the pose from 5 to 15 seconds. Keep the vertebral column erect. Do not bend. 
8. Similarly, you can twist the spine to the left side. This will complete the spinal twist.

Benefits

1. This Asana increases appetite by increasing the digestive fire. It destroys terrible diseases. 
2. It rouses Kundalini and makes the Chandranadi (moon) flow steadily.
3. The moon is said to be located above the root of the palate. It drops the cool ambrosial nectar, which is wasted by mixing with gastric fire. But this Asana prevents it.
4. It keeps the spine elastic and gives a good massage to the abdominal organs.
5. Lumbago and all sorts of muscular rheumatism of the back muscles are cured. The spinal nerve-roots and sympathetic system are toned. They draw a good supply of blood.
6. This Asana is an auxiliary to Paschimottanasana.

Video

Gomukhasana - The Cow Pose

Gomukhasana

Posture

When this Asana is demonstrated, it will look like the face of a cow. Hence this significant name. Gomukha means `Cow-face.'

Procedure

1. Place the heel of the left leg under the left part of the anus.
2. Bring the right leg in such a way that the right knee will be above the left knee and the right sole along the side of the left thigh in close contact.  By gradual practice, you will have to bring the right heel to touch the left buttock.  Sit quite erect.
3. Now take the left hand to the back, raise the left index-finger upwards. Bring the right index-finger downwards and catch hold of the left index-finger firmly. Make a finger-lock now.
4.  If it slips, try again, and keep the lock for two minutes. Breathe slowly.
   
5.  When you make the finger-lock, do not turn the body, do not bend the heel and chest. Keep the trunk quite straight. Change the hands and legs alternately .

Benefits

1. This Asana removes rheumatism in the legs, sciatica, piles or haemorrhoids, neuralgia of the legs and thighs, indigestion, dyspepsia, muscular pain in the back, and sprain in the forearms.
2. This helps in maintaining Brahmacharya and good health. Mula Bandha comes by itself and can be kept up with ease. Hence, this Asana is suitable for the practice of Pranayama.
3. Ordinarily you can sit at all times in this Asana for long meditation also. Lean persons with thin thighs and legs will like this Asana very much

Video

Svastikasana(PROSPEROUS POSE)

Svastikasana

Posture

Swastika is an auspicious Tantrik symbol. It is a symbol of fertility and creativity. As this Asana resembles Swastika, it is called as Swastikasana. In Hathayoga Pradipike Swastikasana is described as: 
Jaanurvarantare samyakritvaa paadatale uthe|
Rujukaayaha samaasiinaha swastikam tatprachakshate
(Having firmly inserted both foots between the thighs and knees , he should sit erect on a level place. This is Swastikasana.)

Procedure

1. Spread both the legs and keep them at a distance of 1 to 1.5 feet.
2. Likewise put the left foot in between right thigh and knee from below the knee. Neck and back should be straight .
3. Put the palms on knees,upwards, join thumb and index finger, and this is called Yogamudra. The sight should be focused on the tip of the nose.

Duration

Start doing this for 5 minutes and slowly increase it to 3 hours .

Benefits

This is one of the simplest and comfortable meditative posture. This Asana is very comfortable for long hours of meditation. This Asana is most suitable for Pranayama, meditation, learning and spiritual activities. This Asana reduces the high blood pressure. Ailments of knees are cured from the practice of this Asana. As the backbone is kept straight in this Asana, pressure on Spinal-cord is relieved thereby strengthening the backbone. Flow of energy in Nadis (Energy channels in the subtle body) will increase. Cleansing of Nadis is one of the main benefits of this Asana. A pleasant feeling in the body arises and calmness pervades the body and mind. Auspicious vibrations and feelings will enter the mind as the name of the Asana is Swastika which means auspicious. Kundalini power is awakened by the regular practice of Swastikasana.

Benefits of Swastikasana according to science:

This Asana tones the muscles of abdominal area and sciatic nerve. Normal temperature in the body is maintained by the regular practice of Swastikasana.

Video

Siddhasana - The Perfect Pose

Siddhasana

Posture

Siddhasana is next to Padmasana in importance. Some eulogise it as even superior to Padmasana from the point of view of meditation. The Asana is so called because it is capable of giving the practitioner all Siddhis (psychic powers). Moreover it was and is the favourable pose of several Adepts in Yoga (Siddhas).

Procedure

1. Spread both the legs and keep them at a distance of 1 to 1.5 feet.
2. Place the left heel at the anus, the terminal opening of the alimentary canal or digestive tube.
3. Keep the right heel on the root of the generative organ.
4. It should be in a way, that the knees and the heels, both lie upon the other.
5. The hands must be placed on either sole of  the feet. Keep the eyes half closed.
   

Duration

Start doing this for 5 minutes and slowly increase it to 3 hours .

