Philosophy is the science of truth , being pure existence.


The word Philosophy refers to love of truth.
The Truth being pure existence. The source of all life , it is a science of truth as it is expressed in our life.

To understand the truth of our being that is ” Asthitva”

Five great basic elements and it’s relationship with “Asan” asanepan…to be…asmita…astitva…

What is ” Prakruti”?
Every individual is a unique phenomenon. The individual from the cosmos, the same thing exists in the microcosm.
Every individual is a manifestation of cosmic consciousness.
The vibration of pure universal consciousness produces the soundless sound, ” OM” from this sound the five basic elements produced i.e. Ether / space, Air ,fire, water and earth.
Furthermore these five basic elements are manifested into the three biological organisations known as “guna” Vata, Pitta,Kapha.

In Evert organism these three govern all physiopathological changes.Through Asana we have to bring
” gunasamyata” equilibrium of these gunas.

At the time of fertilization Vata ,Pitta and Kapha are determined by their permutations and combinations, the constitution of an individual. Which is called
” Prakruti”.
Prakruti means the first creation. Every human being is the first creation of the cosmos. That is why every human being is a separate entity, a unique phenomenon.
To understand this uniqueness of every individual is the study of Prakruti.

What does knowledge of self mean?
( I am trying to make it simple for laymen like us to bring this at our practicle level i.e at the level of “asana” i.e to be…what I observe we are missing this in today’s world and eager to do PhD at practical level directly..)

Knowledge of the Self is knowledge of the Absolute. Atma-jnana is also Brahma-jnana. The knowledge of the deepest in us is also the knowledge of the essential secret of the universe.

Upanishad after this statement about “The absoluteness of Brahman” gives us a brief idea as to how we have to set in harmony with the nature of this perceived world with the eternal existence of Brahman.

” Atmana akasas sambhutah “

“From this Universal Atman, space emanated” – as it were.
This is something hard for us to conceive at the present moment.
Space is actually extension, dimension, distance.
The moment there is the concept of space, there is also automatically introduced into it the concept of time.
We cannot separate space and time. Duration and extension go together.

Space and time are not dead things; they are basic vibrations of the cosmos.
Motion goes together with space-time. Not only according to modern scientific terminology, but also in ancient thought . One may say that the concept of space-time goes together with motion, force.
This fundamental cosmic space-time-motion, or vibration, became more and more gross in the form of wind / air – vayu.
Actually, the word ‘vayu’ used here should not be taken in the sense of what we breathe through the nostrils. It is again, a vibration of a vital nature, which we call prana.
“Prana” an energy manifested itself; cosmic energy emanated, as it were, from this basic vibratory centre which is the space-time-motion complex.
To put it in a modern, intelligible style. The solidification, condensation and more and more externalisation of the preceding one in the succeeding stage is actually the process of the coming of what is called the elements.

*From space, or akasha, arose Air/vayu;
*from Air /vayu, came friction – Fire/heat;
*from fire came the liquedied form water;

*from water then came the solid form of the earth.
From earth vegetation ( oshadhi) started
Tasmad va etasmad atmana akasa sambhutah, akasad vayuh, vayor agnih, agner apah, apam prithvi, prithivya oshadhayah (Tait. 2.1.1):
“All vegetation started from the earth.” Osadhibhyo annam, The food that we consume is nothing but the vegetation growing on earth.
In the personality of the human being we find in a miniature form all that has come cosmically down to the earth, right from the Supreme Brahman – satyam jnanam anantam brahma. So the universe is called brahmanda and the individual are called pindanda. The macrocosm is the universe, and the microcosm, or the individual, is a cross-section of the macrocosm.
*All that is in the universe, we will find in ourselves. We are a miniature of creation.
If we know ourself, we know the whole world i.e. ” Pindi te brahmandi”. This is why it is said, “Know thyself and be free.” “Moksha”

Nobody says “Go outside and know things.” It will not serve our purpose.
Know ourselves and all things are known, because we are the nearest thing that can be contacted and the nearest thing containing all things that are the furthest and the remotest. Therefore, the Ultimate Reality is also called the nearest and the furthest.
Tad dure tad vad antike (Isa 5): “Very far is It” – in terms of the spatio-temporal expanse of creation; “Very near is It” – as the Self of our own existence.

Atmana akasas sambutah

Liberation,moksha ” means overcome from our own limitations to evolve ,freedom. It is as a state of eternal bliss and emptiness

“atmana akasas sambutah” space – time – motion.

