Asanas and Yoga-Postures

Asanas-Yoga Postures

Asanas or yoga postures are a series of stretching and bending exercises which cure the body of different ailments, thus helping one to perform meditation properly.  Asanas must be learnt from a qualified Ananda Marga teacher.  Most of the exercises are simple to master after only a few weeks of daily practice.  The daily practice of asanas is one of the greatest aids to achieving perfect, physical health and calm tension-free mind.

Along with the asanas, there are three major spiritual dances taught in Ananda Marga, which cure the body of different diseases, make our mind very strong and lift our spirits to the state of infinite happiness (bliss).  These dances are learned from a qualified spiritual teacher and are practiced daily 5-10 minutes along with the meditation and asanas.  The dances are also accompanied with a spiritual song which enables us to experience within the mysterious love of God.  The dances are extremely easy to learn and very enjoyable to perform.

YOGA

‘the path of self realization…’

Is yoga a religion?

No, yoga is not concerned with any religion.

What is yoga?

Yoga is scientific practice of all-round development of the body, mind and spirit of a person in particular and of society in general.

Is there any preferable God needed for Yoga practice?

No, it depends on your religious belief and the God you are associated with

Who can practice Yoga?

Any individual concern can practice regardless of caste, creed, colour, religion and gender at any age.

How yoga affects scientifically and biologically to the human body and mind?

There are several endocrine glands in the body which secrete hormone; over or under secretion of various glands can cause emotional and mental disturbance, which destroy health and peace of mind.   By practicing ASANA (some kinds of physical exercise) one can pressurize or depressurize the grandular secretions, and thus increase or decrease the activities of the propensities which have a greater cause in the sphere of mental realm.

What is Asana and physiological benefits in the body?

The Asanas or postures which are held with proper inhalation and exhalation exercise the nerves, tissues, glands and organs of the human body.  While the practicing asanas, one enjoys physical composure and inner peace.

YOGA FOR HEALTH

Benefits of Asana:

Asanas control the glands-the glands control hormone secretions-hormones control mental propensities there by developing:

-Self control
-Patience
-Rational mind
-Sound health
-Good appearance
-Contentment in wordily affairs
-Pleasant personality

What is the difference between ‘Yoga’ and ‘Meditation’?

Yoga prepares for better meditation and mediation helps one obtain liberation from physical and mental bondage.  Thus “meditation is nothing but the concentration, which brings the unification of the unit mind and cosmic mind”.

 

The Practice

The physical yoga exercises (asanas) of Ananda Marga are ancient time-tested methods for improving and healing the body. Our techniques are classical and non-commercial, i.e. uncomplicated and non-competitive. They are practiced slowly without any pain, stress or dizziness. Exercises are prescribed individually according to ones own needs relating to the bodys hormones, nerves, internal organs, blood circulation, general vitality, and specific diseases. Everyone has the capacity to do yoga. Even people in wheelchairs have appropriate exercises. AM yoga is being practiced by people of various religious and belief systems all over the world.
In the long run, meditation is even more important than physical yoga. If practiced regularly, one begins to experience its benefits in a matter of two to three weeks or less. The positive changes vary from person to person, e.g., overcoming:

• stress
• emotional weaknesses
• sleep disturbances
• addictions
• bad habits

It may also develop:

• concentration
• creativity
• intuition
• personal relations
• will-power,
• ability to adhere to one's conscience

Ultimately, it directly leads to self-realization.
Yoga also includes numerous other useful practical systems for:

• bathing
• sleeping
• eating
• exercise
• hygiene
• fasting
• service
• study

- See more at: http://amwellness.org/ananda-marga-yoga/#sthash.Vof3NyOb.dpuf

The Practice

The physical yoga exercises (asanas) of Ananda Marga are ancient time-tested methods for improving and healing the body. Our techniques are classical and non-commercial, i.e. uncomplicated and non-competitive. They are practiced slowly without any pain, stress or dizziness. Exercises are prescribed individually according to ones own needs relating to the bodys hormones, nerves, internal organs, blood circulation, general vitality, and specific diseases. Everyone has the capacity to do yoga. Even people in wheelchairs have appropriate exercises. AM yoga is being practiced by people of various religious and belief systems all over the world.
In the long run, meditation is even more important than physical yoga. If practiced regularly, one begins to experience its benefits in a matter of two to three weeks or less. The positive changes vary from person to person, e.g., overcoming:

• stress
• emotional weaknesses
• sleep disturbances
• addictions
• bad habits

It may also develop:

• concentration
• creativity
• intuition
• personal relations
• will-power,
• ability to adhere to one's conscience

Ultimately, it directly leads to self-realization.
Yoga also includes numerous other useful practical systems for:

• bathing
• sleeping
• eating
• exercise
• hygiene
• fasting
• service
• study

- See more at: http://amwellness.org/ananda-marga-yoga/#sthash.Vof3NyOb.dpuf

The Practice

The physical yoga exercises (asanas) of Ananda Marga are ancient time-tested methods for improving and healing the body. Our techniques are classical and non-commercial, i.e. uncomplicated and non-competitive. They are practiced slowly without any pain, stress or dizziness. Exercises are prescribed individually according to ones own needs relating to the bodys hormones, nerves, internal organs, blood circulation, general vitality, and specific diseases. Everyone has the capacity to do yoga. Even people in wheelchairs have appropriate exercises. AM yoga is being practiced by people of various religious and belief systems all over the world.
In the long run, meditation is even more important than physical yoga. If practiced regularly, one begins to experience its benefits in a matter of two to three weeks or less. The positive changes vary from person to person, e.g., overcoming:

