Yoga Prayer and Traditions.
Before practice starts, traditionally prayer is said. There are many prayers used by different styles of yoga and some prefer not to. Indian's are traditionalist and follow few set rules in everything they do.
Let us say for example moving in new house, there are ceremonies, birthday, weddings, first food for baby after birth and so on, all are done according to traditions. Some of these prayers are religious. As it is emphasised enough that yoga does not have religion, the prayers offered in start of practice are to offer respect and gratitute towards sages who discovered yoga.
It is not necessary that one has to pronounce it correctly, or know what it means, it is about having intention of greatfulness towards yoga. It also helps practitioner to start preparing for detaching from other things going on around to concentrate on practice and breath.
Om is used in start as well. Now OM is made up of three words in sanskrit, and pitch for all three is different. Starts with low and goes high and slows down as well. If one notices and tries to feel, breath control already starts from there. Like in Ujjayi breathing breath is controlled by creating bhanda ( lock ), one can feel presence of same while chanting OM.
The finishing prayer is also meant for same purpose, to pay respect. Yoga is not like gym excercise, there is so much involved.
Here is for example finishing prayer
"Parama Rishibhayo Namah,
Acharaya devo bhava".
This is in sanskrit. Parama means supreme, Rishi is sage, Acharya is master. So in conclusion it is respect to sages and masters.
By,
S.
Let us say for example moving in new house, there are ceremonies, birthday, weddings, first food for baby after birth and so on, all are done according to traditions. Some of these prayers are religious. As it is emphasised enough that yoga does not have religion, the prayers offered in start of practice are to offer respect and gratitute towards sages who discovered yoga.
It is not necessary that one has to pronounce it correctly, or know what it means, it is about having intention of greatfulness towards yoga. It also helps practitioner to start preparing for detaching from other things going on around to concentrate on practice and breath.
Om is used in start as well. Now OM is made up of three words in sanskrit, and pitch for all three is different. Starts with low and goes high and slows down as well. If one notices and tries to feel, breath control already starts from there. Like in Ujjayi breathing breath is controlled by creating bhanda ( lock ), one can feel presence of same while chanting OM.
The finishing prayer is also meant for same purpose, to pay respect. Yoga is not like gym excercise, there is so much involved.
Here is for example finishing prayer
"Parama Rishibhayo Namah,
Acharaya devo bhava".
This is in sanskrit. Parama means supreme, Rishi is sage, Acharya is master. So in conclusion it is respect to sages and masters.
By,
S.
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