This
age is an age of knowledge explosion and e-learning. Tremendous development in
the field of education has been occurred due the increasing use of Information
and communication Technology in the field of education. New Curriculum according to the needs of the
learners and society has been introduced in all stages of education. Innovative
teaching methods, strategies, tools and techniques have been introduced.
Continuous comprehensive evaluation system has been implemented. But man making
and character building education is yet to be achieved due to gradual value
erosion. The objectives of all round development of the students have not been
completely fulfilled. Recently the NCTE has recommended Yoga Education in B.Ed
syllabus. The five thousand years Indian age old body of knowledge ‘Yoga’ is
now considered as one of the effective ways to achieve the goal and objectives
of education. It is the true union of our will to the will of the almighty.
Mahadev Desai in his article Gita
According to Gandhi mentioned, ‘the yoking of all the powers of body, mind
and soul to God; it means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the
emotions, the will, which that Yoga presupposes, means, a poise of soul which
enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly’. Mahatma Gandhi followed
the principles of Yoga and wanted to bring true development of the learners.
Mahatma Gandhi categorically emphasized on the development of body, mind and spirit
which is possible if development of 3 H’s (Head, Hand and Heart) instead of 3
R’s (Reading, Writing, Arethmatic) is given more importance. Development of
body, mind and spirit is possible through the practice of yoga and
implementation of Yoga Education in the curriculum all stages of education.
Mahatma Gandhi propagated and followed the principles of Astanga Yoga for the attainment of Sustainable development and the
sustainability of the human race on this planet.
The origin and concept of Yoga:
The
word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means union of the ‘self’ to the ‘supreme self’ The word
“Yoga” means “yoke” or “unity” translated from Sanskrit, the classical language
of India. It also means “discipline” or “effort.”
Yoga
requires to make an effort to unify our body and mind. We do this by concentrating our awareness on our
physical body through breathing and postures. It is the aim of yoga to achieve
purity and clarity of manas (mind), buddhi (intellect) and chitta (consciousness).
This removal of impurities allows the individual to realize and remain in
original and normal state of uncontaminated joy and bliss.
The five modes of acquiring knowledge
described by Patanjali Maharishi are:
•
(1) Pramana (true cognition based on three
means of validity namely direct perception, inference and verbal testimony from
a trust-worthy person),
•
(2) Viparyaya (false cognition),
•
(3) Vikalpa (merely verbal based cognition),
•
(4) Nidra (through sleep)
•
(5) Smriti (through memory).
There are the three undesirable modes which have to be
totally discarded for the attainment of true knowledge. They are:
•
(1) Kshipta in which mind is wavering
through happiness, turbulent and unhappy states,
•
(2) Moodha in which mind is operating in
negative states, and
•
(3) Vikshipta in which mind appears positive
but can be taken over by the negative tendencies.
The two desirable states which is formed through the practice of yoga are:
•
(4) Ekaagra in which single minded
absorption in God (Paramaatman) and
•
(5) Niruddha which is beyond the state of
single mindedness with total restraint of mental operation.
Types of Yoga:
There
are several types of Yoga. They are: Ananda Yoga ,Ashthanga Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Iyengar
Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Viniyoga Yoga. yoga can be described in different
forms as given below. However, these
forms are inter-related. (1) Bhakti yoga (through devotion), (2)
Karma yoga (through self-less action), (3) Jnana yoga (through self-enquiry and
knowing), (4) Mantra yoga (through mantra), (5) Naada yoga (through
transcendental sacred vibrations), (6) Raja yoga or Ashtanga yoga (through
eight-limb approach), etc.
Various Obstacles in the Course of
Development through Yoga:
The nine
primary obstacles are:
(1)
Disease (Vyaadhi), (2) Mental laziness (Styana), (3) Doubt (Samshaya) , (4)
Lack of enthusiasm and delusion (Pramaada), (5) Lethargy (Aalasya), (6)
Reluctance to give-up the craving of sense-pleasures (Avirati), (7) Erroneous
perception (Bhranti-darshana
Meditation
as a Part of Yoga:
•
Meditation is a technique in which the
meditator seeks not only to reach a deep state of relaxation, but to quiet the
mind. The mind is a chattering monkey that one tries to make quiet with
meditation. Meditation
seeks a state of enlightenment, a freedom from the tyranny of our worries. Meditation is a
conscious mental process that induces a set of integrated physiologic changes
termed the “relaxation response” by Herbert Benson.
