Raktapitti Krashah Shoshi Shwasakasakshataturah |
Bhuktavanstrishu Ca Kshino Bhramartashca Vivarjayet ||
Meaning: The patients of plethora, asthmatic attack or severe cough, withering of body, acute anemia and underweight, heart disorders, vertigo, etc or the one who has just eaten or drunk something should not do physical exercise. Ayurveda recommends practice of yoga for physical and mental wellbeing. Yoga in its true sense means the path, which leads to spiritual awareness. However, the trends today have, to a large extent, diluted and even distorted the meanings and forms of yoga . Moreover, people in sheer frantic hurry to get rid of specific health problems or eager to slim the body, often start practicing some of the asanas of yoga as advertised in a magazine or ’taught’ in a health club without realizing the possible adverse side-effects, unless these asanas are accompanied by some complementary asanas or without following the proper disciplines associated with them. Such practices should be avoided. All kinds of physical exercises or yoga should be practiced under proper guidance. It is also important to understand the underlying philosophy of yoga . In view of the time-constraints of the people today and realizing the need for comprehensive but easy to follow yoga -practices in today’s life -style, Pandit Sriram Sharma Acharya had advocated a new set of yoga -exercises called " Pragya Yog a". It is taught in the training programmes of Gayatri Teerth Shantikunj , Hardwar and at some of the branches of Gayatri Mission in India and abroad where trained teachers are available. It has been found very effective and suitable for most people in the teenage to middle age group. The common urinary diseases, constipation and other digestive problems, mental and physical fatigue, stress etc are cured by its practice. " Pragya Yog a" is especially effective in relaxing and strengthening the nerves and muscles and enhancing the grasping power of mind . It serves the triple purpose of strengthening the body, calming and energizing the mind and cleansing the inner emotional self. Its sincere practice with the jap a of Gayatri Mantra helps in awakening the pragya (spiritually enlightened pure intellect). Morning Walk: Most of us are aware of the importance of morning walk. It is regarded as an integral part of the daily routine in Ayru veda . The morning time is ideally conductive for enhancing and purifying the physical and mental energies. The air is fresh and pure, especially near the plants and trees and is full of soothing fragrance. Its cool touch is very pleasant; even in the peak of winter one enjoys it (wearing sufficient warm clothes) and finds it energizing. The mild and soothing smell emerging from the soil in the early morning hours also has health y effects. For best effects one should walk silently with erect neck, straight spinal column and a relaxed but stretched chest. Both the hands should also move as much as possible while walking. Breathing should be deep and only through the nostrils (the mouth should be kept closed). Walk with as light and less clothes as feasible in the seasons of summer and autumn. Walking speed should be as fast as one could manage with ease. If possible, one should also jog for some time. The mind should be trained to visualise "through each in-breath, I am absorbing vital energy and radiance floating in Nature and throwing away the metabolic wastes, infirmities and defects with its exhalation.". Health y youngsters should practice jogging and the elderly people should walk as much distance as possible every day. Despite their busy schedules, Mahatma Gandhi used to walk about four kilometers every day after his morning prayers and Maharshi Dayanand used to run around a long track. The immediate gains of morning walk are elimination of constipation and digestive problems. Those suffering from erotic thoughts and untoward excitements and imaginations should practice running regularly every morning; it gives rapid remedial effects in such cases. Any clean and airy place is good for morning walk. Although lawns, gardens or open grounds or terrace are the best for the purpose, there is also a substitute. Those who do not have access to these places can instead practice "Still march fast" (by folding the knees one after the other up to the stomach in each step keeping the thighs perpendicular to it while standing straight at one place) at a fast pace in an open room. This exercise should be practiced for about fifteen to thirty minutes. Bathing: Bathing every day at least once is a necessary discipline of Vedic way of life . It cleans the body and opens the skin pores. Bathing in the morning removes all the drowsiness and laziness and refreshes the body. It soothes the mind and hence helps in concentration, meditation, studies, etc. Water has been referred as amrat (nectar) and jivana ( life ) in the Veda s. Bathing with sufficient water is also regarded important in Naturopathy and Ayurveda .
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