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Yoga in Daily Life® by Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda is a comprehensive system of Yoga with a holistic approach to health, like Ayurveda. The main goal of the Yoga in Daily Life system is to attain and maintain physical health, mental health, social health, spiritual health and eventually achieve self-realization. Based on the authentic Yoga tradition Yoga in Daily Life contains the pure essence of the original Yoga teachings and was developed specifically to suit the mind and lifestyle of modern civilisation.

This system of Yoga offers a simple means of relief from both physical and mental stress – guiding the way to achieve good health, harmony, inner peace and spiritual development. Yoga in Daily Life is not limited only to the physically fit and able, but can be practised by people of all ages and states of health. Yoga in Daily Life has been introduced within the education system, at schools and universities, in rehabilitation spas and hospitals as well as in many yoga-centres throughout the world. Today, incorporated non-profit Yoga in Daily Life Associations are established in twentyfour countries around the world, each being actively involved in local, national and international community projects.

Contents 1 Basic teachings 2 Asana, Pranayama, Relaxation, Concentration 3 Chakras and Kundalini 4 Hatha Yoga Kriyas 5 Khatu Pranam 6 Raja Kriya and Yoga Nidra 7 Self-Inquiry and Mantra Meditation 8 Vegetarian Nourishment and Ayurveda 9 External links

All classical Yoga excercises like Asana and Pranayama and the four Yoga ways namely Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Gyana or Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga are included in this system.

Additional the system completes with detailed teaching about Chakras and Kundalini, Hatha Yoga Kriyas, Kathu Pranam, Self-Inquiry and Mantra Meditation, Raja Kriya and Yoga Nidra as well as vegetarian nourishment and Ayurveda guidlines.

The system Yoga in Daily Life® (ISBN 3-85052-000-5) has a eight-level-structure, which should be followed systematically, level by level. The exercises are structured so that an optimal effect for body, mind and soul is given. The first part of the exercises comprises the Sarav Hitta Asanas (exercises "good for everyone"). This preliminary exercises, practised prior to the true Yoga Asanas, offer an easy entry into the complete system. The first level has six parts, each part should be practised at least two weeks. The levels two till six should each be practised for six weeks, together with Pranayama (it is the conscious and deliberate control and regulation of the breath; Prana means breath, Ayam means to control, to regulate), Meditation and Yoga Nidra ("sleep of the yogis"). Each exercise sequence constitutes a preparation for the next level.

In the book The Hidden Power in Humans - Chakras and Kundalini (ISBN 3-85052-197-4) the main 8 Chakras namely Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna, Bindu and Sahasrara and the Nadis (energy channels and energy transmitters) are explained. Detailed information about their attributes, the attributes of the Koshas (physical, mental and astral body), the 5 Tattvas (PRITHVĪ – Earth, ĀPAS – Water, TEJAS – Fire, VĀYU – Air, ĀKĀSHA – Space) and 3 Gunas (RAJAS – activity, movement, restlessness, passion; TAMAS – rigidity, laziness, darkness, ignorance; SATTVA – harmony, light, purity, knowledge), the Antahkaranas (MANAS - Mind, BUDDHI - Intellect, CHITTA - Consciousness, AHAMKĀRA - Ego) and Indriyas (senses) are given. Furthermore Jivatma, Atma and Paramatma (Soul, Self and God), the two ways of life Pravritti and Nivritti, the three obstacles on the spiritual path (Mala, Vikshepa, Avarana) and the 14 cosmic levels (Chaturdashana Lokas) are explained. Exercises for every Chakra are given. Meditation practise for awekening the Chakras include Pranayama together with Bandha. Bandha means to lock, close-off, to stop. There are four types of Bandhas (Mul Bandha - anal lock, Uddiyan Bandha - raising of the diaphragm, Jalandhar Bandha - chin lock, Maha Bandha - practice of all three Bandhas at the same time). Generally, the breath is held during the practice of the Bandhas.

