Many people who practice yoga, noted a strange phenomenon: the body is strengthened understanding of the processes occurring in it – is growing, even begins to get quite complicated technology – but banal “happiness” at the same time will no longer be. It is usually associated with a certain “skew” in practice, namely, the lack of meditation. In severe cases, this imbalance is completely deprives a person of inner peace and joy, in spite of the excellence carried out by it poses or “advanced” in its level of pranayama. Become truly happy helps neither persistent practice or familiarity with the original sources of yoga, no meeting with the most advanced teachers. In fact, increasing the sophistication of practices, increase the body’s ability “to pass through the energy of”, as well as listening to smart teacher lectures varying degrees of enlightenment only mask the problem, as if it zapudrivayut powdered sugar, without changing the very structure of the mind. What really helps – it is meditation.

Just not in the form in which it is often practiced. Real meditation – it’s not a good time for quiet music (although the first stage is also practiced), it is aimed to curb his mind, and actually disidentification with “his” desires and patterns. The man knows his mind and realizes that he – not the mind, and its templates and installation (usually destructive, inharmonious, and besides, not his – imposed by parents or society). The integration of consciousness, which is the goal of yoga is impossible without a full-fledged meditation, which is both the aim and the result of the efforts of yoga

, bringing all possible benefits: peace of mind, the working efficiency, inner joy and desire her share, a sharp mind and an understanding of its objectives, the promotion of self-knowledge and practice of true yoga. Meditation – the path to health and happiness, and always practice full of yoga.

Meditation is effective because it is – a holistic and profound method of solving most of the physiological and psychological problems of people who, in reality, there are always mixed: psychophysiological. If there is a restriction, weakness or illness on the physical plane – the body – means that there is somewhere a grain of this problem in our psyche, and vice versa – if there is stress, he can not “put off” somewhere in the body, etc. . Meditation allows, on the one hand, learn to control their physiological processes (up to the heartbeat rate from the masters), and on the other – to control their physiological responses to psychological processes and their environment and other people’s actions. That’s why meditation – solution of problems of depression, irritability and anger, anxiety and insomnia, problems in the family and society, as well as the panacea for apathy, laziness, chronic fatigue, depression, etc. Meditation – a radical restructuring of the scheme of the mind. From humble servant of feelings and emotions in the mind becomes the creator of the victim – in the observer. Only restrained transformed and trained mind is a powerful tool for the conscious people – like polished stone became the instrument of the primitive man.

How does meditation? It is not only psychological but also physiological process that can be investigated (in the past decade and done). Proven scientific findings that suppressed metabolizm- tuning speed, upgrade the body during meditation; slowing respiration, reduces the amount of oxygen consumed (approximately 20%) and carbon dioxide emissions. Decreases blood pressure (which allows you to use meditation for this purpose – for hypertensive patients). These indicators are stored for some time after the completion of meditation. At the same time, paradoxically, the blood circulation in meditation is not slowing down, but on the contrary, strengthened: this is due to the fact that the sympathetic nervous system (which, inter alia, controls the contraction of blood vessels and their permeability) works with less power – so that blood flow improving. This, in turn, directly affects the release of the body of lactic acid. Its presence in the muscles causes appreciable pain – but far greater pain is born in the mind.

That lactic acid, or speaking in a western, “lactate” – the main cause of tension, stress, anxiety, neuroses and other urban residents. You might think that lactate is actively generated only bodybuilders and “Fighters with no rules”, which raises the bar all day so mutuzyat pear – but no, this is a common feature of the body of all people. In fact, people with high blood pressure, it is common for people of intellectual labor, and also suffer from elevated levels of lactate in the body – without any post. Their body does not suffer from the physical and the mental strain.

Usually during the holidays – for example, during sleep or when we lie in Shavasana – lactate is gradually removed from the body, it is converted into other useful substances (eg, back to glucose). And all good, only it found that increased (during training or stress) lactic acid content and adrenaline in the body directly launches psychophysiological mechanism “beysya or flight”. This saving mainly for primitive man mechanism allows to survive in conditions of real danger to life. It allows you to use an additional amount of energy and also teaching the translating into “emergency mode” the heart, brain and lungs – for fight or flight. It is an ancient mechanism for survival in the wild. It is not designed for long use.

What happens when you increase muscle stress? Increased levels emitted adrenaline glands that increases heart rate and respiration, acute vision, hearing and suppressed accelerated reaction rate. At the same time oppressed – it slows down or completely stops – the digestion process (the body is simply not before!) And decreases intestinal peristalsis (which protects the athlete from volvulus) is reduced not only superficial circulation (this can be seen as the pale faces of athletes in training), but and shrinking the blood vessels in many parts of the body. Also unavoidable temporary erectile dysfunction and may experience tremor (trembling of the fingers), increased sweating. It is not dangerous in the short term, if this process is gradually decelerated. The trouble is that sometimes, because of social factors – this function fails. This mechanism is simply not designed for long use, because It consumes too many resources, depleting the body and nerves. Spend a lot of time in this mode of – not the normal, very expensive mode of functioning of the body and mind, in fact – the right way to live is not a long and happy life.