Five great elements pancha mahabuta and it’s relationship with Asana…asanepan…astitva…

What are Five great elements
To go into our own Self is the best achievement, the highest attainment. Whereas to go outside ourselves, however far beyond we may go, is that much worse for us.
Knowledge of the Self is knowledge of the Absolute. Atma-jnana is also Brahma-jnana. The knowledge of the deepest in us is also the knowledge of the essential secret of the universe.

So here we are understanding Five great elements and its relationship with asan i.e.asane…asthitva…to be. –

Why are “Yoga Asanas” known as high-tech space science?

“Atmana akasas sambhutah “
From this Universal Atman, space emanated – as it were.
Reality is also hiddenly present as the Atman behind the earth, the Atman behind water, fire, air and ether/space . There is an Atman even behind space and time.

Akasha is that which gives space and makes room for the existence of all extended substances that accommodate the living souls , the principle of motion , the matter i.e quality or guna of akash/ space is Akashdatrutva
Avakash is an occupied space within our body known as Siddhashila, abode/ the place for habitation of the liberated souls.
Siddha is the perfect one. It means ,one who is accomplished, highly trained. It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual perfection or enlightenment,liberated souls.
Siddha may also refer to one who has attained a siddhi.

Various degrees of the manifestation of universality can be seen in the operation of the five elements.
The Universal is least manifest in the earth, more manifest in water, still more in fire, still more in air and still more in space, so that space looks almost universal, but yet it is not universal because it is externalised.

The miniature individual, as I have mentioned, has all the layers of the universe. These are the physicality of the lowest earth, the vibratory form of element air in occupied space .

This individualised microcosmic representation of the cosmic layers is seen individually as the coverings of the consciousness in us . Here consciousness is most important). We may, in a way, say the whole universe is covering up over Brahma.

These sheaths in us – the physical – physiological – psychological, intellectual, spiritual, genetic and then natural state which is evolved – are the inverted forms of the otherwise-vertical . We may say, forms of the cosmic sheaths which are in the form of the five elements – earth, water, fire, air and space, going upwards from below.

Outer open space akash can call maha akash which has two qualities one is akash darutva i.e accommodation and second is avakash is vyapakata/occupation of this space which are closed spaces within our own body .
In our body we have both close and open spaces .
Open spaces are directly connected to outer space.
Yoga is a High tech – space science.
One must understand the importance of inner Physical spaces and its movement in the human form Akruti bandha in different yogasana. We must feel these forces in our own Physical body through the medium of voluntary muscles and that is with reference to outer space. As  this is the  only medium , the strongest voluntary muscular system which is under our conscious will and command.

Inner spaces , inner environment i.e homeostasis is the most important and essential factor where health is concerned . Yoga gives top priority for Equilibrium of space between inner and outer atmospheric space and which is next to the Atman.

Dedicated to my beautiful fb friend Madeline Matthews
Medelin☺️ I really miss you so much 😓😢 ❤️ across border the way you connected me with your love .We haven’t even met. I was lucky to have found a friend with beautiful soul. You regularly followed me. I have lost a dear friend❤️
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I continue with my posts knowing that you would have read them with equal eagerness.
I really miss you and your appreciation .

Om Shanti 🙏

Five great elements and their relationship with “Asan”…asanepan… our own astitva.

What is “Prana” and its relationship with element air?

In our body element air is ubiquitous. Our body’s growth, creation/ origin ,dharana as the binding of attention to anything more than a single spot .
Therefore it is a very essential and most important factor to save and enhance this natural great element of air ( air means not about breath), which represents our body in five forms Prana, Udana, vyana, saman and Apan.

These “Pancha Prana” – The Five Energy Flows
enables the body and its organs to function. Essentially, the Pancha Prana are responsible for the entire physiology of the human system. We generate our physical energy with its mechanism and from food as a fuel . The food is converted to glucose which is broken down in the cells to produce energy. The five Prana are involved in assimilation, distribution and managing this energy to make the body function.

Remember that in our body the majority of diseases are distortions of element air, ayurveda calls it vata dosha where inner movement is lost.
Therefore, one must understand the flow of movement within our body and what exact efforts one has to do in “Asana”

Understanding the functioning of the Pancha Prana is essential for Yoga Therapy.

These five pranas – “PanchaPrana “:

The actual source of these Pancha Prana is difficult to explain. The Pancha Prana is closely interlinked with our physical energy.
The source of the Pancha Prana is Maha Prana. This Maha Prana is the cosmic energy and is manifest in each of us as kundalini shakti that is located in our central vertebral axis ( base of our spine to.skull). Therefore one must understand the importance of vertebral spaces in our central axis and work correctly.