• stress
• emotional weaknesses
• sleep disturbances
• addictions
• bad habits

It may also develop:

• concentration
• creativity
• intuition
• personal relations
• will-power,
• ability to adhere to one's conscience

Ultimately, it directly leads to self-realization.
Yoga also includes numerous other useful practical systems for:

• bathing
• sleeping
• eating
• exercise
• hygiene
• fasting
• service
• study

- See more at: http://amwellness.org/ananda-marga-yoga/#sthash.Vof3NyOb.dpuf

Education and Neohumanism

Education

Ananda Marga is educating thousands of young children through its 200 pre-schools throughout the continent.  The mission of man making must start from a young age, hence the Ananda Marga’s educational program presently concentrates on pre-primary schools in Africa.  The education provided, termed ‘’Neo-Humanistic Education”, provides the child with both a universal outlook as well as as expert tuition in the basic aspects of reading, writing and arithmetic.  The Neo-Humanistic education harmoniously develops the creative, intuitive aspect of the child, simultaneously with his rational, analytical aspect. 

Meaning of Education

ENLARGEMENT OF MIND
DESMEP (Dicipline, Etiquette, Smartness, Morality, English & Pronounciation)

UNIVERSAL OUTLOOK
CHARACTER
ACTIVE HABITS
TRUSTWORTHINESS
IDEATION OF THE GREAT
OMNISCIENT GRACE
NICE TEMPERAMENT

The Educated are those who learn much, know much & practice what they know.

Education and Neohumanism

You know, it is the inherent nature of all living beings to expand their physical arena, and for this purpose, rather, because of this fundamental characteristic (this trait is nothing but a sort of fundamental characteristic), they exploit others, they forget the interest of other living beings.  Just now I said that this is the inherent nature of all living beings, both humans and animals.  But human beings have another characteristic, another inborn instinct, and that is to expand their psychic arena also.  So unlike other animals, human beings have the opportunity to divert their physical longings into spiritual longings, into spiritual aspirations.  Other animals do not have this opportunity.  But because of this psychic characteristic human beings exploit others on the psychic level as well as on the physical level and this exploitation on the psychic level is even more dangerous than on the physical one. 

So that there may not be any intellectual extravaganza or any physical subjugation, human beings require proper training both physically and mentally.  And this is what is called education-properly training the physical and also the psychic existences.  Because of the lack of such a training at the proper time, there is no perfect coordination, no happy adjustment, between one’s inner being and outer being.  Sometimes people seem very sincere to hear them talk, but there is not an iota of sincerity in their inner world.  And this is what happens in the modern world:  both individual and collective existence has become one-sided, it has lost its balance.  Thus what we require most is proper system of education.

Just to show their sincerity of purpose, just to show that they are developed human beings, sometimes people speak of disarmament.  They say that there

should be a check, a control, over the manufacturing of deadly weapons, even more deadly weapons, just to keep others under their servitude in the physical sphere.  This is nothing but the worst type of brutality.  Once a certain leader said,”keep the prospects of peace alive, but keep your powder dry”.  That is what is happening today.  This physical longing should be diverted towards psychic longings, but if it is diverted towards psychic longing by proper mundane education, that will not suffice.  In that case there still remains the fear of psychic subjugation.  So the remedy lies elsewhere. 

Yes , people should be motivated by human feelings, human sentiments, human ideas.  No doubt it would be good if human feelings could serve as a mortal check in this competition of weapons, but don’t take this prospect as the last word: human feelings cannot check the infighting prevalent among human beings.  For this purpose we should have a two-fold approach.  For this purpose of training this turbulent mind, what should be done?   We will have to educate the mind of properly, along the lines of Neohumanism.  This Neohumanism education will impart proper training to the mind.  And at the same time there should be spiritual practice for proper psychic transformation.  This is what we require the most.  There is no alternative. 

What is Ananda Marga?

What is Ananda Marga?

Ananda Marga is a social-economic, spiritual and social service organization founded in India in 1955 by Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Skarkar, also known as Shri Shri Anandamurtii. 

The name ‘Ananda Marga’ is derived from the ancient language Samskrta.  The word ‘Ananda’ means infinite happiness, and the word ‘Marga’ means path-the path of infinite happiness or the path of bliss.

The goal of Ananda Marga is “self-realization and service to the humanity” ‘self realization’ through meditation and ‘service’ through charitable work.

Ananda Marga came to Zambia in 1975.  It has since then established different kinds of social service projects to inspire and motivate individuals, public and private organizations and institutions.

Our school is situated in Lusaka at Plot No. 6 Zungulu Road, Emmasdale.  It was founded in the late 70’s.  Many children have learnt through this school.  It is now accommodating children from pre-school up to Grade 5.

We teach our students the Neo-Humanistic Education which enables them to train their minds not only in Human but also in Plants and Animals.  In the Neo- Humanistic Education we believe the universe is a common property of all.