TV Channel

We know that āsanas and prāṇāyāmas are not merely gymnastics. It is said that yoga exercises are psychosomatic movements. This means they influence our body and mind in a positive way. During the performance of an āsana, the mind automatically becomes calm. Self-confidence improves, and one develops a deep relationship with oneself. One comes to know one's own body and has a better relation to it. You understand your body, though the body is not immortal. But still, this body is the temple of your soul. You should feel very happy in this temple. This temple, or the house of your soul, needs care from time to time: proper cleaning, and "painting" or "coloring"—taking care of your body. I didn't mean that kind of makeup, but that is also good. If you want to use makeup, then buy natural, biological products. Our body is a very important instrument of our spirit. It needs repairing, regenerating, and to be taken care of properly. Our body needs three things: healthy, good, balanced sattvic nourishment; proper and balanced exercise; and good fresh air, or what we call oxygen. Yoga exercises improve our body's capacity so that it consumes more oxygen inside. Our brain, or the head, benefits from better circulation. This need begins around age 27 or 30. The best, perfect exercises are yoga exercises, which supply more fresh blood towards the brain. This keeps our memory fresh, and our ears and eyes remain healthy. Therefore, at minimum once a day, we should do some exercises where for ten minutes our head is lower than our belly. I think the system of bowing down began in front of the master, in front of the altar, in temples, churches, and mosques. Especially the Muslims, when they are making namāz, their prayer, they bow their head many times. This has two benefits: one, you bow down your ego; and second, you get better circulation toward the head. It is said that through prayers, you feel relaxed, calm, secure, fresh, love, and confidence. Why does all this happen? There are two things. First, you give yourself into the hands of God, so you surrender all your sorrows to God. In those minutes, you feel completely free, like a child feels free with its parents. All responsibilities lie with the parents; when responsibility comes onto your own shoulders, then stress begins. So during prayer, we give our life into the hands of God. Sometimes then you feel tired, or you feel something gaining, a movement like this. Why? Because your jīvātmā suddenly feels relaxed and free. All vṛttis become calm. So prayer means becoming free from distress and sorrows. Secondly, we surrender to God. And while bowing down, the fresh blood circulation increases towards the head. That also makes us relax and get rid of stress. I don't know if you have seen how the Muslims pray. First, their face is always directed toward Mecca. They have certain postures: while standing, then bending a little forward, then kneeling down, and then putting their head down. This is a very systematic, scientific movement where one doesn't immediately get too much blood pressure or circulation that causes dizziness. It is done very finely and systematically so the body adapts to the change in circulation. So just bending the knees is not enough; you shouldn't bow down completely. It is healthy for us. On the other hand, it is said: to bend the knees is easy, but to bow down the heart is not easy. Similarly, yoga exercises are very beneficial and scientific. They influence our body, mind, and psyche in a positive way. The same is true for prāṇāyāmas. Prāṇāyāma calms your nervous system, improves memory, and purifies our "resplendent trees"—it is said it purifies our blood. When the blood is purified, then your skin and everything becomes beautiful. Also, the glands begin to function properly. Therefore, your prāṇāyāma is a very healthy thing. Now, everyday life for many of us is very hectic. But from time to time, we shall take time to practice properly.