Let’s see first ,a short description of the 5 Pranas or the Pancha Prana.

Prana – This is the first and the main of the five pranas . Prana is a suction power and its functions between the throat and the respiratory diaphragm. All organs of the thorax including the heart and lungs are maintained by Prana. The basic function of respiration and pumping of the heart is controlled by Prana. Prana can be thought of as moving upwards.

Apana – Apana is the downward flowing of the five Pranas and is located from the navel to the “mooladhara” – the base plexus. It is primarily responsible for elimination. It controls organs situated between the naval and the perineum
governs the large and small intestine, adrenal, prostate in man, uterus and ovaries in females, kidneys, bladder , anus and genitals etc. It is associated with the element of water. Elimination of waste as faeces, gas and urine is done by Apana . Also, ejaculation of sperm, Monthly menstrual cycle for women and expulsion of fetus during childbirth is done by Apana .
Disturbances in Apana can cause many more problems related to these organs and glands like digestive problems,constipation, diarrhoea, piles, menstrual problems etc.

Samana – Samana prana operates between the naval and the respiratory diaphragm. It controls the function of organs like stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, small and large intestine. Samana prana travels sideways. Samana Pran’s is the Prana that is responsible for digestion and assimilation of nutrients into the body. Disturbance of the Samana can cause indigestion and other stomach disorders.

Udana – Udana functions above the throat, face and head region. It is responsible for all the sensory organs and functioning of the brain. Apart from that it controls the organs of movement including hands and legs.

Vyana – Vyana pervades the entire body. It is Vyana that carries the nutrients needed to every cell of the body. The nutrients are carried via blood flow and the circulatory system to reach all the organs. Whenever there is a shortage of energy in any part of the body, Vyana immediately sends the required nutrients to the cells to produce the energy. It is like a dynamic reserve store of energy, available to the whole body.
It also helps in muscular movements and carrying the sensory and motor impulses from different parts of the body. It also causes perspiration from the skin. Gooseflesh, caused by cold or fright, also comes under the jurisdiction of Vyana .

Prana flows in the body through subtle channels which are invisible and known as Nadi or meridians. Hence their pathways have to be spacious and clear . Any block in the flow of energy through these channels can cause the particular prana to function sub-optimally.

Energy supply and use of energy : in this use of energy become distorted it becomes disease. Hence we must use five basic elements correctly in asana/ postures . In asana , there is sequential order and flow of direction in Voluntary muscular movement and it’s variations of fractional dilution of density So we can give this biofeedback technique a better way. This awareness of space means space within our body and outside the body is in equilibrium.
When use of energy becomes distorted, it is called Disease.

” Yoga” as a cure and guarantee about health and only  medium is voluntary muscular architecture. in this We must use five elements correctly.

In today’s fast lifestyle it is difficult to achieve Health. So to achieve Health, we must take support of belts, ropes and furniture, with which we can give Biofeedback technique much better. It is an awareness of space and time within.

Five great elements and its relationship with “Asan”…asanepan… our own astitva –
Part 6
What is the relationship of ” Prana” that is life force with element space?

This method of SYS  Yoga Therapy aims at improving the function of these 5 pranas.

Modification of postures is very essential and important, to correct distortion of spaces within and spreading energy into matter to improve and to correct any problems with the functioning of the organs and its systems.
Element Space is a prerequisite for these vital energies of these Pancha prana.
Hence ,Space is required for any movement (that is element air) and activity of organs and its related pathways .
According to Physical laws Air and Water moves from higher pressure to lower pressure where volume of the vessel ( is body cavities) plays an important role. This adjustment of volume of body cavities is only possible through movement of voluntary musculature and voluntary Diaphragm i.e.cervical and pelvic diaphragm. Coordination of these two voluntary diaphragms has direct effect on our movement of respiratory diaphragm. ( it’s not about pushing our ribcage forward or pushing our stomach forward. (Read my articles on ventilation)
Prana, is basically all about mechanisms of pressure difference and that is only through smooth ,conscious movement of Muscular architecture , which is the only medium for inner spaces and smooth movement of organs within and its mechanism, situated within this Muscular bag,
Therefore, all these five prana i.e energy means ability to arrange is related to this space – time – movement in our body cavities.(sorry to say that, it’s not about pushing our chest and #stomach forward )
If any of the five pranas are depleted or not functioning optimally, disorders /diseases may occur in their corresponding organs.

