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Our Body Needs Gentle Care

Practice is paramount over theory. A medical professional explains that yoga is a complete psychosomatic system for health.

Incorrect practice, driven by imitation or ego, causes bodily harm. Gentle, correct practice nourishes joints and cartilage through soft movement, unlike damaging extremes. The system addresses the active and directing components of movement. It prevents and heals issues in ankles, knees, hips, and the spine by ensuring proper alignment and neural control. The relationship with the divine is the only permanent connection. The material body is an instrument for spiritual progress.

"If you imitate yoga through books and television... it can happen that your body develops problems and illness increases."

"Yoga is a beautiful way to work with this because, through practice, we can not only properly set up the body part but also properly set up its neural direction."

Filming location: Ostrava, Czech Republic

Good morning, everyone. It is very nice to see you all. We have many things to speak about and many things to do. But as I have said before, tons of theory are nothing compared to practice. Therefore, I think it is good to focus on practice once more. We are very happy and thankful to our dear Hemlata from Vienna, Harriet Bucharova, who shared very valuable exercises and gave us excellent tips. Now, we have ten minutes for Dr. Martin Rebko. First, we congratulate him on becoming the head of the Department of Orthopedics at the University General Hospital in Bratislava. Secondly, a doctor and surgeon must naturally be different from a therapist. So, I would ask Dr. Martin to explain four different problems to us in fifteen minutes. The first is problems with the ankle joints or pain in the heels when you get up in the morning or walk. Some people think a bone is growing in the heel, but it is a different issue. So, we speak about the heel and ankle joint. The second is the knee. Many people perform āsanas incorrectly, including Padmāsana or other postures, which is why they have problems. What should we do to avoid these issues, both as prevention and as care? Or, in his hospital, he has a million knees to replace—so you can get a new one. The third is the hip, and the fourth is the spinal column, especially concerning slipped discs and hernias. These are very specific questions, and he is the proper person to answer or suggest something. Sometimes people twist so much in Bhujaṅgāsana, Dhanurāsana, and Cakrāsana without thinking of their spine. Our subject is health. In India, we say: "Dekhā dekhī sājye yog ghaṭekāyā bāḍe rog." If you imitate yoga through books and television, or from someone demonstrating it, it can happen that your body develops problems and illness increases. For many people, yoga has become a commercial thing or merely a fashion. Commercial entities do not care about anything. I now see in Ostrava and Bratislava many posters where companies use yoga imagery for advertising. Of course, ladies are always the target of commercial endeavors. Men are very clever; they stay behind the curtains and push the ladies forward. So, Dr. Martin, please stand up. If you need a model to demonstrate an exercise, Harriet or someone else can come. We welcome Dr. Martin. (Dr. Martin speaks) I would like to start by saying that everything that has happened in my life, both professionally and personally, has occurred thanks to the mercy of Swāmījī and Mahāprabhujī. All professional developments were linked to Swāmījī, and I am very thankful for everything I have received. As Swāmījī mentioned, I work as an orthopedist, which is closely connected to physiotherapy, as Hemlatajī practices. The difference is that we operate, while physiotherapy handles non-operative procedures. I had the beautiful opportunity to bring the system of Yoga in Daily Life into my life, and I have ensured that many people, thanks to this system, could avoid operations. Hemlatajī explained beautifully yesterday that movement is not only about muscles and joints. We must always be aware that there are two components to movement: an active part and a directing, controlling part. From this perspective, the motor system is truly complicated. Therefore, one cannot practice just any gymnastics for it; it must be seen as a complex, complete system. Something in us is working, and something different is directing and controlling it. This connection is very deep and intense, with information flowing in both directions. Take the ankle joint, as Swāmījī mentioned. We should know it is an area controlled by the central nervous system, but it also sends information about itself back. As Swāmījī said, when we feel pain in an area in the morning, it means that part is not truly healthy. We should consider why there is a problem. Typical morning pains upon waking are called "starting pain." It means that part of the body is not properly set up in the morning. It may improve during the day as we use it. It is necessary for every part of our motor system to be properly centered. The joint should be properly placed, and the directing part of the movement should also be in good condition. From this point of view, Harriet mentioned proprioception yesterday. This is the information going from the body part to the central nervous system. Yoga is a beautiful way to work with this because, through practice, we can not only properly set up the body part but also properly set up its neural direction. The Yoga in Daily Life system is based on psychosomatics, meaning we work not