The Five Principles of Yoga

by Swami Vishnudevananda

Yoga is a complete science of self-discipline. yoga balances, harmonises, purifies and strengthens the body, mind and soul of the practitioner. It shows the way to perfect health, perfect mind control and perfect peace with one’s Self, the world, nature and God. Millions of people have begun to practice yoga through the application of the simple time-tested techniques.

Positive, focused thoughts are much more powerful than negative, confused thoughts. No external technology can control surging emotions and imaginations. No type of alcohol, drugs (whether tranquillisers, sleeping pills, or wake-up pills), or other such instruments can hope to offer a long-term solution to epidemic mental weakness. These chemicals destroy not only the bodies and minds of the users but also those of their offspring creating genetic disturbances and unbalancing the mental vibration. Real peace comes only to those who can control the body and mind with proper self-discipline.

Yogis say that we were not born merely to be subject to pain, suffering, disease and death. There is far greater purpose in life. But the spiritual investigation of life’s purpose requires a keen and strong will, the products of a healthy body and mind. For this reason, the ancient sages developed an integral system to ward off or retard the decaying catabolic process, and to keep the physical and mental faculties strong. By closely observing the life-style of the modern men and women of this planet I have synthesised the ancient wisdom of yoga into five basic principles, which can be easily incorporated into everyone’s own pattern of life. These principles are: 1) proper exercise 2) proper breathing 3) proper relaxation 4) proper diet and 5) positive thinking & meditation.

Proper exercise

Proper exercise acts as a lubrication system to the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and so forth, by increasing circulation and flexibility. Yogic exercise can be compared to no other system in its complete overhauling of the entire being. A yoga asana, posture, is meant to be held for some time. Performed slowly and consciously, the asanas not only produce physical benefits, but are mental exercises in concentration and meditation.

Yoga exercise focuses first on the health of the spine. The spinal column houses the centre of the nervous system, the telegraphic system of the body. As a direct extension of the brain, the healthy spine aids in the health of the whole body. Maintaining the spine’s flexibility and strength through proper exercise, circulation is increased, the nerves are ensured their supply of nutrients and oxygen and the body retains its youthful state.

Asanas affect the deeper and more subtle parts of the body. The internal organs receive massage and stimulation through the various movements and are toned into functioning more efficiently. As yoga postures are always practised with deep breathing, relaxation and concentration, the asanas also help to develop mental control. The mind that is unsteady by nature and constantly agitated by sensory inputs becomes withdrawn and detached from the objects of the senses, freed from distractions and slowly brought under control.

Flexibility of the body, especially the spinal cord and flexibility of the mind are interrelated. Flexibility of the mind means adaptability. Its opposite, rigidity of mind, is called ego. As ego puts stress upon the nervous system, it creates a rigid body. Yoga says that flexibility of the spine and flexibility of the mind are interrelated. If you keep the spinal column flexible, you will have a flexible mind.

Proper breathing

Proper breathing connects the body to its battery, the solar plexus, where tremendous potential energy is stored. When tapped through specific yoga breathing exercises (pranayama), this energy is released for physical and mental rejuvenation. Most people use only fraction of their lung capacity for breathing. They breathe in a shallow fashion using only a small part of the rib cage.

Their shoulders are hunched, they have painful tension in the upper part of the back and neck and they suffer from lack of oxygen. They become tired easily and don’t know why. Tension and even depression may be overcome by proper diaphragmatic breathing. All the diseases of the body can be destroyed at the root by regulating the prana, vital energy; this is the secret knowledge of healing.

Acupuncturists, shiatsu, faith healing, doctors with healing touch and so forth, are examples of the development of a high degree of conscious or unconscious control of prana. In ordinary breathing we extract very little prana, but when we concentrate and consciously regulate our breathing, we are able to store a greater amount in our nerve centres and brain.

Proper relaxation

Proper relaxation cools down the system. Relaxation is Nature’s way of recharging the body. When the body and mind are continually overworked their efficiency diminishes. To regulate and balance the work of the body and the mind it is necessary to economise the energy produced by our body—the main purpose of learning how to relax.

Even while resting the average person spends so much energy through needless physical and mental tension. In the course of one day our body usually produces all the substances and energy necessary for the next. But often all these are consumed within a few minutes by bad moods, anger, injury or irritation.

Proper diet

Proper diet provides fuel for the body. The yogic diet is a vegetarian one, consisting of pure, simple, natural foods that are easily digested and assimilated and that promote health. One should have a certain knowledge of dietetics in order to balance the diet. The yogic attitude toward diet is to eat to live, not live to eat.

The yogi will consume foods in minimum quantity with the most positive effect on the body and mind and with the least negative impact on the environment and least pain to other beings. One of the first ways to take responsibility for the planet is by eating with consideration.

Positive thinking & meditation

Positive thinking & meditation put you in control. The intellect is purified. The lower nature is brought under conscious control through steadiness and concentration of the mind.

If you follow these Five Points, which comprise a truly holistic approach to body, mind and soul, you will gain strength and balance to face this decisive world era. When body, mind and soul are healthy and harmonious, the higher mind can easily triumph over the vicious instinctive lower mind.

Obstacles becomes stepping stones to success and you learn that life is a school for the development of character, compassion and realisation of the divine all-pervading Self. If you can heal your own body and mind you will be capable of healing and taking care of the planet. I pray that you practise the time-tested ancient techniques and philosophy and that you will attain health, happiness and eternal peace.