Elements of Earth and Water are weak ( पंगू) by nature, they can’t move on their own. Hence hardening of matter is a natural strong force i.e.parthivata , where movement is distorted and lost and that is also because of contraction is a very strong force, hence need to learn expansion of matter Physically not psychologically..
But element Fire and Air are not weak by their nature. Hence,for these two elements i.e air and fire , motivation is from conscious movement of muscles and not repetitive movements of joints, this is a big misunderstanding and misinterpretation of yoga asana/posture because from this movement friction takes place (but this friction should not lead towards inflammation) , creating a Fire element and with these Air and Fire elements , we have to make smooth conscious movements.

So through air and fire elements we have to expand matter earth and water into space.(equilibrium of inner spaces with outer space).
Once this happens, then through this muscular movement, internal pressure in the body cavities with reference to outer atmospheric pressure( I.e.resistance ) is a contrast between these inner and outer space.. Therefore, We have to reduce this difference and increase inner spaces ,inner forces. This means occupation ( व्यापकता) of element space within our body with quality of outer space I.e.accommodation (आकाश दातृत्व).
Thus , effect on these two qualities of element space in our body is very important where these five pranas are concerned.
Remember that learning  and bringing changes in this state of occupation of space/avakash is a very important factor in “Asana” /Posture. It is not about performing art or entertainment to our mind.

We must understand and work accordingly and consciously,how to use this element space
( Atman) within our body I.e. occupied space (अवकाश) in our body through muscular architecture. We have to learn how to arrange and manipulate this inner space, the way we want for our organ systems in relation with the brain heart ,lungs or spine or any abdominal organs.
We must understand, exact effect and use of particular asana/ Posture on these organs. This may vary with distortion of each individual state of health.
For this to happen, While doing asanas watch within,work within, worship within to get wisdom and to win the pose which is genetic and naturally evolved at highest state I.e.Siddhashila (अथासना दृडयोगी).
How we make different, different forms/ आकार of our own body has no meaning at all but to understand and observe the state of our body within is very important. Doing so many things, to entertain our mind , may feel good but it shows, not making us healthy.
Nothing happens suddenly in our body it is a continuous process.क्षणाक्षणाला बदलणारी स्थीती म्हणजे गती. Change of state is अवस्था बदल has to be healthy not unhealthy.

Five great elements and their relationship with “Asan”…asanepan… our own astitva :

“Asana” is all about space- time – motion and our physical efforts with only medium is voluntary musculature.
So We have seen that –
This fundamental cosmic space-time-motion, or vibration, became more and more gross in the form of wind i.e.air further fire , water and earth.
As it were, from this basic vibratory centre which is the space-time-motion complex.
So,
To put it in a modern, intelligible style. The energy gets condensed , solidified, and more and more externalisation of the preceding one in the succeeding stage is actually the process of the coming of what is called the elements. ( Matter is solidified energy). It’s necessary to learn to spread energy into matter for its appropriate function.( This spreading has to be Physical and not at all psychological. It should not be illusory)

Solidification is nearly always an exothermic process, meaning heat is released when a liquid changes into a solid.( so the reason,we should not waste our body heat making our muscles hard, instead we must spend it on muscle movement and its particular order of sequence, So it’s water, fire, air and space element remain intact )
We know , In our body element air is ubiquitous. Therefore it is a very essential and most important factor to save and enhance this natural great element of air and it’s five forms: Prana, Udana, Vyana, Saman and Apana,though these pancha prana varies and differ with distortion of spaces in each individual.
As we know that in our body the majority of diseases are distortions of element air.

This subtle life force/ energy ,“prana.” This mystical energy flows through our bodies and generates our every action–from gross physical movements to minute biochemical processes.
As a disease is defense of our own body state i.e. distortion of space in our body is the first obstacle which Lord Patanjali describes in Raja yoga.
Without keeping natural inner spaces intact and enhance, we should not play with element air through our nostrils, it’s lead towards many more diseases ,it’s like a short circuit which is last stroke of this process , happens in high BP, heart attack, cardiac arrest, Brain stork, brain hemorrhage, hardening of arteries (arteriosclerosis) and aneurysm and also varicose veins etc . This doesn’t happen suddenly.
So to prevent such levels of diseases , we must understand this space – time – motion in yogasana itself and that is why it is called high tech- space science . We must work on how much heat to create and that is not for wasting heat but to use appropriately. So the elastic property of not only muscular tissues but inner organ soft tissues remain intact.
Equilibrium of inner spaces with outer space is prerequisite to reach a higher state of evolution pathway is Physical, Physiological, psychological, intellectual, spiritual,genetic and natural – evolve.One must understand we can change our genetic where health is concerned but not the way we look or our structure of skin or hair and colour etc. Hope you got what i mean.

