Science of Yoga

Yoga defines itself as a science--that is, as a practical, methodical, and systematic discipline or set of techniques that have the lofty goal of helping human beings to become aware of their deepest nature. The goal of seeking to experience this deepest potential is not part of a religious process, but an experiential science of self-study. Religions seek to define what we should believe, while a practical science such as meditation is based on the concrete experience of those teachers and yogis who have previously used these techniques to experience the deepest Self. Yoga does not contradict or interfere with any religion, and may be practiced by everyone, whether they regard themselves as agnostics or members of a particular faith.

There is much confusion about exactly what yoga is, especially since there seem to be so many approaches, all described by the name "yoga." A mountain climber may take a variety of routes to reach the top of a mountain. From the plain at the base of the mountain, all these paths seem distinct and different, but from the mountain summit, the view is always the same! The same is true of the seeming diversity of the yogic paths. These different paths are not mutually exclusive or conflicting, but are intended to accommodate the various inclinations, personalities, and temperaments of individual students, and yet they all have the same goal. These various paths of yoga include:

1) Hatha yoga, which deals mostly with body and breathing exercises that help the student to become aware of his or her internal states. Hatha yoga exercises help to make the body a healthy and strong resource for the student.

 

2) Karma yoga, which means "the yoga of action." This path teaches us to do our own duties in life skillfully and selflessly, dedicating the results of our actions to humanity. Practicing this aspect of yoga helps us to live unselfishly and successfully in the world without being burdened or distressed.

3) Jnana yoga is the path of knowledge and wisdom. This path involves intense mental discipline. Knowledge dawns as we learn to discriminate between the real and the unreal, between the transient and the everlasting, between the finite and the infinite. This path is meant for only a fortunate few, who are aware of the higher and subtler realities of life.

4) Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion. This path is the way of love and devotion. It is the path of self-surrender, of devoting and dedicating all human resources to attaining the ultimate reality.

5) Kundalini yoga is a highly technical science. The guidance of a competent teacher is required to learn methods for awakening the serpent-like vital force that remains dormant and asleep in every human body.

6) Mantra yoga, which involves meditation and the use of certain sounds called "mantras," which are traditionally transmitted to the student, and are used as objects of concentration. Mantras help the student in self-purification, concentration, and meditation. These mantras were discovered in deep meditation by highly advanced sages and teachers.

Finally, there is raja yoga, the "royal path" which is very scientific and thorough. By following this path methodically, we learn to refine our desires, emotions, and thoughts, as well as the subtle impressions and thoughts that lie dormant in the unconscious mind. Raja yoga helps us to experience the inner reality by using an eight-runged ladder. The ultimate goal is for the aspirant to attain the eighth rung, samadhi.

So which yoga do you like to practise in your life?

Can you find your soul age?

According to many spiritual teachers, all human beings are, in reality, spiritual beings on a human journey. We reincarnate as human beings in order to evolve as souls.

Our ultimate aim is to become fully conscious and capable as unique individual expressions of All That Is.

Check out this to find how old is your soul http://www.gotoquiz.com/how_old_is_your_soul_1

Scaling happiness: the science of smile

Much of the research confirms things we’ve always suspected. For example, in general Healthy people are happier than sick people. Rich people are happier than poor people. And so on.


That said, there have been some surprises. For example, while all these things do make people happier, it’s astonishing how little any one of them matters.

Yes, a new house or a new spouse will make you happier, but not much and not for long. As it turns out, people are not very good at predicting what will make them happy and how long that happiness will last. They expect positive events to make them much happier than those events actually do, and they expect negative events to make them unhappier than they actually do.

In both field and lab studies, we’ve found that winning or losing an election,  getting or not getting a promotion, passing or failing an exam—all have less impact on happiness than people think they will. A recent study showed that very few experiences affect us for more than three months.