only with the physical part but also with the mental part, which yields long-term good results. Now, I would like to move to our next topic. The knee is a typical joint that, if not properly set up, can cause significant problems. It is a complicated joint, requiring all its muscles and ligaments to be properly aligned. It is a great opportunity to cooperate with Harriet. If we look at the knee joint... Harriet is supposed to levitate so she can see well... we find the knee moves primarily in one axis. It is beautiful how orthopedics and physiotherapy work together. The main work is done by the quadriceps, the large thigh muscle. This muscle has four heads (called "heads" in Latin). We are born with some parts naturally weaker. If we do not work properly with the knee and this muscle, the tendency for one part to weaken and another to shorten increases. The inner part of the knee connection with the quadriceps is often the weakest point. We call this muscle imbalance, and it exists everywhere in the body. If not addressed, the problem grows. In the knee, the outer part often becomes stronger than the inner part, pulling the patella. This is a common first problem. A simple isometric exercise can help strengthen the muscle properly: pull the toes toward you, lower the knee, activate the muscle, and then lift the leg. This simple exercise strengthens the muscle. We can start with this and then progress to cycling. When cycling, we begin by pulling the toes toward us, lowering the knee, lifting the leg, and then continuing the motion. On the return, we pull the toe toward us, stretch the knee, and continue. It is a gentle way of exercising. The fundamental problem of any joint, be it knee or hip, is cartilage. Cartilage is the first tissue damaged in arthrosis. If muscles are not in good condition, the cartilage is overloaded and damaged. Cartilage tissue has no blood vessels, so nourishment does not reach it directly. Once damaged, it cannot renew itself. This is why yoga exercises, especially the gentle Yoga in Daily Life system, are so valuable. They allow nourishment to reach the cartilage. The only way to nourish it is through slight pressing and releasing of the joint, like a sponge soaking up fluid. We can damage cartilage in two ways: through overly intense sports or gymnastics, or by doing absolutely nothing. Cartilage needs soft, slight pressing and releasing to soak in nourishment. For example, the simple movement of cycling, as Harriet demonstrates perfectly, practices three joints at once: the ankle, knee, and hip. This simple movement not only properly sets up the muscles but also perfectly nourishes the cartilage through this slight pressing and releasing, soaking in nourishment and expelling waste. The same real problem with joint cartilage applies to the intervertebral disc. When there is a problem with disc nourishment, a slipped disc can occur, especially toward the nerves. We do similar exercises, such as Skandharāsana, which is perfect for gently working the entire spine. When practiced properly, it works like a snake, slightly pressing and releasing the intervertebral discs. My experience is that people often come with specific problems expecting particular advice on how and in what order to practice. For me, it has shown perfectly that we should use the Yoga in Daily Life system as a complete system. As a doctor, I might have specific advice, but I usually do not give it. Instead, I ask them to practice the system. Thanks to Swāmījī’s mercy and this perfect system, thousands, tens of thousands, perhaps a hundred thousand people have been freed from their problems or never developed them. I would like to thank, in the name of us all, that we can use this system. And I tell you all: please try to practice the system as it is. Do not search for your own ways. Thank you. (Swāmījī speaks) A strong man should move this pyramid. Martin, thank you. Thank you, director Dr. Martin, head of the orthopedics department at the University Hospital. He has been practicing yoga and the system for many, many years. Now, all our yogīs who practice incorrectly and have problems go to Martin. As I said yesterday, the body needs gentle care. One should not twist the body out of ego or pride. Our body has its limitations, and we should know the limit of our twisting. We say, "Ati sarvatra varjayet"—excess in everything is to be avoided. Yoga is not difficult; it is very easy. With simple exercises or postures, we can solve our body's problems. Why then go for complicated postures? In India, we say: for killing a mosquito, don’t use a cannon. Yoga in Daily Life is, as Martin said, psychosomatic. One saint, Sadhuswāmī, said: This body is a bungalow. Ajab means wondrous. This body is a beautifully constructed, wondrous bungalow. Jisme Nārāyaṇa bole—in which God Himself is speaking. Jisme Nārāyaṇ bole, par gurubin bhed kon khole. But without Gurudev, who can tell the secret of this bungalow? And when that Nārāyaṇa, who is with our jīvātmā, departs, then all the beauty, all the talents, and all the qualities will disappear. There is a story: A crow sat atop a temple or church. Hundreds of people were praying inside, and the crow felt proud. It looked at its feathers, cleaned its beak, and swelled with pride. Another crow asked, "What happened to you today?" The first crow replied, "Don't you see? Look how many hundreds of people are praying to me." The other crow said, "They are not praying to you. They pray to God in the church. So don't think people love your body, your presence, your profession, or your position. It is the Ātmā, the