Abstract:
The chief aim
of education is all round development. Ability building education is a crying
need of today. The ultimate goal of education can be fulfilled through the
initiation of Yoga at all level of education. Yoga is essentially a spiritual
discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing
harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living that
cultivates indomitable will, self-control, self-confidence and strives
ceaselessly for self-realization. Yoga education could help to equip oneself with basic knowledge
about one’s personality, to learn to handle oneself well in all life
situations, to learn techniques of gaining good health, to develop a
discriminative mind capable of knowing the real from the unreal and to face the
dualities of life with equanimity. Yoga education can enhance all the
activities of the students, be it academic or sport or social. Yoga techniques
provide improved attention in studies, better stamina and co-ordination for
sports and a heightened awareness and balanced attitude for social activity.
Yoga education can be integrated in school education during the
time set aside for P.T. but in a calm and quiet place creating the proper
atmosphere for its proper study and practice. Yoga education can supplement
school and university education. It can prepare the students physically and
mentally for the integration of their physical, mental and spiritual faculties
so that the students can become healthier, saner and more integrated members of
the society and of the nation. Yoga education helps in self discipline and
self-control, leading to immense amount of awareness, concentration and higher
level of consciousness. Briefly the aims and objectives of Yoga education are:
1) To enable the student to have good health and proper Physical development.
2) To practice mental hygiene and mental development.
3) To possess emotional stability.
4) To integrate moral values.
5) To attain higher level of inner consciousness and spiritual development.
. All these objectives could be dealt with in an integrated manner.
1) To enable the student to have good health and proper Physical development.
2) To practice mental hygiene and mental development.
3) To possess emotional stability.
4) To integrate moral values.
5) To attain higher level of inner consciousness and spiritual development.
. All these objectives could be dealt with in an integrated manner.
Key Words: ‘Pramana’ Viparyaya
Vikalpa , Nidra
Kshipta , Moodha , Vikshipta Ekaagra ,Paramaatman Niruddha, Smriti(Vyaadhi),
(Styana), (Samshaya) , (Pramaada), ((Aalasya), (Avirati), Bhranti-darshana
Introduction:
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
Various Vritis:
•
various operations of the mind (referred as vrittis) are
given by five modes.
•
Among these the three undesirable modes 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 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.
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)
•
(8)Despair due to progress in concentration (Alabdha
bhoomikatva) and
•
(9) Inability of retaining a level of concentration once
obtained (Anavasthitatva).
Five additional obstacles:
•
(1) Avidya or wrong knowledge obtained on the basis of
temporal taken as eternal,
•
(2) Asmita or false notion based on the wavering mind
identified as self,
•
(3) Raga or passion due to attachment to pleasures,
•
(4) Dvesha or aversion resulting from disliking of things,
pain, etc. and
•
(5) Abhinivesha or instinctive fear of death and its causes.
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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