Benefits

1.  Practice of this asana helps in concentration and clarity of mind.
2.  It improves memory, digestion and the faculty of the mind.
3.  Young aspirants who wish to get themselves established in Brahmacharya should practice this Asana .
4. “Through this posture the Yogi, leaving the world, attains the highest end and throughout the world there is no posture more sacred than this. By assuming and contemplating in this posture, the Yogi is freed from sin.” (Siva-Samhita: Ch. III-87).
5. Persons suffering from syphilis, spermatorrhoea, piles, diabetes and gonorrhoea be greatly benefited by assuming this pose regularly for some time.

 

Video

Padmasana - The Lotus Pose

Padmasana 

Posture

Amongst the various poses prescribed for meditation, Padmasana is unique and foremost. It holds a very conspicuous place in the Yoga practices because great Rishis like Sandilya, Gheranda and several others have spoken of it in glowing terms. It is called Padmasana because of its full pose lending one the appearance of a full-blown lotus

Procedure

1. Spread both the legs and keep them at a distance of 1 to 1.5 feet.
2. Bend left leg in knee and place its toe on the right thigh and heel on the groin of the left leg.
3. Bend right leg in knee and place its toe on the left thigh and heel on the groin of the right leg.
4. Keep the wrists of both the hands on the respective knees and take Dnyana Mudra. Continue normal breathing.
5. In this asana the position of the body is stabilized. Keep the backbone erect and sight straight. If the hands are long then slightly bend those in elbows.  There should not be any strain on any of the muscles.

Duration

Practise this Asana for 5 minutes to start with and gradually increase the time to 3 hours.

Benefits

1. Padmasana destroys all diseases and bestows quick emancipation to the practitioner .
2. As the backbone is kept erect in this asana, its functioning is greatly improved.
3. Dhyana Mudra further helps in stabilizing pulse beats. Consequently strain on muscles is reduced, which in turn reduces strain on heart.
4. Also breathing slows down, collective effect of all this is one can achieve concentration of mind. 

Video

Yoga Postures - Asanas

III. Asanas (Body postures)

       Asana is the practice of physical postures. It is the most commonly known aspect of yoga for those unfamiliar with the other seven limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. The practice of moving the body into postures has widespread benefits; of these the most underlying are improved health, strength, balance and flexibility. On a deeper level the practice of asana, which means "staying" or "abiding" in Sanskrit, is used as a tool to calm the mind and move into the inner essence of being. The challenge of poses offers the practitioner the opportunity to explore and control all aspects of their emotions, concentration, intent, faith, and unity between the physical and the ethereal body. Indeed, using asanas to challenge and open the physical body acts as a binding agent to bring one in harmony with all the unseen elements of their being, the forces that shape our lives through our responses to the physical world. Asana then becomes a way of exploring our mental attitudes and strengthening our will as we learn to release and move into the state of grace that comes from creating balance between our material world and spiritual experience.

        As one practices asana it fosters a quieting of the mind, thus it becomes both a preparation for meditation and a meditation sufficient in and of itself. Releasing to the flow and inner strength that one develops brings about a profound grounding spirituality in the body. The physicality of the yoga postures becomes a vehicle to expand the consciousness that pervades our every aspect of our body. The key to fostering this expansion of awareness and consciousness begins with the control of breath, the fourth limb – Pranayama. Patanjali suggests that the asana and the pranayama practices will bring about the desired state of health; the control of breath and bodily posture will harmonize the flow of energy in the organism, thus creating a fertile field for the evolution of the spirit. "This down-to-earth, flesh-and-bones practice is simply one of the most direct and expedient ways to meet yourself. … This limb of yoga practice reattaches us to our body. In reattaching ourselves to our bodies we reattach ourselves to the responsibility of living a life guided by the undeniable wisdom of our body."^viii To this B.K.S. Iyengar adds: "The needs of the body are the needs of the divine spirit which lives through the body. The yogi does not look heaven-ward to find God for he know that He is within." 

Yogic Discipline - Niyama

 YOGIC DISCIPLINE 2

Besides these, the would-be Yogi should also practice certain other active virtues which are called as Niyamas.

Niyama generally denotes a duty or obligation adopted by a spiritual aspirant (or community of same), or prescribed by a guru or by scripture . In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the Niyamas are the second limb of the eight limbs of Raja Yoga. 

They are found in the Sadhana Pada Verse 32 as:

  NIYAMA

1. Sauca - Purity

The first niyama is sauca, meaning purity and cleanliness. Sauca has both an inner and an outer aspect. Outer cleanliness simply means keeping ourselves clean. Inner cleanliness has as much to do with the healthy, free functioning of our bodily organs as with the clarity of our mind.