Kundalini Yoga is a pure, spiritual science that leads to enlightenment and god-realization under the guidance of a spiritual Master. Sri Mahaprabhuji said: “Kundalini is the divine Mother. A true mother never causes harm or does anything bad to her children.” The path of the Kundalini proceeds from the Muladhara Chakra at the lower end of the spinal column up to the Sahasrara Chakra at the top of the head. But its awakening is not a physical occurrence; it consists exclusively of a development in consciousness and awakening of inner knowledge.

In the system Yoga in Daily Life® all Hatha Yoga Kriyas techniques in particular Neti (purufication of the nose), Dhauti (purification of the esophageus and stomach), Nauli (turning of the abdominal muscles), Basti and Shank Prakshalan (complete cleaning of the intestines), Kapal Bhati Pranayam (cleansing of the frontal sinuses) and Tratak (concentration on a point or candle flame) are teached.

This exercise sequence of 20 Asanas harmonises body, mind and soul. In the initial stage of practice, focus is given to the physical benefits. Khatu Pranam strengthens, stretches and relaxes the muscles of the whole body, promotes flexibility of the spine and regulates glandular activity. The more advanced levels of Khatu Pranam are practiced in co-ordination with the breath and with concentration on the energy centres of the body (Chakras), repeating a Mantra for every Asana.

This lineage in teaching Raja Kriya and Yoga Nidra stems from Paramyogeshwar Sri Devpuriji, who received his initiation from Siddha Guru Sri Alakh Puriji, according to the book Sri Lila-Amrit (ISBN 3-85052-104-4), the biography of Sri Deep Narayan Mahaprabhuji, written by Dharmsamrat Paramhans Swami Madhavananda. Sri Devpuriji passed the techniques on to Sri Mahaprabhuji and it was taught to his disciples since 1880. Raja Kriya is a Meditation technique which combined Asana, Pranayama, Bandha and Mudra with Concentration, Imagination and repeating of Mantra and should be practised once a day.

Yoga Nidra is in the beginning used just as a physical and mental relaxation technique but should not be confused with techniques of auto-suggestion or autogenic training. The true sleep of a Yogi is a state of conciousness in which the Yogi is connected with that divine energy pervading the whole cosmos. This energy is beyond space and time and during this state of conciousness the Yogi can see past, present and future. Through Yoga Nidra the Yogi can work through karmas, as this clarity penetrates levels of the unconciousness and subconciousness. Experienced Yogis use Yoga Nidra for astral travels and in its highest level it leads to Samadhi.

The technique of Self-Inquiry Meditation develops understanding and forgiveness and it purifies the subconscious. The thinking becomes well ordered and clear and through this the practising is able to overcome and avoid many difficulties in life and it will lead to self-knowledge and self-realization.

A Mantra is the causal power of words; it is a syllable, a word or a sequence of words with a high spiritual vibration. There are three types of Mantras. PRAYER, GURU Mantra (represents the essence of prayer) and BĪJA Mantra (seed Mantra, assigned to each Chakra). All elements and energies in the cosmos can be influenced and guided by Mantras. A spiritual Mantra always contains the word OM (Aum) and the name of a divine incarnation. Practising Mantra includes five stages (LIKHITA – through writing, VAIKHARĪ – through speaking, UPĀMSHU – through whispering, MĀNASA – through thinking, AJAPĀ – through uninterrupted inner repetition).

A high value of Yogis is living a healthy lifestyle in harmony with nature and following a vegetarian diet. To live as a vegetarian is an ethical principle, a question of responsibility for all living beings. With each breath we absorb not only oxygen, but also Prana. Prana is cosmic energy, the power in the universe that creates, preserves and changes. It is the basic element of life and consciousness. Prana is also found in food, therefore it is very important to have a healthy and wholesome vegetarian diet.

• Yoga in Daily Life (Official website)
• Ayurveda Academy (Official website)