The mind is always engaged in activity that is the outcome of desire - to be something or to obtain something. ‘The mind is always unstable and it is impossible to get rid of this instability as this quality is basic’. The mind can become steady and peaceful only when the impurities are washed away. Vairagya is the cessation of ‘raga’ the absence of urge or longing for enjoyment.

 The process of steadying the mind is called ‘abihyasa’. It is made of three stages, namely, dharana (state of mental concentration), dyana (stillness of the mind and complete absorption of the mind into itself, and finally samadhi where through silencing of breath one removes consciousness of one’s own existence. Pranayama and dhyana are two methods of achieving what is described above. Finally it is meditation that brings about peace of mind, tranquility, equanimity and detachment. Meditation is a state of consciousness that can be understood only on an intuitive level. Time, space and the laws of casualty limit ordinary experiences. But the meditative state transcends all boundaries.

While you meditate, past and future cease to exist. There is only the consciousness of ‘aham brahma’in the infinite and eternal. Correction of solar plexus In the endocrine system Manipura chakra or the solar plexus is the battery of the body and it is a radiating nerve behind the navel.

It get disturbed during sleep in the night and needs to be corrected through the following exercises: Uttan padasana: Steps: Lie flat on your back, breathe in and raise one leg perpendicularly, hold the breath for 10 seconds or as long as possible (without strain), and lower the leg to the original position gradually breathing out. Chakra padasana: Steps: Rotate each leg and both legs 3 times clock-wise and anti-clockwise respectively. Rectus abdomini exercises:

Exercise (I) Steps: Lie flat on the back. Keep both hands under the buttocks. Breathe in and bring the trunk from the hip to the head 8, 10 or 12 times perpendicularly all the time holding the breath. This is rectus abdomini with internal breath retention and in particular the spine and the stomach the most vital parts of the body.

Exercise II: Steps: Lie on your back. Keep both knees above with feet firmly on the floor and together. Breath out twice and the second time you exhale, suspend the breath for as long as comfortable (8, 10 or 12 seconds). Benefits: Five minutes of this regimen activates the entire system and in particular the spine and the stomach, the most vital parts of the body. Conclusion Balancing the endocrine system is what yoga is all about. The endocrine and the nervous systems are mainly responsible for physical and mental health without tension and stress.... Continued From Part-1