YOGA AND AGING

YOGA  AND AGING

                                                      Urmila Das

The word Yoga is derived come from the Sanskrit root: yug. The English equivalent of this word is “yoke” which means to yoke a pair of oxen together, bondage, servitude, etc. (for more shades of meaning you can refer to the dictionary). It is pronounced as YOG, but today it is generally accepted as Yoga. Yoga on the other hand means “union” i.e. bringing two things together. But the meaning of yoga according to the school of Indian Philosophy has a deeper meaning. It means “union” but what kind of “union”? It is a union of the body, mind, intellect and soul with God. It is the integration of all these to make a totality. Most importantly Yoga is a path, a way, a lifestyle.

The Four Kinds of Yoga:

Yoga forms the foundation of Indian philosophy. Even before historians delved into the ancient history of man, yoga was being practiced. There is evidence of references in our scriptures like the Vedas, Upanishads, etc., where our rishis discussed the science of yoga. This ancient science and art form used to be passed down orally from teacher to students, but as years went by, a great Sage by the name of Patanjali organized the system of yoga in a systematic way. For our Seminar today we are discussing how yoga can help the aging process and the focus will be on Raj Yoga, which is a physical discipline (asanas) in a spiritual context. But before we discuss Raja Yoga and physical disciplines, let us look briefly at Karma yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga:

Karma Yoga
This is the yoga of action or karma. It can be called karma yoga only when the action is done in a selfless way with God as the focus. There is no expectation of rewards. Actions done in this way do not bind a person to the action, but rather liberate that person towards God.

Jnana Yoga:
This is the yoga of knowledge. Once more we may beg the question what kind of knowledge? It is the knowledge of the reality of the soul and God. We pursue knowledge for its own sake as Aristotle said:  “There is no nobler occupation than the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.”

Bhakti Yoga
This is the yoga of devotion and of surrendering to God. When Bhakti Yoga is practiced, then a devotee experiences the presence of God in every part of the universe. This is the omnipresence of God.

Raj Yoga
In Raj Yoga, the highly evolved seer Patanjali codified this discipline into eight parts, also known as Asthanga Yoga:

1.     Yamas
2.      Niyamas
3.     Aasana
4.     Pranayama
5.     Pratyahara
6.     Dharana
7.     Dhyana
8.     Samadhi

For a moment let us look at how the foundation blocks were set up. It clearly shows a progressive movement from the external to the internal, whereby one experiences oneself. As we grow in life by adopting such principles to live by, we do grow gracefully and this certainly helps the aging process.

We may ask ourselves what are these Yamas and Niyamas, and what they have to do in making us grow gracefully?  Well, the answer is that they mould our lives in a positive way, and they are the stepping-stones to the anti-aging process. There are five principles of Yamas and five of Niyamas.

Yamas:

Ahimsa  -  To be non-violent. We must not be violent towards ourselves, or towards any living being in thought, word or deed.

Satya   - Truth. Always be truthful to ourselves and to others.

Asteya  - Do not take anything that does not belong to you. We must earn our living honestly and not depend on others.

Brahmacharya    - During our student years, we must be pure in our life and not go after sensual pleasures.

Aparigraha      - Non-hoarding of things. When we accumulate too many material things we feel trapped and lose our freedom.

Niyamas:

Shouch          - Cleanliness, also in thought, word and deed, and the home and environment.

Santosh - Contentment. Be happy with whatever we have and not long for what others have.

Tapa    - Austerity. We must endure some hardship and disciplines. A pampered life will not help us to grow spiritually.

Swadhyaya   - To study and learn every day.

Ishwarpranidhana   - A longing to realize God in this life.

Asanas:

In yoga terminology for the word asanas refer to postures of the body. These asanas emphasize deep breathing, relaxed movements and mental concentration which promote a state of mental and physical well being. Hence the asanas rejuvenate and bring the physical body in a state of balance with the natural forces of nature.

We may ask what are the physical benefits of these asanas?  The most important is the flexibility of the spine. It is said that ‘you are as young as your spine’. These asanas focus on increasing and maintaining flexibility of the spine, and also toning and rejuvenating the nervous system. Gentle stretching, twisting, bending movements bring flexibility to the other joints and muscles of the body.

But what about the aging process which we are here to discuss. Yoga helps to slow down the aging process when there is elasticity to the spine, firming up the skin, removing tension from the body, strengthening the abdominal muscles, correcting poor postures, etc. Thus, we can say that asanas work wonders in bringing awareness to the body and mind.

Here are listed some of the anti-aging effects of asanas as described by Dr. Paul Galbraith, author of “Reversing Aging”:  “longevity; increased resistance to disease; rejuvenation of your glands, (like the pituitary, thyroid, etc.); look and feel younger (reduces wrinkles); improved vision and hearing. Yoga postures and yoga neck exercises improve the condition of the neck and circulation, resulting in improved hearing and better eyesight, and mental/emotional benefits as well.
Because of the rejuvenation effects of the glands and nervous system, the practice of asanas enhances the mental and emotional state of the mind of the practitioner.”


Pranayama:

No one can live for more than a few minutes without breathing. But what Pranayama, or yogic breathing, does is makes us aware of the importance of breathing properly. Pranayama helps to cleanse and nourish the physical body. As you inhale fully, you are supplying an abundance of oxygen to every minute cell of the body. As you exhale the waste products, or toxins, are expelled. It improves and strengthens the respiratory system, and increases vitality and energy level. A combination of breathing and deep relaxation will help people overcome anxiety and panic attacks, high blood pressure, etc. Mentally, yogic breathing improves concentration and gives clarity of thought. For Asanas, Pranayama is very important. Asanas can be called asanas only if pranic energy is used.

Pratyahara:

This is the withdrawal of the senses from your surroundings. The yoga aspirant who has learned to control sensory attachments to things in the environment, and to block attraction to vice is said to have conquered the senses.

Dharana:

This is deep concentration of the mind. When the mind has withdrawn from the stimulation of the senses, only then can it focus on a single aim, goal or idea.

Dhyana:

This is meditation with intense concentration. At this level the practitioner of yoga concentrates on God and His attributes, and the soul. Most important here is the realization that God alone is the Supreme Power.

Samadhi:

This is the final stage of Raj yoga when the soul is said to be one with God. There is no duality.

Conclusion:

Yoga and the anti-aging process work in unison. If one practices yoga, despite his age, then he will be better able to cope with the natural process of aging. No one can deny the fact that once birth takes place, then the universal law of aging is bound to happen. While it is not possible to reverse the aging process, through yoga one can live a healthier life, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

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