WHERE AND HOW TO SIT FOR OPTIMAL YOGIC BENEFITS

 

Introduction:

While discussing Pranayama in my earlier posts/pages, I discussed in a nutshell about the Pranayama but I have not discussed about the sitting postures and where to sit.  Since, that was my preliminary knowledge during my School days, but here I am dwelling upon my past experience and knowledge. Here, I may be sure that the readers will be satisfied to read this article on “Where to sit and how to sit” for Yoga sadhana.

WHERE TO SIT FOR YOGA SADHANA:

In Chapter 6 and Sloka 11 of The Bhagavat Gita which is the ultimate guide book Yoga sadhana respected by all Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and other communities of people throughout the world for performing Yogasadhana where Lord Krishna said,

“ Suchau deshe pratisthyapa sthiram asanam atmana

Natyuchchhrityam nati-nicham chailajina kushottaram”.

The meaning of the Sloka - the seat should be placed in a sanctified place, neither high nor low  but should be a flat place where there will be no fear of falling down and insect attack and be placed first a Deer skin, Kush grass and a Silk cloth where the energy gained by your body can not be transferred to the earth.

In the initial stage of Yoga sadhana, the place and sitting arrangement creates an impact on the mind and soul. Later even in an impure place, the Yogis able to achieve internal purity of the mind and soul. But for the new practitioners, clean surroundings help in cleaning the mind. Now, why we use Deer skin? The Deer Skin is used to prevent poisonous snakes and scorpions while the Yogis are absorbed in meditation. The Kush mat is used for insulating the temperature from the ground and Silk Cloth is used as an energy insulator.

 

HOW TO SIT FOR YOGA SADHANA:

In Chapter 6 and sloka 12 and 13, the Lord Krishna is saying to his disciple Arjuna as:

“ Tatraikagram mana kritva yata chittendriya kriya,

Upavishyasane yunijyad yogam atma vishuddhye;

Samam Kaya shiro grivam dhyaranna chalam sthira,

Samprekshya nasikagram svam dishash chanavolakayan.”

 The meaning of the above sloka is, the practitioners should sit firmly on his prepared sit and strive to purify the mind by meditation with one pointed concentration, controlling his other thoughts and activities. The practitioners must have to hold the body, head and neck in a straight line (90 degree angle from the seat) and look at the tip of the nose without allowing the eyes to divert.

The Practitioners should preferably sit in Lotus Pose so that his body can be kept firm and straight.

Conclusion:

In today’s world, such type of places are very difficult to find out and therefore the interested people are rushing towards the hills, jungles, caves and lonely places where they can perform. But most of the seekers can not afford. For them, a separate room from a short distance from their house be selected for such practices. Now-a-days, Deer Skin, Kush Mat and Silk Cloth is not available for environmental protection, here Cloth Yoga Mat can be used for practice.