Living the Yama – Niyama

Short Essay prepared in 2013 for the Course Philosophy of Yoga dictated by the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies (OCHS).

Yoga Life (February), 2024

February 2024 issue of Yoga Life, the monthly journal of Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International), ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India.

Yoga Life, 2022

This month’s covers are extravagant in colour as they depict amazing events happening here in Pondicherry. The historic inauguration of the Institute of Salutogenesis & Complementary Medicine (ISCM) at Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry on 22 August 2022 finds pride of place as it may well be the first such institute in a medical setting globally. The illustrious Chief Guest of the inaugural was Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan (Chairman NAAC EC) who is a noble human being and living manifestation of “Swasth”. Heartfelt gratitude is due to the Chancellor of SBV Shri MK Rajagopalan, Vice Chancellor Prof. SC Parija, Dean of Faculty Prof N Ananthakrishnan and to the Former VC Prof KR Sethuraman who seeded the concept of Salutogenesis in all of us at SBV. Dr Ananda has been chosen to lead the ISCM that will offer a wide variety of courses through its Schools of Yoga Therapy and Music Therapy. The wonderful educational visit by students of Loyola Marymount University's Master of Arts in Yoga Studies, USA is depicted on the other cover pages as we share special moments from their intensive 3-day Yoga Chikitsa program in the ICYER of Ananda Ashram, CYTER of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth and at the Sri Kambaliswamy Madam. Beautiful reflections on their learning at Pondicherry are shared by three of the visitors in the inner pages of this month’s issue. We also share two amazing articles from the pen of our beloved Ammaji and an elaborate yet poignant reflection by Jennifer Kanazawa, on her deep experiences during the Gitananda Nada Yoga Immersion with Yogacharini Sangeeta and Dr Ananda. May the Guru Parampara continue to bless us and may we be worthy of their loving grace.

2025

Yoga, a holistic system originating in ancient India, is a powerful practice that integrates the body, mind, and spirit. With its rich roots in philosophy, yoga emphasizes balance, mindfulness, and self-awareness, making it an effective tool for improving overall health and promoting longevity. As modern research continues to validate the health benefits of yoga, it is gaining recognition as a cornerstone of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This essay provides a comprehensive exploration of yoga's science and how it can be utilized for holistic health, incorporating daily yoga exercises, dietary recommendations, pranayama practices, and spiritual growth techniques, with a focus on how they can benefit middle-aged and senior citizens. Additionally, this essay will offer practical tips for maintaining healthy weight and height, and recommend credible yoga centres for those seeking professional guidance.

Yoga Life (March), 2024

March 2024 issue of Yoga Life, the monthly journal of Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International), ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India.

Yoga Life (September), 2024

September 2024 issue of Yoga Life, the monthly journal of Yoga Jivana Satsangha, ICYER Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India.)

Ācārya Kundakunda’s Niyamasāra , 2019

‘Niyamasāra’ by Ācārya Kundakunda (circa 1st century BC) is among the finest spiritual texts that we are able to lay our hands on in the present era. The treatise expounds, with authority, the nature of the soul (ātmā) from the real, transcendental point-of-view (niścayanaya). It expounds the essence of the objects of knowledge, and, by the word ‘niyama’, the path to liberation. ‘Niyamasāra’ is the Word of the Omniscient Lord. It has the power to bestow ineffable happiness of liberation that is utterly rid of attachment, without obstruction, eternal, and sense-independent. This happiness is attained by meditating on the perfect-soul-substance which is pristine, and endowed with four qualities of infinite-knowledge, imperishable, indestructible, and indivisible. Worthy men aspiring for supreme happiness who comprehend this Scripture without contradiction of the empirical (vyavahāra) and the transcendental (niścaya) points-of-view are able to adopt conduct that leads their souls to the desired goal. By concentrating on the pure (śuddha) and inseparable (abheda) ‘Three Jewels’ (ratnatraya), eternal happiness appertaining to the perfect-soul-substance is attained. ‘Niyamasāra’ discourses right exertion for the soul and its fruit, the supreme liberation.

Yoga Life, 2021

December 2021 issue of Yoga Life, the monthly journal of Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International), Pondicherry, India.

Today’s we are facing various Global Challenges for Humanity such as sustainable development & climate change, clean water, population & resources, democratization (crisis of faith), Long term perspectives (Economic recession), Global Convergence of IT, Rich-Poor gap, Health issues, capacity to decide, Peace & conflict (Stress), Status of woman, Transnational Organized Crime, Energy, Science & technology, Globe Ethics etc. are continuously haunting life of everyone and adversely affecting the balance of Human Life. So it's the time to reconnect with our roots to find the permanent solution for managing our Life and it can only be possible through YOG. Yoga is not merely a gesture or Posture only, rather it's a way of Living, It's the art of managing Life. In this particular paper the researcher has tried their level best to put forward the different main sutras from Indian Yogic text which clearly supports the present work and proves that Yoga is the only solution for bringing Health, Happiness & Harmony thereby resulting in Life management. Keywords: yoga, life, management, diet, health, happiness.