Our Principles
Ancient
Just as tortoises are believed to have existed since the era of dinosaurs, similarly, yoga too is ancient. Some studies show that yoga has been around since 10,000 years, while others prove that yoga came into existence about 5000 years ago. There are also a set of historians that believe that yoga has been around since the beginning of civilization.
The debate about the ancientness of yoga could be a long and tiring one. Instead of drifting away from the main subject, we’d like to retain the focus mainly on the essence of yoga.
For a lifestyle to have existed as long as it has and to continue to exist, yoga only proves its worthiness by standing strong against the test of time.
In our Yogashala (yoga school), we aspire to teach this very form of lifestyle in the most authentic way possible, while relating to the recent, most modern systems of research.
Adaptability
We all know how adaptable tortoise is being an amphibian – can live under water or on land.
When it comes to Yoga, adaptability takes a whole new dimension! It’s not just about adaptability of the physical body, but also about factors related to mind.
Yoga is all about gaining complete mastery over body and mind! Like Lord Krishna says repeatedly in Bhagavad Gita to win over the 3 pairs of opposites – heat/cold, pleasure/pain, honour/dishonour (one eg., Chapter 6.7)! Essentially these 3 pairs of opposites covers body zone, cognitive zone and intellectual (ego) zone!
So yes, a yoga practitioner eventually learns how to remain unaffected in any situation – thus being perfectly adaptable to any situation. He can control body temperature or blood pressure in equal ease!
The debate about the ancientness of yoga could be a long and tiring one. Instead of drifting away from the main subject, we’d like to retain the focus mainly on the essence of yoga.
For a lifestyle to have existed as long as it has and to continue to exist, yoga only proves its worthiness by standing strong against the test of time.
In our Yogashala (yoga school), we aspire to teach this very form of lifestyle in the most authentic way possible, while relating to the recent, most modern systems of research.
Longevity
Secret of longevity is primarily associated with breathing and metabolism rate. Tortoise typically takes only 3-4 breaths per minute, compared to 15 breaths we humans inhale, thus tortoises are known to live for 150+ years!
Gaining control over breath is a primary focus area in Yoga. Pranayama – one of the limbs of ashtanga system, completely focuses on different breathing techniques aimed for different results.
Breathing techniques prescribed by yoga, helps practitioners to conserve energy throughout his sadhana – it’s about “doing more with less”!
Calmness
Ever seen an angry tortoise? 😉 Well, could be a topic for next sci-fi cartoon if there’s one! Well, that reminds us of Master Oogway – the character in Kungfu Panda – a pinnacle of calmness.
One of the beauty of yoga is that, even when you’re doing Āsana abhyās in the right way, it still leaves you calm, never agitated! Of course, the end goal of yoga is to attain eternal calmness – or in other words, Samādhi!
Defense
The protective shell of the tortoise is symbolic in many ways to yoga.
The Kūrma āsana is representative of how the tortoise withdraws itself into the shell and protects itself, our mind too should withdraw from distractions to develop a strong and stable mind.
Āsana and Prānāyāma is well known to develop a strong and immune body – our much-needed shell, especially in current situation of the pandemic. These routines works well on both, sthūla and sūkshma shareera (gross and subtle body parts), while mind is engaged as a keen observer to the action happening in these parts. This holistic way of engaging the “entire you”, helps build a strong body and mind! Needless to say, this in itself will be a strong protective cover!
Stability
The unique shape of the shell, naturally lends stability when the tortoise chooses to withdraw into it.
Even in our purāṇās, the lord manifested in Kūrma avatāra, to provide a stable base to place the Méru Parvata, which was to be used for churning the ocean!
In Yoga, everything is about stability – Patanjali states – Sthiram Sukham Āsanam – that asana should always be held stable where the practitioner is in complete peace.
Stability in yoga is applicable in multiple dimensions – in practice, in regulation, in sustenance, in mind! It is the journey, it is the destination!