2. Santosa - Contentment

Another niyama is santosa, modesty and the feeling of being content with what we have. To be at peace within and content with one's lifestyle finding contentment even while experiencing life’s difficulties for life becomes a process of growth through all kinds of circumstances. We should accept that there is a purpose for everything - yoga calls it karma – and we cultivate contentment 'to accept what happens'. It means being happy with what we have rather than being unhappy about what we don't have.

3. Tapas – Disciplined use of our energy 

Tapas refers to the activity of keeping the body fit or to confront and handle the inner urges without outer show. Literally it means to heat the body and, by so doing, to cleanse it. Behind the notion of tapas lies the idea we can direct our energy to enthusiastically engage life and achieve our ultimate goal of creating union with the Divine. Tapas helps us burn up all the desires that stand in our way of this goal.  Another form of tapas is paying attention to what we eat. Attention to body posture, attention to eating habits, attention to breathing patterns - these are all tapas.

4. Svadhyaya – Self study 

The fourth niyama is svadhyaya. Sva means "self' adhyaya means "inquiry" or "examination". Any activity that cultivates self-reflective consciousness can be considered svadhyaya. It means to intentionally find self-awareness in all our activities and efforts, even to the point of welcoming and accepting our limitations. It teaches us to be centered and non-reactive to the dualities, to burn out unwanted and self-destructive tendencies.

5. Isvarapranidhana - Celebration of the Spiritual 
Isvarapranidhana means "to lay all your actions at the feet of God." It is the contemplation on God (Isvara) in order to become attuned to god and god's will. It is the recognition that the spiritual suffuses everything and through our attention and care we can attune ourselves with our role as part of the Creator. The practice requires that we set aside some time each day to recognize that there is some omnipresent force larger than ourselves that is guiding and directing the course of our lives.

Yogic Discipline - Yama

 YOGIC DISCIPLINE

Yoga is rooted in virtue. Ethical discipline is very necessary for success in Yoga. Ethical discipline is the practice of right conduct in life. The two moral back-bones of Yoga are Yama and Niyama, which the aspirant must practice in his daily life. These correspond roughly to the ten commandments of Lord Jesus or to the noble eightfold path of Lord Buddha. 

Yama

 

1. Ahimsa – Compassion for all living things

Pre-eminence is given to abstention from injuring any living creature (Ahimsa) amongst all
other virtues. There must be non-injuring in thought, word and deed. Non-injuring is placed first because it is the source of the following nine. The practice of universal love or brotherhood is nothing but the practice of non-injuring. He who practices non-injuring will get quick success in Yoga. The practitioner must abandon even harsh words and unkind looks. He must show goodwill and friendliness to one and all. He must respect life. He must remember that one common Self dwells in the hearts of all beings.

2. Satya – Commitment to Truthfulness 

Truthfulness (Satyam) comes next in order. Thought must agree with word, and word with action. This is truthfulness. These virtues are attainable only by the unselfish. Truth can hardly arise unless there is pure motive behind all actions. The word of the Yogi must be a blessing to others.


3. Asteya - Non-stealing 

Then comes non-stealing (Asteya). You must be satisfied with what you get by honest means. The Law of Karma is inexorable. You will have to suffer for every wrong action of yours. Action and reaction are equal and opposite. Amassing wealth is really theft. The whole wealth of all the three worlds belongs to the Lord. You are only a caretaker of his wealth. You must willingly share what you have with all and spend it in charity.


4. Brahmacharya - Sense control  

The fourth virtue is the practice of celibacy. That portion of human energy which is
expressed in sexual union when controlled, becomes transmuted into a form of special spiritual energy called Ojas-Sakti and this is stored up in the brain. If you practice Yoga and at the same time lead an impure, voluptuous and immoderate life, how can you expect progress in Yoga? All great spiritual giants of the world have practiced celibacy and that is the reason why they were able to thrill and electrify the whole world through the power of the special spiritual energy they had stored up in their brains. A Yogi with an abundance of this energy keeps his audience spell-bound, as itwere, and sways them even as a monarch sways his dominions. There is a peculiar charm in his smile and power in the words emanating from his heart. He produces a very profound impression in the minds of all with whom he comes in contact.

Brahmacharya is the basis of acquiring immortality. Brahmacharya brings material progress and psychic advancement. Brahmacharya is the substratum for a life in the Atman. It is a potent weapon for waging a relentless war against the internal monsters —passion, greed, anger, miserliness, hypocrisy, etc. It contributes to perennial joy and uninterrupted, undecaying bliss. It gives tremendous energy, clear brain, gigantic  will-power, bold understanding, retentive memory and good power of enquiry (Vichara-Sakti). It is through Brahmacharya and Brahmacharya alone that you can have physical, mental, moral and spiritual advancement.

5. Aparigraha - Neutralizing the desire to acquire and hoard wealth  

 A Yogic student should abstain from greed. He should not receive luxurious presents from
anybody. Gifts affect the mind of the receiver.