The O-town Scene

Students of yoga are usually curious about how to define or grasp the concept of health. In the West, the notion of health is intertwined with our emphasis on run- ning, jogging and spending time on the treadmill. The goal is to bring the heart rate up by speeding the blood flow to dif- ferent parts of the body so that they will be cleansed. However, the yoga system does not emphasize this approach. Instead it offers very simple stretching exercises as a way to sound health. The two outlooks are based on similar concepts of health but offer different ways to refurbish it. Both in the West as well as in yoga, the goal is to restore to the human being perfect health so that one could live a long life of contentment and joy. However, there is a difference. The West- ern view is based on the idea that a human being is a unique entity that is set apart from the world. Its job is to understand the laws of the universe in order to control and lord over the external world. The Western emphasis on running, jogging and walking on the treadmill suggests that by controlling one's metabolism, one controls one's body and health. The idea behind the yoga system is that we are organically connected to this earth as well as to the entire universe. Thus we need to work with the external world by getting recharged with its energy to improve our- selves and others in harmony with nature. In contrast to the Western view, yoga's empha- sis is on the eco-logical balance rather than control of nature. Yoga follows the view of health as un- derstood by the ancient Indian system of Ayurvedic medicine. It believes in three doshas, or humors, that control our health and well-being: a combination of air and water; water and fire and a congealed form of air, water and fire. If there is any imbal- ance of the three doshas, it leads to disease and ill health. The goal of physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and medi- tation exercises (dhyana) is to correct any imbalance among these three doshas so that a person stays healthy and strong and enjoys a long life of contentment and joy. Exercise for this month: Caution: This exercise is offered as a sug- gestion. If done correctly on a regular basis and for a long time, it might help. Meditation on Sound and Silence: Sit in the easy posture. Keep your back, neck and head straight up. Close your eyes. Breathe in and out. Become aware of the sounds around you. Pay attention to the sounds followed by silence, followed by sounds, fol- lowed by silence and so on. Keep your mind on the rhythm of sound, silence, sound, silence, and so on. After doing this for two minutes, go back to normal breathing. When you are trying out this meditation exercise the first time, practice it for two minutes. Go back to your normal breath- ing for two minutes. During the first week, practice it for a total of ten minutes at each sitting with a break for 1-2 minutes of regular breathing. You can also do this meditation exercise while you lie down on your back, or while sitting in a chair. This exercise comes in handy when you are taking a long flight. Dr. Ashok Kumar Malhotra's work through the Ninash Foundation to build schools for the female and minority children of India earned him a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. His program on "Yoga for Relaxation" is shown at 9 a.m. Saturdays on the Public Access Channel 23. His articles are con- densed from his books, available at amazon. com and www.info@ ideaIndia.com. Definitions of 'Health' Vary By Culture 10 O-Town Scene August 7, 2014 Yoga Life By Ashok Kumar Malhotra

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