Yoga is about attaining to absolute Balance,
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
piercing Clarity and an inexhaustible Exuberance.
With this, you are immensely fit for life.
Namaste Dear Readers,
Hope all are living healthy, well and wise in these times of Covid.
In light of the anxiety and health concerns in these times, I wanted to share a short video with some simple yogic techniques for balance and harmony of the body and mind.
In this video, I explore 3 simple practices:
1. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
2. Anulom-Vilom Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
3. Holding ‘Namaskar’
All three practices are very effective in bringing about a sense of balance and harmony in the body-mind which is the basic foundation of genuine well-being.
As I explain in the video, in yoga the body is looked at in profound depth with various levels of subtlety. Below is a more detailed look at the layers or sheaths of the body.
In yoga, the importance of the subtle or energy body is recognised, with balance and health in this body leading to the well-being of the gross body. All yogic practices aim to purify this subtler body.
The 3 practices shown in the video, harmonise the flow of energy in the left and right energy channels or nadis, namely, the Ida and Pingala nadis respectively. The Ida is the left side (lunar) channel associated with feminine and cooling qualities while the Pingala is the right (solar) channel associated with masculine, heat-producing and invigorating qualities.
As you do these practices, notice the sensations in your body and the changes in your breath and feelings. Yoga practices done right should leave you feeling relaxed, light and happy.
On a slightly lighter note, doing the Vrikshasana brings to mind for me, Sage Vasishtha’s instruction to Rama in the Yoga Vasishtha: leave all thoughts and just be like wood or stone. Very helpful to remember this while holding this asana 🙂
I think this is my favourite asana – once you get the hang of it, it’s very relaxing and satisfying to stay in this pose.
Do take 30 minutes out of your day to try these simple practices and let me know how they went for you!
I’m also offering some free online guided meditation sessions currently where I share some simple relaxation and breathing techniques and silent sitting. If you’re interested in joining, send me an email on livingwiseproject@gmail.com and I’ll send you details.
Hope you enjoy the video. Do feel free to share your comments or questions. I look forward to receiving them 🙂
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Hi Shruti! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article about using yoga and meditation to cultivate balance and harmony. The way you broke down the practices into simple and accessible steps, like Vrikshasana and Anulom-Vilom Pranayama, was so helpful. I loved your explanation of the Ida and Pingala nadis and how balancing them can lead to a deeper sense of well-being. It’s fascinating how these ancient techniques remain so relevant in promoting mental and physical health, especially during stressful times.