The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga

1. Yoga is the union of body, mind, and spirit

Yoga is the union of body, mind, and spirit — the union of your individuality with the divine intelligence that orchestrates the universe.

Holistic integration. Yoga is more than just physical exercise; it's a comprehensive system for aligning all aspects of one's being. The practice aims to harmonize the individual with the cosmic order, leading to enhanced well-being on emotional, psychological, and spiritual levels. This integration allows for the spontaneous fulfillment of desires, as one's personal wants align with the universal flow.

Ancient wisdom, modern application. Rooted in Vedic philosophy, yoga offers practical techniques for self-realization and living in harmony with natural laws. The four main paths of yoga—Gyan (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion), Karma (action), and Raja (royal path)—provide different approaches to achieving this union, catering to various temperaments and life circumstances.

2. The Seven Spiritual Laws govern yoga practice and life

Success in yoga provides a template for success in life.

Universal principles. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, when applied to yoga practice, offer a framework for personal growth and spiritual development. These laws are:

1. Pure Potentiality
2. Giving and Receiving
3. Karma (Cause and Effect)
4. Least Effort
5. Intention and Desire
6. Detachment
7. Dharma (Purpose in Life)

Daily practice. By focusing on one law each day of the week, practitioners can integrate these principles into their yoga practice and daily life. This consistent application helps align one's actions with the natural flow of the universe, leading to greater success and fulfillment in all areas of life.

3. Meditation calms the turbulent mind and expands awareness

Meditation is the technology that enables you temporarily to escape from this cycle.

Breaking the thought cycle. Meditation offers a way to transcend the endless loop of impressions, desires, and actions that keep the mind in constant motion. By gently focusing attention and witnessing thoughts without attachment, one can access the gap between thoughts and experience unbounded awareness.

Techniques for transformation. The book presents several meditation methods:

• Chakra meditation using specific mantras for each energy center
• So Hum meditation, focusing on the breath
• Primordial Sound Meditation, using personalized mantras

Regular practice of these techniques can lead to increased mental clarity, reduced stress, and a deeper connection to one's essential nature.

4. Pranayama breathing exercises regulate vital energy

Breath is the essence of life.

Life force control. Pranayama techniques allow practitioners to consciously regulate their vital energy (prana) through breath control. This practice not only enhances physical health but also provides a gateway to influencing other autonomic functions of the body.

Key techniques:

• Bhastrika (Bellows Breath): Energizing and cleansing
• Kapalabhati (Shining Breath): Invigorating and purifying
• Dirgha (Complete Breath): Balancing and relaxing
• Ujjayi (Success Breath): Cooling and focusing
• Nadi Shodhana (Channel Clearing Breath): Calming and balancing

Regular practice of these breathing exercises can lead to improved respiratory function, reduced stress, and increased mental clarity.

5. Asanas enhance flexibility, strength, and balance

Infinite flexibility is the secret to immortality.

Physical and mental benefits. Yoga postures (asanas) not only improve physical health but also cultivate mental and emotional well-being. Regular practice enhances flexibility, strength, and balance in the body, which in turn promotes adaptability and resilience in life.

Key posture categories:

1. Body Awareness Poses: Enhance mind-body connection
2. Flexibility Postures: Increase range of motion and release tension
3. Balancing Poses: Improve physical and mental stability
4. Energy-Opening Poses: Release spinal congestion and promote energy flow

Each category of poses offers unique benefits, contributing to overall health and vitality when practiced regularly.

6. Sun Salutations provide a complete yoga workout

According to yoga, if you do the sun salutations every day of your life, your mind will remain alert and vibrant and your body will be light and flexible.

Comprehensive sequence. The twelve poses of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations) offer a complete exercise routine that works all major muscle groups and joints while stimulating internal organs. This flowing sequence can be performed at varying speeds to enhance flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health.

Spiritual significance. Each pose in the Sun Salutations is associated with a specific mantra, connecting the physical practice to the spiritual aspect of yoga. This integration of movement, breath, and sound helps to awaken the body's inner fire (agni) and harmonize the practitioner with the rhythms of nature.

7. Energy-opening poses release congestion in the spine

These final poses are designed to release congestion in the spine, enabling prana to nourish every organ, tissue, and cell in your body.

Kundalini awakening. Energy-opening poses focus on releasing blockages in the spine, allowing for the free flow of vital energy (prana) throughout the body. This process is often associated with the awakening of Kundalini energy, visualized as a coiled serpent at the base of the spine.

Key energy-opening poses:

• Matsyendrasana (Spinal Twist)
• Chakrasana (Kneeling Wheel)
• Vajrasana (Diamond Pose)
• Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
• Balasana (Child's Pose)

Regular practice of these poses can lead to improved energy flow, better spinal health, and a deeper sense of inner balance and vitality.

8. Regular yoga practice integrates the Seven Spiritual Laws into daily life

A yogic practice eliminates the static in the communication lines between your mind and body.

Embodied wisdom. Consistent yoga practice helps integrate the Seven Spiritual Laws into daily life by enhancing the practitioner's ability to listen to their body and make conscious choices. This improved mind-body connection allows for more intuitive decision-making and alignment with one's true purpose.

Practical application:

• Daily yoga sessions incorporating pranayama, meditation, asanas, and energy work
• Focusing on the Spiritual Law of the Day to reinforce its principles
• Cultivating awareness of how yoga practice translates into daily life situations

By regularly engaging in this holistic practice, practitioners can experience increased clarity, flexibility, balance, strength, and centered awareness, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

Last updated: November 2, 2024