by Sheila Parsons
In this hectic and fast-paced world, with technology driving us forward, it has become necessary for many people to seek and practise an activity which releases the pressures of modern life, something which can give them relaxation and peace of mind. From the minute we wake up to when we fall into bed exhausted at the end of the day, we seem to have to run faster and faster just to stay where we are. (0) Escaping this mechanical frenzy and moving into a stress-free world has become the goal of more and more people. And when our usual hobbies like television and sports do not give us the kind of mental and spiritual relief we are looking for, we are forced to turn to traditional and holistic techniques of relaxation.
(19)
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At first, most people in the west looked at practices like meditation and yoga with a lot of scepticism. And although these methods have been around for thousands of years, many scientists refuse to credit them with being worthwhile. (20)
. These days, classes in yoga, crystal healing, Reiki and transcendental meditation are very popular in the western world, in large part thanks to their great healing powers. These methods do not use medicines, nor do they come with harmful side effects. A person using one of them has only to understand the method, accept it, follow it, and practise it with passion.
One such technique is yoga, which cleanses the body and the mind. Yoga offers practical step by step methods which do not ask you to ignore your intelligence and emotions, or to accept doctrines on blind faith. (21)
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Yoga is a philosophical system through which the human soul (or mind) consciously communicates with the Supreme Being. The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yug’ which means union. (22)
. And, during yoga, a person can disengage with the material world and all its pleasures and pressures, and can connect with the happiness and peace found in the inner world of mind and spirit.
Many people think that yoga is only about the physical exercises, or asanas, and breathing techniques. (23)
. Although the asanas have gained immense popularity in the last few decades, they are only the outer parts of what is a profound science of self-awakening. Not everyone is competent to practise yoga. It is not enough to have pure thoughts and do good deeds. You must also have knowledge, detachment, intellect, reason and meditation skills.
There are many different types of yoga but they all lead to the same goal. Specialised branches of yoga concentrate on one aspect of self-realisation. (24)
. Mantra yoga is the repetition of chants and sacred texts which help to centre the consciousness in the body. And kundalini yoga focuses on breathing to cleanse the body and soul.
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