•
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI)
was used to identify and characterize the brain regions that are active during
a simple form of meditation.
Astanga Yoga:
There are eight types of yoga in the Yoga sutra of
Sage Patanjal. They are:
YAMA: This step contains five
sub-steps, which need to be practised in the domains of thought, speech and
action.
•
(a) Non-Violence (Ahimsa) (b) Truthfulness
(Satya) (c) Non-Covetedness (Asteya) (d) Continence (Bramhacharya) (e) Non-receiving (Aparigraha)
2. NIYAMA:
This
step also contains five sub-steps, which need to be practised in the domains of
thought, speech and action.
(a) Cleanliness (Shoucha)
(b) Contentment (Santosha) (c) Austerity
(Tapas) (d) Scriptural Study (Svaadhyaya) (e) Surrender to God (ishvara Pranidhaana) 3. ASANA
(Postures)
4. PRAANAYAMA (Regulation
of Vital Force) In Asanas, the body is
held steady in postures drawn from observing animals and nature such as a tree,
mountain etc. In Pranaayama, control of vital forces is focused through proper
regulation of breathing under strict supervision of a qualified Guru.
5. PRATYAAHARA:
in
this step, the yogi practises withdrawing the mind from senses and multiplicity
of thoughts. The withdrawn mind is then directed towards inner-self.
6. DHAARANA: deals with the development of the ability of the indrawn
mind to focus and concentrate on a Sacred Object (such as vision of the Guru,
chosen Deity, and other Sacred forms).
7.DHYAANA: referred as meditation, is continuous contemplation or
concentration on the Sacred Object. Meditation is to be achieved like a lamp
(steady mind) in the absence of flickering wind (wavering worldly thoughts).
8. SAMADHI: This step refers to an experience of
transcendental state of balance and deep spiritual absorption
Health
Conditions in which Yoga may help heal or treat:
Herbert Benson, MD, founding
President of the Mind/Body Medical Institute an Associate Professor of
Medicine, Harvard Medical School conducted a research and showed that the
following diseases may help to heal or
treat. They are:
•
Arthritis, Allergies, Asthma, Hypertension,
Coronary Artery Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
•
Heartburn (GERD), Constipation, Tension
Headaches and Migraines, PMS and Menstrual Discomfort, Menopause, Pain of the
Back, Hips, Knees, Depression & Anxiety, Substance Abuse
•
Skin Disorders, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Overweight
•
Sleep Problems
Role of the Teacher:
The teacher as a
facilitator, motivator, friend, philosopher and guide should come forward to
create a positive class room environment where the age old practice ‘Yoga’ of
our country may be implemented in institutional level for all round development
of the pupils.
Conclusion: It may be concluded that Yoga education is an
effective way to achieve the goal of education.
The aim of true education is to attain self realization. Education is
not for mere employment as it cannot secure the employment of atman .The aim of education is the
building up of character. Knowledge is the means and character building is the
end. Yoga will show a path of transcendental uplift of the learners and pave a
way all round development.
Reference:
1.
Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali, Swami Hariharaananda Aaranya (into English by
P.N. Mukerji) State University of New York Press, Albany
(1983).
2. Yoga Darshana, Ganganath Jha, Jain Publishing
Co., USA (2002).
3. Yoga
Philosophy, Surendranath Gupta, Motilal Banrasidass, Delhi (2005).
4.
Meditation, Mind and Patanjali’s Yoga, Swami Bhaskarananda, Vedanta Society of
Western Washington, Seattle (2001).
5. The
Deeper Dimension of Yoga, Georg Feuerstein, Shambhala Publication,
Massachusetts (2003).
6.
Yoga: Its Scientific Basis, K.T. Behanan, Dover Publications (1964).
7.
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga, H. D. Coulter, Body and Breath, PA (2001).
8.
Inner Workings during Yoga Practice, T.V. Ananthapadmanabha, Anugraha
Publishers, Bangalore, India (1999).
9. The
Science of Yoga, I.K. Taimini, The Theosophical Publishing house, (1979).
10.
Vedantada Belakinnali Patanjali Yogasutragalu (in Kannada), Padaki Nagrajarao,
Sri Shankara Jayanti Mandali, Jayanagar, Banagalore. (2002).
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