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Yoga is a discipline to improve or develop one's inherent power in a balanced manner. It guide and offers the means to attain complete self-realization. The literal meaning of the sanskrit word yoga is 'Yoke'. Yoga can therefore be defined as a means of uniting the individual spirit with the universal spirit of god.
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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==
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Yoga is a discipline to improve or develop one's inherent power in a balanced manner. It guides and offers the means to attain complete self-realization. The literal meaning of the sanskrit word yoga is 'to enjoin'. Yoga can therefore, be defined as a means of uniting the individual atman with the universal brahman.
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OBJECTIVES
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== OBJECTIVES ==
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• Explain the term Pratyahara
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Explain the terms Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi;
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List the special features of Pratyahara
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List the special features of Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi;
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Describe the benefits of Pratyahara
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Describe the benefits of Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and
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Adopt the correct procedure for practicing Pratyahara
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Samadhi; and
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== PRATYAHARA ==
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Pratyahara is derived from the sanskrit word - 'Prati' meaning ‘away’ or ‘against’ and 'ahara' meaning ‘nourishment’ or ‘food’. Therefore, the whole word denotes a withdrawal from what nourishes the senses. Pratyahara means ‘withdrawal of the senses’. It's a powerful way to master the mind, cultivate inner peace and boost one's focus and concentration.
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• Adopt the correct procedure for practicing, Pratyahara,
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However, before learning to control one's senses, it is important to understand why it is required to do. Pratyahara is considered important in yoga helping the practitioner into Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and eventually, to the goal of Samadhi (union with the Divine). By withdrawing the focus from the senses and the external environment, the mind can turn inward, deepening yogic practice. The main objective of Pratyahara is about training the mind to withdraw from the senses. Therefore, the prime benefits of Pratyahara include
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Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
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• Allowing the mind to be peaceful so that good concentration can be developed.
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PRATYAHARA
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• Helping to stay away from distraction or disturbance
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Pratyahara is derived from the sanskrit word - prati, meaning ‘away’ or ‘against’. and ahara, meaning ‘nourishment’ or ‘food’. Therefore, the whole word denotes a withdrawal from what nourishes the senses. Pratyahara means ‘withdrawal of the senses’. It's a powerful way to master your mind, cultivate inner peace, and boost your focus and concentration. Before we can actually teach kids to control their senses, they need to understand what they are required to do . Start by identifying the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. Pratyahara is considered important in yoga helping the practitioner into concentration, meditation and, eventually, to the goal of samadhi (union with the Divine). By withdrawing the focus from the senses and the external environment, the mind can turn inward, deepening yogic practice.
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== THE PRACTICE ==
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The Practice of Pratyahara involves
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The main objective of Pratyahara is about training the mind to withdraw from the senses.
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1. Reducing the physical stimuli as much as possible. This is crucial, especially at the beginning.
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Benefits
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2. Sitting comfortably on a chair, on the floor, or in any other comfortable position of one's choice except lying down as the posture may induce sleep. Because, Pratyahara is not relaxation, it is an exercise of awareness. And the idea is to remain conscious and not sleep.
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• It allows the mind to be peaceful so that good concentration can be developed.
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3. Closing the eyes and not moving the body or moving as little as possible for about 10 minutes.
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It helps to stay away from distraction or disturbance
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=== GENERAL GUIDELINES ===
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Gossips and negative talks should be avoided.
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PRACTICE PRATYAHARA
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• One should associate with good friends for, one rotten mango spoils the entire basket of fruits.
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1. Reduce the physical stimuli as much as you can. This is crucial, especially at the beginning.
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• One should observe the nature as it helps create a sense of wonder that one can carry over to other aspects of life. It also helps one become more aware.
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2. Sit comfortably on a chair, on the floor, or try to get into any other comfortable position of your choice. Probably it is not a good idea to lie down, because if you do, you might fall asleep. Remember, the idea is to remain conscious and not to doze off. Pratyahara is not relaxation, it is an exercise of awareness.
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Nature gives you the chance to engage all the senses. Enjoy the rising sun, full moon, gaze at the tree, observe the birds, listen to the chirping of the birds etc.
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3. Close your eyes and try to move your body as little as possible for about 10 minutes.
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• One should listen to good music as it will have a great impact on developing positive aspect of one's personality.
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GENERAL GUIDELINES
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Singing and music play an important role in our culture, especially singing and listening to bhajans. Right from birth, parents instinctively use music to calm and soothe children, to express love and joy, and to engage and create interaction. Inculcate a sense of appreciation for Indian classical music, try to learn Tabla, Sitar, Santoor or Harmonium etc.
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Avoid gossips and negative talks
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One should observe one's feeling before and while having food because we think on the basis of whatever we eat and in turn act according to what we think. Therefore, one should
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Gossip is a bad thing for children especially when done with the intention is to say or spread words that are hurtful, damaging to a one's feelings or reputation.
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• Wash hands and legs before eating.
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Associate with good friends
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Pray to Kuladevata (Family Deity) or the Upasyadevata (Deity of worship) before having food
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Once there was a fruit seller. He had a few mangoes in his basket. All the mangoes were good, except the one, which was rotten. He thought, 'If I leave this rotten mango in the basket full of good mangoes then that rotten mango too would turn to good'. So, he left the rotten mango in the basket full of good mangoes. However, a week later, when he opened the basket, he was shocked to see that, contrary to his expectation, all the good mangoes had become rotten. Keep this point in mind, and always try to remain in the company of good and well-mannered friends.
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• Avoid talking while having food. Instead, have food with a pleasant mind thanking the Supreme Being for the same.
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Observing the nature
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Avoid wastage of food.
 
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Observing the nature helps create a sense of wonder in you, which you can carry over to other aspects of your life. Being out in nature helps children to become more aware. Nature gives you the chance to engage all the senses. Enjoy the rising sun, full moon, gaze at the tree, observe the birds, listen to the chirping of the birds etc.
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• Listening to good music
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Singing and music play an important role in our culture, especially singing and listening to bhajans. Right from birth, parents instinctively use music to calm and soothe children, to express love and joy, and to engage and create interaction. Inculcate a sense of appreciation for Indian classical music, try to learn Tabla, Sitar, Santoor or Harmonium etc. These will have a great impact on developing positive aspect of the personality.
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• Observe your feeling before food and while having food
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You must be fond of food items such as vada-pav, pav-bhaji, pizzas, chinese food, biscuits, potato chips and cold drinks. But are you aware of the adverse effects of consuming these items in excess? These have a harmful effect on our mind and body. We think on the basis of whatever we eat and in turn act according to what we think.
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Let us understand this with the help of this story
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Once, a Monk committed a theft at king's palace after having his meal. The king was shocked at this incident and sought to find out how even a Monk could commit a theft. While investigation, he found out that the cook who had prepared that day's meal had committed a theft. In this way, the food served, became a medium to pass the bad habit.
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Homemade food is fresh, healthy and easy to digest. Not only it satisfies our hunger but also provides us with good nutrition.
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• Wash your hands and legs before eating your lunch.
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• Before having food, pray to Kuladevata (Family Deity) or the Upasyadevata (Deity of worship).
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• Do not talk in between while having your food. Have food with a pleasant mind thanking the supreme for the food.
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• Finish all the food in your plate. Do not waste anything.
 

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