So ,to understand the well organised and disorganised state of our body systems is most important, then only conversion of our body state into diseases won’t happen.
Let’s make it simple…
Each of us has a different permeation and combination of these five elements and also five Pranas This differs with each individual that is called prakruti .( This distortion, you will understand while working within your own body )
This inherited prakruti ,we can’t change but We can definitely prevent this to become Vikrut and make it become healthy. That is why Yogasana gives guarantee for health and that is a prerequisite state for Patanjali yoga.
For Equilibrium of inner space with outer space, we need more strength within , to expand because firstly, outer forces acting on our physical body are stronger like gravitational force, atmospheric pressure and movement of earth etc.
Secondly, contraction is a very strong gravitational force, reflex and Defensive force and leads us towards diseases because of wrong adaptation. Hence the intellectual movement of voluntary musculature is essential for our human species. We do not need to work on contraction force but it’s essential to work on expansion force consciously which won’t be easy but won’t be difficult also which definitely need strong will , strength and right direction of efforts.
Therefore one must understand it’s not about performing yogasana and repetitive joint movements, where Muscular architecture becomes dense, stiff and hard.This hardness of muscular matter has direct effect on inner spaces such as pressure difference.
For right adaptation we need exact physical efforts within our own body and strictly following rules of Physical laws that have specific order of sequence in flow of movement of voluntary muscular architecture within. All animals have this type of universal flow naturally but we as a vertical and biped species, it is most essential to improvise and enhance this natural sequntial flow to keep us healthy. Other animals do not have conscious brain to damage this order. But we humans need to work on it .

Therefore I always insist on following this sequence of movement within . I actually hammer this on some of my students.
So what do we need to do? What Do We Have ? and from where to start?
We have the strongest medium , that is voluntary Muscular system under our own conscious will and it’s elastic property is most essential and important quality . But in automation and reflex action, it get lost and we have lose it . Hence we do not know the natural Physical sequntial flow of order which imbibes in our ancient brain.

I want to mention here that ,what I am observing in today’s lifestyle, at developmental stages of child, unknowingly we are breaking this natural physical order which we are not aware . Therefore we have to learn this order intellectually and systematically.

We know that in our body the majority of diseases are distortions of element air,
Air means movement in space. There is no movement without space. Element fire emerges from element space and air.Therefore when these two elements ,Space and Air get distorted that means element fire loses its strength which happens at a deeper level in diabetes. Downfall of element fire is related to symptoms of Acidity, excessive burping, indigestion, gases, heaviness, bloating,water retention, constipation etc are some.of the symptoms of distortion of these elements.

Fire is also linked to Surya /the Sun that is considered to be an active force/ energy.
Most important Characteristic or quality of Element fire is , it changes formation,transformation, chemical changes, reactions, conversion everything that touches fire is changed, often beyond recognition.This conversion can be good or bad.
because it represents energy, which can be helpful when controlled, but volatile if left unchecked.( Without preparation of Physical and Physiological state of our body playing with Prana is dangerous we can say its like a short circuit , this is the reason Hatha yoga gives warning) .

I am trying to make it simple to understand this better at a practical level.
Therefore in our body systems, it’s all related to digestion fire and hormonal secretion and also secretion of mucus.

In our Musculoskeletal system, proportion of earth and water element is more . But if worked incorrectly, it damages element fire hence water is lost So this further distorts space within and air .
and so does pancha prana.
Muscles have dried , in simple words, the density of the mass has increased i.e earth content.
The so-called Muscular toning which is actually stiffness has increased at the cost of flexibility in the joints. The liquidity is lost so is the movement in the musculature . Because of this ,the fire elements have lost their balance.
Since the earth and water elements are weak they can not manage the movement within the muscle that’s what causes the hardening of the muscles.

All these things lead to distortion in space within body cavities further which affects our Physiologiology and psychology.
Fire and air elements are strong by themselves. That’s why by appropriate movement of these two elements, we have to bring balance of earth and water through element fire and air in space.
The conscious movement of voluntary muscles will have to take place to activate our conscious brain for memory programming so it will remain our memory centers forever it is called ” Smruti Parishudhi”

Swati Yoga Shalaa method of teaching and practicing regularly, sincerely with understanding which can be very effective at harmonising and balancing brings equilibrium of these five elements. This is an adventurous journey within our own body following universal laws.

This journey of space – consciousness begins at the Earth element with musculoskeletal structure, variations in fractional dilution in the muscle spindle with conscious movements of voluntary muscles with strong will and strength to bring physical stability this groundedness is an important foundation and patience.

Swati Joshi

Swati Yoga Shalaa

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