Jīvātmā within you. When that is gone, they will carry you away from your position. They will carry you out of your house—though you do not wish to go now. And to ensure you do not return, they will burn you or place you under the earth with heavy stones upon you." We call it kabar; you call it a grave. A man in his grave got up at night and cried, "Allah, what has happened to me? Who put the first stone on me?" Allah replied, "My son, the one for whom you did everything your whole life was the first to put the stone on you, the first to throw earth upon you." This sansāra kā nāṭa—koi kisī kā nahī̃. These worldly relations are not permanent. The only true relation is with the dátā, the giver of everything. That relation to Him, that thread, should never break—the thread of your love and connection. The poet Rahim Dās said: The thread of love—do not break it over some little misunderstanding. You cannot join it again, or if you try, there will be a knot. That knot of disappointment, ignorance, and weakness will remain in the heart forever. Our relation should be like a silk thread upon which pearls glide without hindrance. You are the pearl, and we are all coming to God, one after another. We are all in the trade of God’s love. Therefore, it is said: "Lord, you may take everything away, but not my faith, not my love. I ask for nothing else. Janam janam haridās rakhi jo—in every life, let me be Thy bhakti, Thy servant." All worldly relations will finish here. Afterward, you cannot send an SMS, a telegram, or use a phone. You are completely disconnected—no tower functions, no connection. Yet, you might try to return at night to bid your dear wife farewell. You knock on the door. She says, "Yes?" and then, "Jesus Christ! Close the curtain! The crazy one is here again." The next day, she must visit a psychiatrist. No one wants us. Mahāprabhujī always said: Hold on to that truth. Sāī is God. Repeat, remember, and pray to that God—that is the truth. In this saṁsāra, in this world, no one is truly ours. Je nata, juta nata—it is not a real relation. We must work to carry that relation to God. When you maintain a relation with God, you will take all your relatives and family members to God. You will not be separated. God does not separate; God unites. But if you do not care, why should God care? If you say, "I don’t believe in you, God," God says, "And? I lose nothing." You are the one who loses. God says, "You know, if I want you, even if you do not, I will have you. You are in my hands; there is no way to run away." It is only God, everywhere, in everyone. These gentle exercises keep our material body healthy. This material body is only an instrument to work toward cosmic consciousness. Only those who practice daily know what yoga in their life truly is. It is not about challenges and competitions; it is something beautiful. With this, I wish you a very good journey home. Much love to your whole family. My humble prayers are for your family's well-being. Of course, there are still two months until Christmas, but if we do not see you before then, I wish you all the best and divine blessings. Every religion is connected to the Vedic religion, Sanātana Dharma. We have what is called Śrāddha Pakṣa, the days of the ancestors. Then comes Divine Mother, these nine nights. Today is the sixth night, and then comes the end of the devil, Rāvaṇa, and for that comes Rāma. Similarly, you have from the 1st of November, a day for ancestors, All Souls, All Holy Souls, etc. Some think there is no next life and do not believe in it, yet everyone goes to the graveyard and cries. A man cried at his wife's grave; she had died 38 years prior, and he had not remarried. Every day, he would go and give her a nice flower. One day, as he stood crying, someone touched his shoulder. "Yes, please?" She said, "I am your wife, not that one." He said, "Disappear from here." She replied, "But I am. I am born again." He said, "I don't believe in rebirth." Then she said, "Then cry in front of the bones." He looked at her, and she dematerialized. She was gone. That soul is gone. The water in which you bathed in the river has already flowed far away. That Gaṅgā water is long gone in which you were diving. But that does not mean there is no more water. All water, whether from canals or the high Himalayas, enters the Gaṅgā and becomes Gaṅgā water. Holy Mother Gaṅgā does not refuse anyone, for the Mother is merciful and helps her children, purifying everyone's karma. It is said: try once to immerse yourself deeply in the Gaṅgā. No matter how clean the water is—and it is very clean—you will feel every cell of your body. Enlightenment. This Kumbh Melā... So, on the 3rd of January, we will begin at the Kumbh Melā, until the 16th of February. You are welcome; register and book your flights. There you will see the divine confluence of the Gaṅgā, Yamunā, and Sarasvatī. In their lap, you will sit. Do not miss it. You will say, "Har Har Gaṅgā, oh my God, beautiful. Har Har Gaṅgā, Har Har Mahādev, Har Har Śiva." Millions of people. But it is said: every branch of a tree finds space to grow. Every visitor finds a place to park, even if it is a kilometer or two away. Sixteen million people bathe at the same time, plus yourself. I wish you all the best. To the organizers, many, many thanks. Children, much love. This is the last chance to get chocolate.

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

The text contains hyperlinks in bold to three authoritative books on yoga, written by humans, to clarify the context of the lecture:

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