The stages of Yoga though eight, they are integrated and each one though has its importance yet they are and should be practiced together. The comparison can be drawn from a tree which is made up of roots, stem, bark, leaves, sap, flowers and fruit. Each part of tree has different functions and each one necessary yet an individual part does not constitute a tree. The aspirant develops the sense of self through the practice of all eight stages and conquers his body, senses and mind and develops a sublime ego which ultimately culminates into enlightenment.

The first two stages of Yoga viz. Yama (Moral ethics) and Niyama (Purification of Mind and Body) clears the path of Yoga by making the aspirant control his senses and mind. The mind is like a Lion and is quite wild, through the practice of Yama and Niyama the Lion is tamed and caged. The aspirant thus has full control over his mind and his five senses and the sense organs and gets the way to utilize this according to the principles of morals and ethics.

Yoga ( The Communion with Higher Self or God )

The practice of Yoga is one of the orthodox system of Hindu (Sanatan) Philosophy. According to the Dualistic (Dwaitya) philosophy the God or the Supreme being permeates everything even the Human soul and the system of Yoga endeavors to unite the Human soul Jivatma to the Supreme Being (Parmatman). The one who follows the path of Yoga is called Yogi.

The practice of Yoga stills the mind, sharpens the intellect and enables one to control emotions and free oneself of Ego. Hence a Yogi is freed from sorrows and pain related to the contact world and gives sense of fulfillment and eternal joy.

The Eight Fold Path of Yoga.

The great sage Maharishi Patanjali compiled a great treatise called the Patanjali Yoga Sutras around 200 BC and systematized this ancient philosophy in 185 aphorisms divided into Eight stages of Yoga.
1. Yama (Moral ethics)
2. Niyama (Purification of Mind and Body)
3. Asana (Postures)
4. Pranayama (Control of Breath)
5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of mind from dominance of senses)
6. Dharana (Concentration)
7. Dhayana (Meditation)
8. Samadhi (State of super conciousness)

[ Each stage will be briefly explained in future posts ]

Postures for sitting

Three postures are recommended for sitting when one is doing Mantrayoga or Meditation they are
Swastikasana (sitting cross-legged)
Padmasana also called King of asanas as it helps tremendously in calming the mind and keeping one centered. (bottom)
Siddhanasana. This asana is good for maintaining celibacy which is utmost important when one is on path of spiritualism. (Top )

The asanas or sitting postures mentioned above should be perfected by practicing everyday. To get the benefits one should be able to sit for as long as 3 hours in one particular asana. In the beginning it might be difficult but one should not give up hope as regular practice will improve ones timing. There are also physical benefits of this postures along with spiritual ones. In all the above postures one should take care that the back and head should be aligned in a straight line and the vertebral column should be perpendicular to the floor. The head should not be tilted forwards or backwards but one should keep the eyesight parallel to the ground. Normally eyes should be closed, but when eyes are closed completely one may feel sleepy or many thoughts may fleet in the mind. To overcome this eyes should be half closed and the vision should be fixed on the tip of the nose. This too will be difficult in the beginning but slowly one will find it easy upon regular practice. One can also fix the vision between the eyebrows but this is very difficult and if one perfects this then the spiritual progress is tremendous.

MANTRAYOGA

Chanting on Gods name or a series of specific syllables is called Mantra yoga, the series of specific syllables and Gods name is called mantra. The repeated chanting and attaining blissful state by communion with the higher self is called Mantra yoga.
There are though some cautions to be followed while chanting mantras.
It should be done preferably at same time each day. Early morning at Brahmamuhurta (approximately 1.5 hrs before sunrise) is the ideal time, though it can be done at any time also.
The chanting should be done with utmost devotion to ones favorite deity.
Chanting should be done for self realization rather than to get material gains.
Before one sits for chanting, one should take a bath and maintain hygiene.
One should preferably sit east or north facing.
One should not sit on the ground but on a woolen cloth called asana.
Three sitting postures are highly recommended namely Swastikasana (cross-legged) Siddhasana and Padmasana (pictures of the last two postures will be posted later). Padmasana is the ideal posture though.
One should chant on a rosary made of 108 beads of Rudraksha, or Holy basil wood or sandalwood. The rosary should be held in right hand and the first finger should not be used to turn the rosary. and the rosary should be shielded in a cloth bag
Before commencing on chanting one should try to regularize breathing by doing Pranayama it soothes the mind and prepares it for chanting. (conscious breathing technique which will be elaborated in future posts)
Begin chanting on the primordial sound of AUM for about 5-10 minutes and then start chanting a specific mantra. Initially the Mantra should be chanted so that one can hear it, once the chanting of syllables is perfected one can chant it in mind without use of tongue or lips.
Select a silent corner of the house which is well ventilated, sit on a asana and in right posture, close your eyes and start on your journey of supreme bliss through chanting or Mantra yoga