The 5 Principles of Yoga

Until few decades ago the science of Yoga was considered to be very mysterious and difficult to
follow. The five principles of Yoga were summarized by Swami Vishnu Devananda, disciple of Swami
Sivananda. The purpose was to make the Hatha Yoga philosophy simple and understandable for western
students who didnt know the proper meaning and purpose of Yoga.

Proper Exercise
In contray to many modern physical exercise systems which focus on developing the muscles through
mechanical movement, Yogic physical exercises are designed to develop the body, calm the mind and
to lead to spiritual growth.

Yoga asanas( Yoga poses)  are steady poses which are held for some time. The goal is primarily to
increase the spine flexibility, strengthen the muscles and improve the concentration.

The body is only as young as it is flexible. Yoga exercises focus on the flexibility and strength
of the spine. In the spinal column the all-important nervous system is located. By maintaining the
spine’s healthy state of flexibility and strength the circulation is increased and the nerves
receive the needed supply of nutrients and oxygen. This also has positive effects on the internal
organs and the endocrine system.

Proper Breathing
Most people use only a fraction of their lung capacity for breathing. They breath shallow,mostly
till the chest. Their shoulders are hunched, they have painful tension in the upper part of the
back and neck, and they suffer from lack of oxygen.

Yogic breathing is deep abdominal breathing. It brings air to the lowest and largest part of the
lungs. It ensures that the body receives its supply of oxygen. It prevents painful muscle tension
in the body, headaches and breathlessness. Controlling the vital energy of breath, Prana. Yogic
breathing exercises help to calm and control the mind.

Proper Relaxation
Even while trying to rest, the average person wastes a lot of physical and mental energy through
tension. In the course of one day, our body usually produces all the substances and energy
necessary for the next day. But it often happens that all these substances and energy may be
consumed within a few minutes by bad moods, worry and unnecessary tension. This leads to tiredness,
headaches, and exhaustions and over a long period it may lead to serious illness.

During proper  relaxation, there is practically no energy being consumed or expended. Only a little
of the energy is used to keep the body in normal condition while the remaining portion is being
stored and conserved. This relaxation recharges physically, mentally and spiritually and leads to
more abundance and vitality.

Proper Diet
The diet has profound effect on the physical, mental and spritual body. What you eat is what you
become. The quality and nature of food affects the body as well as thoughts directly. The unhealthy
diet brings disease, laziness, inertia and negative thinking.

The yogic diet consists of vegetarian, pure, simple and natural foods which are easy to digest. The
purpose of eating is to supply the body with the life-force, the cosmic energy “Prana”. The best
nutrition plan for a yoga student is the simple diet of natural, fresh foods, avoiding foods which
are overly stimulating like meats, fish, eggs, onions, garlic, coffee, white sugar, tea (except
herbal), alcohol and drugs.

Meditation
When the surface of a lake is still, one can see to the bottom very clearly. This is impossible
when the surface is agitated by waves. In the same way, when the mind is still, with no thoughts or
desires, you can see the "Self" this is called "Yoga". The mental ability to concentrate is
inherent to all; it is not extraordinary or mysterious. Meditation is not something that a Yogi has
to teach us; we already have the ability to ignore the thoughts. We can control the mental
agitation by two means: by concentrating the mind either externally or internally. Internally, we
focus on the "Self" or the consciousness of "I am".

In order to achieve true and lasting state of happiness and peace we must first learn to calm the
mind, to concentrate and go beyond the mind. All happiness achieved through the mind is temporary
and fleeting; By turning the mind's concentration inward, upon the self, we can deepen that
experience of perfect concentration and feel long lasting peace. This is the state of Meditation".
The goal in meditation is not to become thoughless but to ignore the thoughts arising from our five
senses.