The world takes in time-tested Hindu breathing techniques

 Yoga is not just a form of exercise but a profound spiritual discipline rooted in Hindu philosophy.

It originates from the Sanskrit word ‘Yug,’ which means to unite. The philosophy is embedded into the scriptures of the Upanishad, Vedas, and Bhagavad Gita.

Yoga is a way of connecting the mind, body, and soul and becoming one with the source of creation. It is today is widely welcomed with open arms by the whole world.

I was surprised when my refugee Muslim students showed keen interest in Yoga and loved the breathing techniques and asanas. Some reported reduced stress levels within a week. Amazingly, their children also joined us sometimes.

Journey of self-discovery

Yoga not only allows you to become one with yourself but also takes us on a self-discovery journey from the known to the unknown. It aligns one to maintain harmony, peace, and balance in life.

Lord Krishna speaks of the four types of Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, Bhakti (Devotion), Jnana (Knowledge), Karma (Action), Kriya (Concentration). Also known as activists, theorists, pragmatists and reflectors in the modern world.

Om chanting, sound meditation are ancient powerful transcendental techniques.

Terminal illnesses have been cured by Om chanting for ten minutes every day.

My grandparents told us stories of Sadhus (Sages) who lived in the Himalayas, surviving for thousands of years through Prayer, Meditation and Yoga.

Even today, many Yogis can levitate their bodies in the air through this discipline.

Manifestation of dis-ease

Our body is a complete instrument on its own. If we nourish and nurture this Temple, we would be disease-free as the dis-ease first manifests in your mind and then shows up as symptoms in the physical body. Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts and beliefs conditioned by society, friends, and family.

Being a human is a blessing in itself as it took millions of years for us to evolve from monkeys; however, a human can turn a banana into banana bread within minutes. The source of creation is within us. Tapping into the inner wisdom needs a big change in perception and a deep understanding that we are not our race, religion, colour, clothes and so on.

Sleeping with this awareness can create life at a whole new level in the evolutionary process. We run the rat race seeking answers from others instead of allowing the inner wisdom to guide us. Big discoveries and inventions were created from nothing, a zero.

The Hath Yoga

The science of using the body is called Hatha Yoga. Ha- Sun and Tha- Moon.

It is an internal process of balancing the sun(heat) and the moon(cold) elements in the body. Surya Kriya or Anulom-Vilom breathing technique is excellent to maintain such energy balance in the body. Regular practice of Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutations balances the solar energy in our body which can be channelised to run the physiological processes effectively.

The asanas (postures) support the body and prepare it for growth and transformation.

I was amused by the 369 Nikola Tesla Code projected on YouTube (N Tesla’s Secret?).

Interestingly, the magic of these numbers is associated with the respiratory rate of a normal person. An average human being breathes 12-16 times in one minute. With intense focus, if the number of breaths is reduced to 3 breaths/min, one can understand the language of the source of creation. If the number of breaths is reduced to 6 breaths/min, one can understand the language of the earth. When reduced to 9 breaths/min, one can decode and understand the alien language.

The fastest way is to go slower than slower is a wise old man’s verdict, in contrast to our fast-paced modern lifestyle. Slow breathing practices have been adopted in the modern world across the globe due to their claimed health benefits.

Researchers evince interest

This has piqued the interest of researchers and clinicians who have initiated investigations into the physiological (and psychological) effects of slow breathing techniques and attempted to uncover the underlying mechanisms.

The moral of the story is we are all made up of energy. Like a naughty child, energy can create magic or havoc in our bodies. Conscious changes, fasting, breathing techniques, Yoga, can help us be in sync with our solar cycle and create a magical healthy body.

Source: Excerpts from Inner Engineering by Sadhguru

Pranoti Gupta writes regularly on various issues in Indian Newslink. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article reflect the author’s personal experience with this spiritual discipline. There is no intention to malign or compare with other practices. Please seek professional advice before practising the techniques if needed.