Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 11

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 11th posture:

Posture 11:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Inhale and slowly raise the both the arms upwards; take it as much back as possible behind your head;
3. Raise your head upwards and bend it towards back along with your hands;
4. The head should follow the hands while raising and moving towards back;
5. Take your hand and head towards back as much as possible, but do not strain yourself; While taking the arms and head backwards, ensure as if you are trying to touch somebody standing behind you; as far as head, you are trying to see the sky

Breathing: Inhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is concerned with the cultivation of the mind using meditation techniques (dhyana) as against the Hastha Yoga which is concerned with the physical asanans--postures.

The Raja Yoga mainly focuses on the mind. The mind is the King of the mental and physical structure which does it bidding. Because of the relationship between the mind and the body, the body must be disciplined and purified first.

The King of Yogas--Raja Yoga is seen as potential tool for obtaining the selfless state. This is considerd as a starting point in questioning to clense karma, obtain Moksha and Nirvana.

Raja Yoga aims at controlling the thought waves or mental unstability. This is where Raja Yoga helps and is sometimes referred as "Astanga (eight-limbed)"--the eight aspects helps to find the path one must attain. The eight limbs are:

Yama--Code of Conduct
Niyama--Religious Observance
Asana--Integration of Mind and Body through physical activity
Pranayama--Regulation of Breath leading to integration of mind and body
Pratyahara--Abstraction of the Senses, Withdrawal of the senses
Dharana--Concentration, One-mindedness
Dhyana--Meditation
Samadhi--Quite state of blissful awareness, superconsciousness state

Hatha Yogi starts his sadhana with Asanas--postures using physical activity whereas Raja Yogi starts his sadhan with the mind, although minimal asanas and pranayama are gernally included as a preparation for the meditation and concentration.

We will see the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga in the next articles.