Introductory Yoga session (Theory and Practice)
This short (about one and an half hour) introductory session about yoga emphasizes equally on Sankhaya theory (base of Yoga) established by great pioneer saint Kapila as well as traditional Indian Yoga system founded by Maharishi Patanjali. Through this introductory session, we are trying to introduce Yoga as holistic way of life leading to self discovery through realizing different levels of one’s existence (consciousness).This spiritual tradition classically is known as ‘Sankhya-yog’ and combines two oldest schools of Indian philosophy, which are ‘Sankhya’ and ‘Yoga’ and being complimentary to each-other can rightly be mentioned together as ‘Sankhya-yog’. We organize yoga session regularly for individuals as well as groups on a regular basis in Rishieksh. Our introductory sessions are ideal for those seekers, who wish to understand and experience Yoga as something more than ‘Physical postures’, this session also includes practice of few important Assanas, which one needs to practice for good physical health.
Yoga and meditation session in Agra (One and Half hour)
| Step | Duration | Activity | Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 10 Minutes | Brief lecturer | An Introductionj to ‘Sankhya -Yog’ |
| Warm Up | 05 Minutes | Exercises | Mental and physical alertness |
| Assanas | 15 Minutes | Yogic Postures | Stretching spine and muscles |
| Relaxation | 15 Minutes | Deep mental relaxation | Calmness/stability of Mind |
| Meditation | 15 Minutes | Focusing on some thought /object | Explore innerself |
| Chanting | 10 Minutes | Sacred sounds | Release mental stress and unwanted thougts |
| Discussion | 10-15 Minutes | Open discussion | Increase understanding of subject |
‘Sankhya -Yog’ in the context of Indian Philosophy
It is a combination of two complimentary Indian philosophical Schools, which are Sankhya and Yoga. In order to have an insight into the true meaning and purpose of Yoga as a spiritual path leading to self realization, it is essential to have an overview of the six classical schools or systems of Indian philosophy. These mainstream Hindu philosophy includes six systems which are Samkhya,Yoga ,Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta. These are called the Astika (orthodox) philosophical traditions and accept the four Vedas as authoritative source of knowledge. Yoga is one of these systems of Indian philosophy and by understanding Yoga in its broad sense as a philosophical system, it naturally becomes convenient to analyse it as a mean of enlightenment.
In modern world Yoga is commonly associated with Physical and mental well being. Although physical fitness is a natural outcome of Yogic life-style, but it is not its ultimate purpose as the ultimate objective of life according to Yoga system is much higher then physical well-being and relative happiness .A clearer understanding of yoga path enables one to understand yoga as a complete goal oriented life-style. Yoga explains all the levels of our existence, which evolve due to interaction of consciousness (Soul) with non-living (matter) world. Yoga to achieve its goal prescribes a well structured path (Asthang yoga consisting of eight steps) to enable seeker to perceive different levels of existence of self and to get established in the core of one’s consciousness. Yoga contains the practical methods to realize the truths envisaged in Sankhya philosophy, which have provided an overview of all possible states of self-existence from the subtlest to the grossest. The word Sankhya drives from samyag, which literally means righteous. Sankhya theory explains in depth concepts like Prakriti (Nature or matter), Purusha (consciousness or soul), Buddhi or Mahat (intelligence), Ahamkara (Ego), three Gunas (Raj , Tam , sattva which correspond to statism, dynamism and lightness), mind (manas), cognitive and active senses (indriya), and the five subtle and gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space). Sankhya provides a clear road-map of spiritual progress as it describes in detail various levels of our existence, which ignorantly are belied by us as the ‘self’. Yoga is a simple a structured path to achieve the goals prescribed by the Sankhya system and together they offer a complete system.