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Ayurveda in old age Tridosha theory Yoga Meditation Ayurveda Basics

YOGA

Yogaschittavrittinirodhaha || (Patanjali Yoga)

Yoga is the control of thought waves in the mind

According to Patanjali, the mind is made up of three components, Manas, Buddhi and Ahankaara. Manas records the impressions gathered by senses. Buddhi classifies these impressions and reacts accordingly. Ahamkaara is the ego sense which claims these impressions for its own.

THE ASHTANGA YOGA

1. Yama

2. Niyamaasana

3. Praanayaama

4. Pratyaahaara

5. Dhaarana

6. Dhyaana

7. Samaadhayoastavangaani ||
   
   The eight limbs of yoga are:
   1.Yama:
   (the various forms of abs tension from evil doing)
   Ahimsaa-Satyaasteya-
   Brmhacharyaaparinigrahaa-Yamaaha ||
   Yama is abstention from harming others, from false hood ,from theft, from incontinence, and from greed.
   
   2.Niyama:
   (the various observances)
   Shoucha-Santhosha-Tapaha Swaadhyaayeshwarapranidhanani Niyamaaha ||
   The niyamaas are purity, contentment, mortification, study and devotion to God
   
   3.Aasana:
   (posture)
   Sthitirsukhamaasanam||
   Aasana is to be seated in a position which is firm but relaxed.
   
   4.Praanayaama:
   (Control of breath)
   Tasmin Sathi Shwaasaprashwaasayorgathivichedaha praanayaama ||
   After mastering posture, one must practice control of the praana (breath) by stopping the motions of inhalation and exhalation
   
   5.Pratyahara:
   (withdrawl of mind from sense objects)
   Swavishayaasamprayoge chittaswaroopaanukaara ivendriyaanaam pratyaahaaraha||
   When the mind is withdrawn from sense objects, the sense organs also withdraw themselves from their respective objects and thus are said to imitate the mind. this is known as pratyahara
   
   6.Dharana:
   (concentration)
   Deshabandhashchitthasya dhaaranaa||
   Dharana is holding the mind within a center of spiritual consciousness in the body, or fixing it on some divine form, either within the body or outside it.
   
   7.Dhyaana:
   (meditation)
   tatra pratyaikatanataa dhyaanam||
   Dhyaana is an unbroken flow of thought toward the object of concentration.
   
   8.Samaadhi:
   (absorption in Aatman)
   Tadevaarthamaatranirbhaasam swaroopashoonyamiva samaadhihi||
   When in meditation the true nature of the object shines forth, not distorted by the mind of the perceiver, that is absorption.