It is clear that neither in the gym or in the yoga room real danger to humans there. However, the mechanism is still run – we ourselves run the increased muscle activity, but the “slow down” the process can not every body-consciousness, and consciously do know how it is few – yoga, meditation mastered.

In fact, many people do not want to slow down the reaction, it gives them increased self-esteem and the subjective feeling that “I live.” Formed adrenaline addictive kind of neurosis, which originally built in modern society. It is important to realize that if a hike in the gym or on the power of yoga has its indirect purpose of obtaining the status of consciousness “fighter”, is intended to become more aggressive (though this, of course, even within the framework of modern society is not always effective), there is a bias. Within the framework of classical yoga classes run adrenal mechanism and a razor, “combat” experience is highly undesirable. But this is only the tip of the iceberg.

In fact, the very one way and rhythm of life, which is now virtually accepted all over the world: “modern” the rhythm of the big city, where there is fierce competition, common financial problems and unemployment, plus the norm “enterprise” means an individual suppression – effectively preventing so many people slow down their “adrenaline pump.” Reaction “beysya or flight” just can not slow down, stop – and she continues to work, burning the body resources and nerves!

In response to the level of adrenaline, the body can for years to squeeze out all the juices to respond to a threat – albeit purely psychological, and sometimes just imaginary. Head scolded? Colleague unfortunate joke – or deliberately mocking? Own children do not respect? The truck came on foot? It’s time to give credit? the body’s reaction is one – the adrenaline! – to live and fight …

If it is effective for an emergency, when the body and mind work in a mode of “survival” from day to day – increased wear and tear is inevitable: the heart, nerves, blood vessels, digestion, sexual function, immune system – all suffering. Psychosomatic diseases, which are caused by “stress and the City”: hypertension, diabetes, coronary thrombosis, stomach ulcers, back pain, skin problems, tics, and – in extreme cases – mental disorders. Even in the first phase of this dysfunction, the person becomes emotionally unstable, vulnerable, lowers the threshold of excitability (women – hysteria in men – symptoms unwarranted aggression), mood jumps, and most importantly – the background, the individual becomes accustomed to the feeling of dissatisfaction . Unhappiness – irritability, moodiness and slightly aggressive truly become habitual, become the norm. (By the way, the stress on the norms of the above described mechanism of increase and an excessive amount of meat in the diet of urban resident of a developed country, and lactate as a preservative E270 in products, including dairy). No need to go far to find an example of people who are “for life” not happy, not satisfied. Such people go in the bus, in the subway – and luxurious expensive cars. Such people are physiologically, chemically not able to deal with any meditation or yoga, even if they imagine that it is regularly engaged.

Some people sincerely believe that they are – usually very calm and equanimity. However, on closer study, it appears that many of them trembling fingers, eyes usually slightly narrowed, lips clenched, arms and shoulders are tense, landing “monkey” ( “boxer”), sexual function and digestion weakened. Many people bite their nails or used to pump foot, tapping his finger on the table, etc. All these are signs of neurosis, nervous strain, which is caused, in terms of physiology, excess lactate, from the point of view of psychology – emotional tension, but from the standpoint of yoga – exercises disadvantage in meditation.

Sleep, in theory, should be a mechanism to remove “beysya or flight”, but this is not all. If the mind is tense enough (and “digests” pressing problems, even in a dream), then sufficient muscle relaxation occurs. If the man “keeps up with his epoch,” and so goes to the gym, to “physical” (tough, power) yogu- problem will likely only get worse. Adopted “by the people” methods: Bath, vodka, beer – to help, but not as much as we would like.

The students and teachers of yoga it certainly appears a little differently, but too painful: power equipment starts to get well, but flexibility is not enough, deflections “do not go.” Deflections are, flexibility of the body comes – and flexibility of mind – no, not expanding the horizon of consciousness, he becomes fanatical, narrow minded. Get a dose of muscle stress, the body as a response to increases aggressiveness practicing power yoga are often tough, demanding, uncompromising, sometimes tend to parasitize on students and others, there is a permanent “shock adrenaline”, consciousness shrinks to a point. Students, do not understand the mechanisms of learning yoga, at first often tend to increase the load in the physical yogas (because it is easier and more intuitive) disproportionate efforts to work with consciousness. The result: microtrauma and pain, anxiety in the body and in the mind, muscle hypertonicity, restlessness, talkativeness, emotional stress, in the limit – a psychological crisis, a sense of emptiness and hopelessness, depression, breakdown. And really, how much can grow in the same plane?

The answer, in fact, one: Meditation.