When good things happen, we celebrate for a while and then sober up. When bad things happen, we weep and whine for a while and then pick ourselves up and get on with it.

can reaserchers measure scaling of happiness in humans?

mahakavi bharathiyar padal

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

இச்ச்கத்து ளோரெல்லாம் எதிர்த்துநின்ற பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

துச்ச்மாக வெண்ணிநம்மை தூறுசெய்த பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

பிச்சைவாங்கி உண்னும்வாழ்க்கை பெற்றுவிட்ட பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

இச்சைகொண்ட பொருளெலாம் இழந்துவிட்ட பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

கச்சணிந்த கொங்கைமாதர் கண்க்ள்வீசு போதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

நச்சைவாயி லேகொண்ர்ந்து நண்பரூட்டு பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

பச்சையூ னியைந்த்வேற் படைக்ள்வந்த பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

உச்சிமீது வானிடிந்து வீழுகின்ற் பொதினும்

அச்ச்மில்லை யச்சமில்லை அச்ச்மனெப தில்லையே

Do you sometimes feel people are used and thrown?

From my own experience: "Good People" are good to themselves as well as to others. If you are good to yourself, you don't allow yourself to be "used". Subjugating all of your own dreams, desires, thoughts and needs in favor of someone else's is NOT good, unless you do it with no expectation of a return. If you feel "used" it is because your expectations aren't met. If you decide to sacrifice yourself, you aren't being "used", it is a decision you willingly made. 

You have a right to get a return on your investment (of love, time, affection, money, loyalty, work) but you need to express what you expect and hold the other party accountable. If give without getting and don't like it, the options are (1)to continue the status quo and continue your dissatisfaction, (2)stop giving, (3) define with the other party what the expectations are, or (4) give to someone or something that is appreciative in a way that pleases you.

This may seem like unsympathetic, but it isn't. The pain of being cast aside after devoting to something, and the above is what I learned from the experience. There are some people who can give without any expectation, and I think we all do that from time to time, but I don't see that working in an ongoing relationship, whether at work or at home or with friends. No one but you is responsible for your own happiness. If you feel cast aside, maybe you need to cultivate new friends, develop new interests or pursue old dreams. You are the only person who can "throw you out". You still exist and can still become happy with yourself.

Also some "good people" allow themselves to be used. They don't see the need or don't know how to set boundaries with others through their life. It's like killing yourself with your own kindness. (reverse of killing them with kindness) but it means the same thing...basically. 

If you allow others to walk over you and use you, it does not teach them how to respect others and they certainly won't respect you or really appreciate anything you do for them. You basically are teaching the users to continue to be users, not givers and you definitely are teaching them to use you. 

Then you wonder where all the people are that you were so kind to. Everything you did for these people over the years meant so very much to you, you really cared and assumed it meant the same to them and they were receiving with the same caring heart you were giving with. It's not good to judge others by your own standards because they just may not be the same.

However......you have your sweet kind heart, your integrity,honor and caring for others. That's really special in my book.

One of my big, difficult lessons in life, I am grateful I learned it.

Live each and every moment mindfully

Life with Aerobic vs Anaerobic Exercises

The literal meaning of aerobics is oxygen. Hence, aerobic exercise can be defined as the one, which involves the use of oxygen to produce energy, whereas anaerobic exercise makes the body to produce energy without using oxygen.


Anaerobic exercises are high intensity workouts that are performed for a short time. On the contrary, aerobic exercises generally simple exercises and are performed for a longer time, at moderate intensity.

Aerobic exercise is slow, steady state exercise that requires oxygen and can be done for long periods of time. Anaerobic exercise is short bursts of strength and power (weight training, plyometrics, high intensity running intervals) that last only 30-45 seconds.
Aerobic exercises train your muscles to use fat more efficiently, which causes them to burn less of it. The more you train, the easier the exercises get, and your body burns even less fat.
Anaerobic training is more effective and efficient for weight loss. It’s still cardiovascular, but you’re working at a greater intensity than aerobic training. Your heart and lungs get a workout because of the demand from the muscular system, rather than the reverse—your muscles moving because of cardiovascular demand. Anaerobic training requires greater muscular demand than aerobic training, thus elevating your heart rate and building fat-burning lean muscle.

When you perform aerobic exercise, you will notice an increase in the heart beat rate and the rise in your level of respiration. Energy is provided by carbohydrate and fats, when you work out the muscles. On the other hand, the sources of energy during anaerobic activity are adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate.
Choose to do aerobic or anaerobic to enjoy healthy life!