TV Channel

We understand that āsanas and prāṇāyāmas are not merely gymnastics. They are described as psychosomatic movements, meaning they positively influence both our body and mind. During the practice of āsanas, the mind automatically becomes calm. Self-confidence improves, and one develops a deeper relationship with oneself. One comes to know one's own body and has a better connection to it. You understand your body language, even though the body is not immortal. Yet, this body is the temple of your soul. You should feel very happy in this temple. This temple, the house of your soul, needs care from time to time: proper cleaning, painting, and coloring—taking care of your body. I didn't mean makeup, that kind of makeup—though that is also good. If you wish to use makeup, then buy natural, biological products. Our body is a very important instrument of our spirit; it needs repairing, regenerating, and must be taken care of properly. Our body needs three things: healthy, good, balanced sāttvic nourishment. It needs proper and balanced exercise, and it needs good fresh air, or what we call oxygen nourishment: movements and oxygen. Yoga exercises improve our body's capacity. The body consumes more oxygen internally. Yoga exercises enhance the body's capacity to receive more oxygen inside. The content of oxygen the body is capable of holding becomes greater; we become capable of holding more oxygen in the body. This benefits our brain, or head, through better circulation towards it. This decline begins around age 30, starting already at 27 years. The best, perfect exercises are yoga exercises, which supply more fresh blood towards the brain. They keep our memory fresh, and our ears and eyes—these organs remain healthy. Therefore, at a minimum once a day, we should do some exercises where our head is lower than our belly for ten minutes. I believe the system of bowing down began in front of the master, in front of the altar, in temples, churches, and mosques. Especially Muslims, when they perform namāz, their prayer, they bow their head down many times. This has two benefits. First, you bow down your ego, and second, you get better circulation towards the head. It is said that through prayers you feel relaxed and calm. You feel secure, fresh, loved, and confident. Why does all this happen? There are two reasons. First, you give yourself into the hands of God. You surrender all your sorrows to God, and in those minutes you feel completely free—like a child feels free with its parents, where all responsibility lies 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, yawning. Suddenly while praying, you feel like yawning. Why? Because your jīvātmā suddenly feels relaxed and free; all vṛttis become calm. Thus, 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 Muslims pray. First, their face is always directed towards Mecca, and they have certain postures: standing, then bending a little forward, then going knee down, and then head down. This is a very systematic, scientific movement where one doesn't immediately get too much blood pressure or circulation that would cause dizziness. It is very finely and systematically done 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, purifies our respiratory tract, and 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, prāṇāyāma is a very healthy practice. Now, everyday life for many of us is very hectic. But from time to time, we shall take time to practice properly. Recording location: Czech Republic, Strilky, Summer seminar