T. Krishnamacharya said that in ancient society all members were
adept in yogic practices . Although, considering the speed with
which modern life unfolds, it appears difficult to get back to this
state, the following paragraphs look at ways of integrating yoga into
one's life, looking at the Vedic categories of ashrama (stage of life).
The purpose of this information is to give modern yogis the ability
to fade in the complete practices of yoga over their entire lifetime.
The most important quantitative consideration for pranayama is
how to integrate it slowly into our lives. The Yoga Rahasya talks
about limbs of yoga as applicable to ashrama. According to the
Vedas, life unfolds in four stages. The first stage, brahmacharya,
takes up approximately the first 25 years of life. During this time
(brahmacharya ashrama) we learn and study everything that we need
for the rest of our lives. The Yoga Rahasya recommends that one
focus during this stage on asana practice interspersed with certain
mudras such as Maha Mudra and Tadaga Mudra.
The next phase of life, according to the Vedas, is the householder
ashrama (Grihastha ashrama). During this phase we generally marry,
start a family and enter professional life or run a business. As a
rough guide, Grihastha ashrama lasts from age 25 to 50. The Yoga
Rahasya suggests pranayama as one's main form of practice during
this phase, while maintaining the level of asana practice one had
when entering the ashrama. If during the householder stage you
added 30 minutes of pranayama per day to your asana practice, you
would find yourself well prepared to enter the next phase of your
life. The Vedas consider it imprudent, during the householder stage,
to reduce the attention dedicated to your family and professional,
mercantile or administrative services rendered to society. Please note
that the Vedas did not advise dropping out of society to find spiritual
freedom. Instead, they accepted that there were four human goals
(purusharthas): artha (acquisition of wealth), kama (sexual pleasure),
dharma (right action) and moksha (spiritual liberation). Fulfilment of all
four goals makes for a fulfilled life. Generally speaking, as one
progresses through the ashramas there is a progression of focus from
goall to goal4, whereas dharma (right action) applies at all times,
particularly when pursuing artha (wealth) and kama (sexual pleasure).
The situation changes somewhat when entering the Vanaprastha
ashrama, which lasts from age 50 to 75 approximately. Vanaprastha
means forest dweller, referring to the fact that in the ancient days
one would move with one's partner into the forest and build a cabin.
Today we would call this a sea or tree change; the term empty nester
refers to the same stage in life. The Vanaprastha is still available to
family and society in a counselling role, but one's yoga practice time
is now significantly increased due to reduced professional duties
and the fact that one's children are taking care of themselves. The
emphasis on asana may become less, while time spent practising
pranayama may double or triple. A significant meditation and
devotional practice is also introduced here. The main focus of the
Vanaprastha stage of life is spirituality and preparation for samadhi.
The final ashrama, Sannyasa (renunciate), lasts from approximately
75 to 100 years of age. At this point one surrenders all material attachment
and focuses solely on one's practice and service to the Divine.
When we read of extreme forms of pranayama practice, this usually
takes place during this stage of life.
The Vedic idea of yoga is that, rather than plunging head-on into
extreme forms of practice when young, one should develop one's
practice slowly while transiting through the various stages of life
fulfilling one's duties to family and society. This view is taken not
only in the Yoga Rahasya but also, for example, in yogic treatises such
as the Yoga Yajnavalkya and Vasishta Samhita.
adept in yogic practices . Although, considering the speed with
which modern life unfolds, it appears difficult to get back to this
state, the following paragraphs look at ways of integrating yoga into
one's life, looking at the Vedic categories of ashrama (stage of life).
The purpose of this information is to give modern yogis the ability
to fade in the complete practices of yoga over their entire lifetime.
The most important quantitative consideration for pranayama is
how to integrate it slowly into our lives. The Yoga Rahasya talks
about limbs of yoga as applicable to ashrama. According to the
Vedas, life unfolds in four stages. The first stage, brahmacharya,
takes up approximately the first 25 years of life. During this time
(brahmacharya ashrama) we learn and study everything that we need
for the rest of our lives. The Yoga Rahasya recommends that one
focus during this stage on asana practice interspersed with certain
mudras such as Maha Mudra and Tadaga Mudra.
The next phase of life, according to the Vedas, is the householder
ashrama (Grihastha ashrama). During this phase we generally marry,
start a family and enter professional life or run a business. As a
rough guide, Grihastha ashrama lasts from age 25 to 50. The Yoga
Rahasya suggests pranayama as one's main form of practice during
this phase, while maintaining the level of asana practice one had
when entering the ashrama. If during the householder stage you
added 30 minutes of pranayama per day to your asana practice, you
would find yourself well prepared to enter the next phase of your
life. The Vedas consider it imprudent, during the householder stage,
to reduce the attention dedicated to your family and professional,
mercantile or administrative services rendered to society. Please note
that the Vedas did not advise dropping out of society to find spiritual
freedom. Instead, they accepted that there were four human goals
(purusharthas): artha (acquisition of wealth), kama (sexual pleasure),
dharma (right action) and moksha (spiritual liberation). Fulfilment of all
four goals makes for a fulfilled life. Generally speaking, as one
progresses through the ashramas there is a progression of focus from
goall to goal4, whereas dharma (right action) applies at all times,
particularly when pursuing artha (wealth) and kama (sexual pleasure).
The situation changes somewhat when entering the Vanaprastha
ashrama, which lasts from age 50 to 75 approximately. Vanaprastha
means forest dweller, referring to the fact that in the ancient days
one would move with one's partner into the forest and build a cabin.
Today we would call this a sea or tree change; the term empty nester
refers to the same stage in life. The Vanaprastha is still available to
family and society in a counselling role, but one's yoga practice time
is now significantly increased due to reduced professional duties
and the fact that one's children are taking care of themselves. The
emphasis on asana may become less, while time spent practising
pranayama may double or triple. A significant meditation and
devotional practice is also introduced here. The main focus of the
Vanaprastha stage of life is spirituality and preparation for samadhi.
The final ashrama, Sannyasa (renunciate), lasts from approximately
75 to 100 years of age. At this point one surrenders all material attachment
and focuses solely on one's practice and service to the Divine.
When we read of extreme forms of pranayama practice, this usually
takes place during this stage of life.
The Vedic idea of yoga is that, rather than plunging head-on into
extreme forms of practice when young, one should develop one's
practice slowly while transiting through the various stages of life
fulfilling one's duties to family and society. This view is taken not
only in the Yoga Rahasya but also, for example, in yogic treatises such
as the Yoga Yajnavalkya and Vasishta Samhita.
