Every human is unique; therefore it is necessary for each one of us to find out for ourselves how we can live a healthy life and how to maintain good health. Health is wealth. We should make choices in life keeping in mind our age, our limitations and our behaviour with others. Ultimately, we are social animals and are dependent on each other for everything, directly or indirectly. Since we are so very different from one another, we have to take care of how we deal with others.
Four fundamentals that take care of maintaining good health include- Achar, my behaviour/conduct with others should always be caring, loving and cordial at all times. Love means giving without expecting anything in return. More critical is Vichar, my way of thinking – we can attempt to always be positive or neutral in that order. We at The Yoga Institute have pioneered many techniques example- Pratipaksha Bhava that helps to convert our negative thoughts into positive, and if we are unable to be positive then we should try to be neutral, but never to allow anything contrary to disturb our balanced state of mind.
The four fundamental pillars (AVAV) are necessary both on and off Yoga mat that help make Yoga as a way of healthy living. Let’s make an effort to absorb the four pillars in our daily lives
- Ahar (Diet) – What we eat, how much we eat, when we eat and how we eat. Sattvic diet advocated by Yogis help infuse positivity and good health.
- Vihar (Recreation) – Our rest/recreation time, our routines should include Niyamas. (Shauca:/Cleanliness every day you should make an effort to keep yourself clean both internally as well as externally. Santosha/ Contentment: Practice being content and a joyful person daily for the benefit of others. Count your blessings. Tapas/ Discipline: Tapas means fire. It is our burning desire and dedication to the practice of yoga. Swadhyaya: Study of the Self: Continual work on one’s self to become a better person is driven by daily yogic practices and study of yogic scripture, text and philosophy. Ishvara Pranidhana: Devotion to God: Be grateful every single day for your life. Have faith in your yoga practice.) The niyamas are methods of refining your personal health and happiness.
- Achar(Conduct) – Our conduct with the external world – which is, in fact, the first step of the 8-fold path i.e.Yamas – Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (Truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation in seeking pleasures), Aparigraha (non-stealing) and
- Vichar (Thoughts) – Our goals in life, our school of thought.
We have to take care of all the four pillars equally to be able to maintain a healthy and happy life. If even one of them is ignored, then we shall have to bear pain, disease and suffering to some intensity. This thought has been reiterated not only in the Yoga Sutras but in Ayurveda and the Bhagwad Gita as well.
DINING HALL
We have to maintain a level-headed approach in our conduct with others at all times; else we will be unhappy. Let’s try to be a little selfless and avoid being materialistic and self-centered with our needs. Let’s work towards sharing happiness and joy in the society we live in. Let’s work towards achieving a balance of all the four pillars into our lives.
Yoga aids the essential union of mind, body and spirit. AVAV is the quintessential means required for not just good health but leading a wholly balanced life with happiness and fulfilment.
Oldest Organised Yoga School in the world – The Yoga Institute has exemplified Yoga way of living for the householders and How to maintain good health. Come let’s go back to the roots of Ashtanga Yoga and rediscover the wholesome form of healthy living.