Only in a state of deep relaxation emotional body “resets” sandwiched muscular corset and facial muscles, “off” mechanism “fight or flight”, is replaced by the alarming state of the calm. But we remember that ” Asana – this comfortable, stable position” ( Patanjali ). Only when there is a relaxation of yoga can begin rehabilitation, emotional repose, and self-healing of the whole body-consciousness as a whole. But sleep, or even the most luxurious vacation will not help here, and exciting entertainment feelings only aggravate the condition. Good relaxation – it is, we can assume meditation. And meditation is impossible without relaxation.

The problem is, in short, is that the average man (a yogi he or yogi) can achieve a harmonious state of body and mind only consciously, specifically – that is, not in a dream, and only doing certain techniques, practicing some form of yoga meditation. Only if you do the right meditation effects of inharmonious action adrenal glands and the sympathetic system come to naught. Relaxation occurs – and usually longing for relaxation of the body-mind immediately fall asleep – and that’s fine at first. Even this, the initial terms of the yogic process of meditation stage triggers the healing of many diseases of psychosomatic nature – so, for example, yoga nidra meditation is so widely used in yogaterapii a variety of diseases which, it would seem, logically, can not be cured in this way .

Meditation even in the form of relaxation is thus desirable compensating means which balances the dissonance caused by aggressive way of life in the sympathetic system. But real meditation in the mainstream of yoga – it’s much more than just relaxation. You can meditate for half an hour is great – and then go out, go to the office – and here again, “Hello, adrenaline shock.” Meditation not only relaxes (this is only the first, preparatory level) – it allows you to “reprogram” the mind so that it is more positive, adequately react to aggressive stimuli in the future.

The meditator should “retrain” to rebuild your mind in a new, more energy efficient, to respond to the situation of the outside world – or happiness to be seen. It is understood by all who pass meditation retreats: at first you think that the “enlightened”, but returning to the “sinful world” – you know, that is not so simple. So, the second stage of meditation – is to learn to respond positively (or not respond) negative stimuli that trigger a normal person “adrenaline pump”, with all the attendant physiological and psychological consequences.

If you relax your body (and to a certain extent, the mind) can have a single session – say, the same Yoga Nidra , the “reprogramming” of the brain will certainly take some time. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes months or even years – but the result is worth the effort. There is an important area in the brain (limbic system) – which operates septal center-right opposite to the above mechanism, which triggers the adrenal glands, and lactate. If you stimulate this area, the muscles and relax the whole body, calms the mind, peace comes. It was found that with the help of meditation practices can cause the stimulation of this area and for a short and a very long time, making it a basic condition. In this mode of not coming apathy, laziness – on the contrary, a person becomes more efficient, no matter what he did, in every sphere of life.

Wrongly “programmed” the mind – it is a real hell on earth. No material or social gains are not able to meet the man whose mind works on the principle of “beysya or flight” is physiologically, chemically impossible! Dominant feelings for a man – in fact, not evolutionary advancing on their ancestors – are the feelings of envy, greed, hatred, jealousy, and the constant worry and anxiety. For such a person can not be meditation. But he does not realize that he needs this skill until you get up in the face of existential crisis or serious illness.

The man who has mastered meditation at a superficial level – capable of receiving a short respite from this state, and get your bit of peace and happiness, capable of cordial relations with other people. Yogi, advancing further and “reprogram” your mind – that is, develop their reaction septal center – becomes the master of their fortunes, it evolves towards greater happiness. It is able to be satisfied with a small – but ready to great achievements.

Yogi mastered meditation, finds that only now was able to really get to know yourself and others: because before they were seen “with prejudice,” selfish, as pawns in his game, or not to. Stratification of education, the environment, education, professional activity, layers imposed by society – all this prevents a person to be himself, to perceive themselves, relatives and friends, life events adequately. Sometimes a state close to meditation happens to the wise older people, but they have, unfortunately, too late to build a life and a relationship with this wisdom, they are only able to look back on his life already lived.

The main tools in yoga meditation: relaxation, attention, and self-hypnosis (autogenous training).

First, you need to learn to relax the body and mind (Yoga level – ” Yoga nidra , and focus ( drishti , Tratak , Dharana) – you can move confidently and without any problems in meditation. At each level, the practitioner receives a good reward for their works: first – respite from the stress and feeling better, then – resistance to stress and health, a growing sense of causeless joy and happiness “for life”. And those whose insatiable desire for self-knowledge, for advanced meditators – waiting for the realization of its deepest nature and the superconscious (psychic) experience.

In connection with the above, it is easy to understand the famous aphorism of ancient sages that “No Hatha Yoga without Raja Yoga, and there is no Raja Yoga without Hatha Yoga .” Cleansing and strengthening body ( Shatkarmas , Hatha Yoga ) is necessary for effective meditation (the basic discipline of Raja Yoga), and body relaxation, peace of mind and freedom from anger and stress (meditation fruit) – the necessary conditions for the success of intensive physical practices (ie. e. again, Hatha yoga). Moving slowly and regularly “on all fronts”, we can confidently expect to win and success in the practice of yoga.

Author: Alex Sokolowski