Yoga and Meditation: For the mind, body, and soul

Yoga is not only about asanas or meditating in isolation. They merge with each other in more ways than one.

For many novice yoga practitioners, the practice of yoga only extends to the practice of asanas. They believe that achieving enough flexibility to perform a variety of asanas with ease is the end goal. While that is an admirable objective, most practitioners are unaware that another component of yoga – known as yoga meditation – is needed for the body to reach its full potential.

It seems surprising at first, but meditation cannot be performed without the right form, and the right form is not possible without yoga meditation. Let’s understand this with an example. You might begin each yoga session with meditation, for which you must sit cross legged, back straight, shoulders pushed back. This pose forces you to utilise the mid- and lower back muscles that you normally do not use. You might sit at your desk all day, but chances are that you slump in your chair instead of sitting upright. Also, sitting cross-legged puts pressure on the hips and inner thighs, which you may not have experienced in a long time.

This is just one example of how yoga and meditation are connected to each other. Let’s consider a few more which illustrate the benefits of practicing both yoga and meditation together:

• Each yoga asana prepares the body for meditation. Normally, meditation follows a series of yoga asanas, so that the muscles and mind may relax. Each asana stretches the body, improving its dexterity. Meditation following this activity helps the worked out body relax.
• Most people believe that yoga asanas by themselves improve the body’s overall fitness and natural processes. This is only partly true. The blood gets oxygenated during yoga meditation, when you breathe in and out in a controlled manner. The oxygenated blood then travels to the body’s organs and benefits them as well.
• Good breath control taught in yoga meditation also has the benefit of helping the body eliminate toxins and microbes through the breath. However, the body must be ready for this activity by practicing yoga asanas for at least 45 minutes.
• Asanas make meditation even more effective, since each of them are devised to direct the body’s energies towards the spine. The spine holds the body’s ‘shakti’, which is then directed towards the brain. When meditation follows, these energies unlock our consciousness and make us more alert about our surroundings.
• In short, as Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras surmise, the practice of yoga and meditation are interlinked. They go together to connect our soul to the rhythms of the universe. They help one forget the physical body to connect with the inner mind.