Children, yogais a precious boon given to humankind by the ancient rishis of Bharat. Today, crores of people from all over the globe are regularly practising yoga in their daily lives. However, we should remember that yoga is like other forms of physical. To gain yoga’s complete benefits, we have to cultivate mental purity as well as mental and sensory discipline. Just as someone who is chronically ill not only has to take the prescribed medicine but also must follow the doctor’s dietary regiment to get better, so if one’s yoga asanas are to bear the desired fruit, we must follow a disciplined and value-based lifestyle.
One of the primary causes of modern society’s physical and mental problems is their lifestyle. Today, all physical comforts are always within our reach. Lying in bed, one can switch on the television, flip on and off the AC, buy train and plane tickets, and order food from hotels. As such comforts increase, our body fails to get the exercise it needs to remain in shape. Moreover, what is the state of the people’s minds? They are constantly racing back and forth, fixated on worries about the future and regrets about the past. The mind is saturated with thousands of such thoughts. Be it at home or work, people don’t have a single moment devoid of stress. Just as our body requires exercise, our mind requires stillness if it is to remain fit and healthy. For some time every day, we have to be able to completely still our mind — at least for a few moments. But typically people do just the opposite: they give their body plenty of rest and they allow their mind to constantly race all over the place.
Thus, yoga is a tremendous blessing. It rejuvenates and tones our physical body. At the same time, it reduces tension and helps the mind to become calmer and more efficient.
Moreover, yoga helps us develop a healthier outlook about life. It teaches us that the ultimate wellspring of peace and bliss is within. Yoga helps us to bring about positive changes in our diet and lifestyle, as well as in our behaviour and relationships. The food we eat not only impacts our physical health but also our mental health as well. This is why we should eat a healthy, nutritiously balanced diet, without overeating. Those who wish to progress in yoga should strictly try to adhere to a sattvic diet, eating pure and wholesome foods.
Practising such a comprehensive lifestyle can bring about astonishing mental and physical transformations. Thus, yoga is a tremendous blessing, especially for those suffering from chronic diseases arising from a sedentary lifestyle. yoga opens the gates to a healthy, tension-free life, full of joy and equanimity.
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) is a spiritual leader, guru and humanitarian who is revered as the hugging saint by her followers.