== ASANAS THAT CURE ALL DISEASES ==
Namaskar,
In the wide world of yoga there are more than 50,000 known asanas. And
among those 50,000, Baba has graciously compiled approximately 42 which we
use in our A'nanda Ma'rga system.
And in particular in A'nanda Ma'rga yoga, there are two a'sanas that Baba
has given which cure all the diseases.
(a) The first one is sarvaungasana [shoulder stand]. And as its name
denotes sarvaungasana purifies the entire body. 'Sarva' means all; 'aunga'
means limbs and organs; and 'asana' means position comfortably held. So by
performing this asana the whole body-- all the limbs and organs-- gets
rejuvenated and cured from all types of diseases and ailments.
(b) The second asana with this cure-all quality is matsyendrasana [spinal
twist]. As noted, in sarvaungasana the name itself denotes that it is
beneficial for all the organs etc. But the same is not the case with the
name-- matsyendrasana. Reason is that matsyendrasana is named after one
prince who became a great yogi. That prince's name was Matsyendranath. And
since he was the one who created this asana, that asana was named:
matsyendrasana.
(c) But it should be clearly known that both these asanas positively effect
the entire body. But the name of one asana expresses this idea whereas the
other asana does not. Even then, the all-round benefits of these two asanas
are nearly identical.
(d) In sarvaungasana even the eyes get proper exercise by focusing up
towards the big toe. Similarly, in matsyendrasana, the eyes derive
tremendous benefits from looking to the far left and far right during the
twisting motion.
(e) So both these asanas exercise & revitalise the entire body from head to
foot. Specifically these asanas benefit the arms, legs, mouth, nose, eyes,
head, ear, tongue as well as all the cakras of the body.
(f) For sarvaungasana, a complementary asana also needs to be done. That is
matsyamudra, a.k.a fish posture. So first one should do sarvaungasana, then
one should 15 seconds rest by doing shavasana (corpse pose), and then one
should do matsyamudra. Directly after completing matsyamudra one can again
begin sarvaungasana. But each time in between Sarvaungasana and
Matsyamudra, shavasana should be performed.
(g) Those suffering from high blood pressure should refrain from doing
sarvaungasana.
(h) In our AM system, asanas have not been selected just on the basis of
physical exercise only. Rather Baba has perfectly selected those asanas
which are helpful in maintaining good health as well as proper glandular
secretions-- which help make the body fit for spiritual practice. Such
types of asanas have primarily been included in our AM system. That is why
Baba has included and approved only 42 asanas for Ananda Margiis.
(i) Here below are a few of Baba's direct guidelines regarding asanas.
Baba says, "'A'sana' means 'a position in which one feels comfortable'--
'Stirasukhama'sanam'." (CC-3)
Baba says, "A'sanas are a kind of exercise by regular practice of which the
body stays healthy and hardy and many diseases are cured." (CC-3)
Baba says, "[Specifically] those diseases which create trouble in the path
of meditation may be cured by the help of specific a'sanas, so that
sa'dhana' may more easily be done." (CC-3)
Namaskar,
Parashram
Note: BABA'S GUIDELINES DIRECTLY FROM CARYACARYA
(I) Sarva'unga'sana (all-limbs posture):
(a) Lie down on your back. Gradually raise the entire body and keep it
straight, resting its weight on your shoulders. The chin must be in contact
with the chest. Support both sides of your trunk with your hands. The toes
must remain together; the eyes must be directed at the toes.
(b) Lie down in padma'sana. Gradually raise the body and rest its weight on
your shoulders. Support both sides with the hands. This a'sana is also
known as u'rdhvapadma'sana (inverted lotus posture)'.
Practise three times, up to five minutes each time.
(II) Matsyamudra' (fish posture): Lie down in padma'sana. Rest the crown of
the head on the floor and grasp both the big toes with the hands. Practise
three times. Maximum time for practice is two-and-a-half minutes.
(III) Matsyendra'sana (Matsyendra's posture): generally for males:
(i) Press the mu'la'dha'ra cakra with the right heel. Cross the left foot
over the right thigh and keep it to the right of the thigh. Grasp the left
big toe with the right hand, keeping the right arm along the left side of
the left knee. Reach backwards from the left side with the left hand and
touch the navel.
Turn the neck to the left as far as possible.
(ii) Then press the mu'la'dha'ra with the left heel and reverse the
process. One round means completing the process on both sides.
Practise four rounds, half a minute each time.
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- The Solution -
Baba says, "Whenever there is a conflict between the brain and the heart,
intelligent people should respond to the call of the heart. The books in
A'nanda Ma'rga philosophy are all absolute knowledge. The proper mark of
identity of absolute knowledge is that it must be universal, rational and
psychological. Certain instances of absolute knowledge are as follows--
the goal of human life is the attainment of Brahma; human beings are the
progeny of Parama Purus'a...by dint of sa'dhana' or spiritual practices
human beings gradually become divine." (PNS-18, p.10)
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