Yoga and the Modern Life

 

 Yoga and the Modern Life is an essay in Yoga Rahasya vol.25, no.4;  2018 written by Srineet Sridharan.  I hope you enjoy reading it and please share your thoughts.  

“Yoga gives ways to develop harmony, balance and concord in physical, emotional and intellectual health”  -  Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar

 Modern life is one of pace and pressure. A myriad of things vie for attention - schooling, career, peer group, commute, home, family, society, consumerism, ailments, financials, and so on. At the same time, there is also a renewed interest in areas like fitness, health, lifestyle improvements, and cultivated thought. People grapple with the question of how to navigate through all this skilfully and have a fulfilling life.  In this atmosphere, the ancient wisdom of Yoga can serve as a dazzling beacon guiding people along the right path, each in their own way, for their individual nature and life condition.

The subject of yoga is very vast and very deep.  It is this richness that makes it applicable to one and all, whatever their inclination, level of maturity, age, position in society ,and physical condition.  Different people can be drawn to different facets of the subject and use that as a starting point in their own uplifting journey. 

Basic Health and Fitness:

One level is that of basic health and fitness.  This is merely an entry step in the eventual journey of higher purpose, yet yoga has a bounty for all in this basic level.  Yoga brings this about through the very interconnectedness of our embodiment, and maintains an individualized balance of physical body and the vital functions.  Even this attainment of basic health can make a huge difference to people involved in their own activities - whether job, school, or profession.

Curative capacity:

Further along these lines is the wonderful curative capacity of yoga.  In our Institite, we have dealt with medical conditions ranging from relatively mild physical problems to serious medical conditions.  Guruji has enabled even the ailing to do a varied range of asanas-s conducive to their condition, using innovative props developed over the years.  Yoga has the ability to lead people through an ailment and out of it, while blessing them with overall improvement and well-being.

Modern problems of addition , depression and lifestyle diseases:

The richness of yoga makes it possible to be applied to very specific situations.  This includes modern problems like addiction, depression, and lifestyle diseases..

Women’s problems:

Yoga also has specific answers to various women’s problems, and can have the societal benefit of providing health, confidence and positivity to its women.

Means of living:

From a very practical point of view, yoga today has become a means of living to many.  When Guruji began yoga, it was hardly recognized and was unviable for making a living.  Today, through his work and of others in the field, the situation has radically changed.  It is now, very important, that teachers of yoga hold themselves to the highest standards, so that the subject of yoga is understood in its true nature.

Intriguing studies:

For intellectuals and academics yoga can be a fertile field for intriguing studies.  Whether they are looking from a perspective of history, art, science, or scholastics, yoga has a lot to offer.  This aspect should not be ignored and serious study of the subject, with the proper attitude to it,can be a direction for development for India in particular, and the world in general.  

The vision of yoga is universal.  It encompasses all the various means to the Truth. Even this description of isvara is simply as That whichever is eternally untainted by time, actions and their consequences.  It is applicable to one and all regardless of age, gender  and belief.

A path to the realization of the pure Self:

Yoga has a very developed system for one to look within. Its profound path reaches right up to the realization of the pure Self.  The breath and mind culture of yoga develops equanimity and tranquility that insulates a person from the ups and downs of life.  They can face problems of life without being internally troubled by them.  This disposition is not something imposed externally through advice and lectures, but developed from within through their own embodiment.  Thereby, its effect is not superficial, rather ingrained in the very fabric of their day and mind, shaping the thinking and attitude.  Hence it is a blessing that is long lasting.  

Yoga is an internal teacher to everyone guiding them in how to live their life,.  In this modern world full of possibilities, choices, opportunities and the problems, yoga can be a centering pillar that can guide people to a life of true well-being and not just superficial happiness.

I love that last part - yoga as a centring  pillar and an internal teacher.  It is great to learn from wonderful, experienced teachers, but one must take the time to explore and make those teachings part of themselves.  Turn knowledge into wisdom.  

In Peace,

Pam