Fifteen Minutes Yoga

So now I am ready to start Yoga. How do I go about it. What should I do. When do I perform Yoga, morning or evening. Where do I do Yoga, inside, outside, noisy or quiet surroundings. All these questions must be clearly answered for a person starting to do Yoga.

Why am I doing Yoga, what is my goal, what shall I achieve after practicing for a month, two months, a year.

One can perform Yoga at a time that one is available, preferably in a quiet place, covered from above. There should not be food in the stomach, that means four hours after meals, or two hours after snacks. Early morning is a good time, sure, but most of us get up late and then rush through the morning essentials, grabbing a bite, and get to our place of work.

If you are advised to get up at 5 AM and do Yoga, the only achievement you are going to have is a serious feeling of guilt everyday, of not being able to do. Ideally whatever time you come back from work is a good time to refresh yourself before anything else. Take off your shoes, wash your hands, smile at your children and wife, listen to them, and take to your Yoga corner, with a mat. If the place is less noisy, it is better. Wear comfortable clothes, your choice, not mine. Your body should not be constrained. Indoors is better initially.

Sit down, say a little prayer with eyes closed.

If you got 15 minutes, start with a fifteen minute session. Do one or two systematic breathing exercises synchronising breath with body movements (total three minutes), and one relaxation exercise (three minutes)and five minutes of Pranayama say Anuloma -viloma, and 'sectional breathing'. This followed by a small prayer should take you 15 minutes.

What will you get, it will certainly be worth the time and effort. Relaxed body and mind to start with. Hopefully, much more....let's see.

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

Often used in the Upanishads, this is a Shanti Mantra. Sham is to quench, the sound that emanates when water is poured over burning wood, that is. Om or Aum is a sound, mix of A, U and M. The basic sound affects the body and the mind. This sound is used as an indicator of the "Supreme", the all powerful, the one who gives light to Sun.

There are fires burning. Someone has misbehaved. I am unhappy. I can not forget the taunt, the disgrace, the insult. Every time I remember the incident, it rekindles the smoldering embers. Let us have a Shantih of this fire, burning inside.

I acted foolish. I now realize. I lost money due to my foolishness. I hurt someone, that someone may forget, but I don't. I will always remember. I can not forgive myself. The fire must be quenched for getting me back to normal.

There was an earthquake, a tsunami or a market turmoil. I lost all that was mine created with labor and love. Again a fire will remain and disturb me all the while.

We pray that the fires be quenched. Whom are we praying to? Who is the subject? Upanishads do not mention.
What is the process for this Shantih of the three fires? Who is going to quench?

The process of forgiving comes to mind. In Jain religion it has been woven as a practice, an annual ritual. Householders visit friends and relatives to ask, and seek forgiveness on a specific day. How about forgiving ourselves. It is tougher. It can be done. We are to, as a ritual do it, telling ourselves that we forgive past mistakes and be OK with ourselves. Similar to an adult ego state saying, "I am OK, you are OK.".

So, we pray that the three fires be quenched, meaning that we be successful in forgiving the Elements, the Society, and Ourselves. This should provide a healthy and peaceful environment within and without.

Engineers' Yoga

Engineers are characterized by being logical (by and large, that is). So what is Engineers' yoga. It is logical. If you do not understand the cause and effect relationship, don't do it. No mumbo-jumbo.

You cant bend your back, still you can do Yoga. You have just 15 minutes a day, and no more-sure you can do yoga. Who said yoga requires at least one hour a day. How many people can spare one hour every day.

Yoga is what yoga does. Sense of well being, becoming a better human, relaxed-alert approach, better decision making are all attained by yoga. Abhyasa (practice, or discipline) and Vairagya (non-attachment) achieve bring around these changes. Yoga is essentially a plus (+) sign, similar to 'yoke'. Togetherness is yoga. Togetherness of self, body and mind is achieved by following good practices in behaviour, control of senses, physical practices, breathing practices, and meditation.

The main theme is awareness, perfect awareness at all times. Initially limited awareness for limited period.

If a person is aware, she knows what is good for her and does that.

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