Yoga and a day in the life of my ancestors

Yoga has always been a way of life in the India of yore. When thousands of years ago the sages spoke about the ashtanga yoga principles, it was in order to help each and every one to have a guideline to live their life to the fullest and highest potential. It may not have been a practice to exercise for an hour a day and call oneself a yogi, but instead yoga was considered a part and parcel of life - yoga was everyone's lifestyle. Here are some ways in which my ancestors practiced yoga in their daily life, apart from actual asana practice.

Setting an intention

Before stepping out of bed a small prayer in the morning was the norm.

“Karaagre Vasatey Laxmi,

Karamadhye Saraswati,

Karamuley sthita Gauri,

Prabhatey kara darshanam”

Laxmi, goddess of wealth lives in the fingertips

Saraswati, goddess of learning resides in the middle of the hand

Gauri (Parvati), goddess of power resides at the base of the palm

I contemplate on my own hands at the first light of morning.

This is a strong intention to remind oneself that one holds the reins of one’s life in their own hands. Working hard each day will ensure that the gods of wealth, learning and power smile down on us. Intention setting was a daily practice, not only before starting mat exercises. This is Karma Yog, to take responsibility for one's life – everyday.

Surya Namaskar

Sun salutations were a part and parcel of life, like brushing your teeth. The 12 traditional poses in the flow sequence are definitely beneficial, but the rays of the morning sun also help to keep vitamin D levels stable and create a sense of well-being that lasts throughout the day.

Sattvik eating

“Yatha Anna Tathaa Mana”

It is said that food maketh a man. In the earlier days there were no refrigerators and people cooked fresh food each time right before meals. This is an extremely healthy practice and helps to keep sattvik quality high and the rajasic and tamasic quality of our life low.

Vajrasan after meals

It is a common practice even in this day to sit down in Vajrasan post-meals as it helps in the process of digestion, whilst also maintaining posture and spinal health.

Walking meditation

Almost every house in ancient India had what is called a Tulsi Vrindavan in the front courtyard. This is where one would offer water to the holy basil plant and circumambulate the area clockwise. Devotees would visit temples and also do the same. The scientific reason is that in the northern hemisphere, we can get the most benefit of positive energy waves by going clockwise around a consecrated area. This everyday practice helps not only to quieten the mind by bhakti yog but also is a great way to meditate as one is focused on only the positive in such a situation.

Charity

Donating some amount of grain and cloth to the needy was customary and it was meant to subconsciously remind people to show kindness which in turn helps to direct our attention from mere material belongings to a higher spiritual wellness. This is in line with the yama of 'Aparigraha' or non-possessiveness, to share whatever we can.

Aroma Therapy

Lighting incense sticks of sandalwood, sage, jasmine, eucalyptus etc in the house was a great way to cleanse the air and bring a feeling of peace and grounding to the household.

Namaste

Joining both palms together is the greeting of choice in India. Its importance is that physically, multiple times a day, you are applying pressure to the selected points on your palms which help in blood circulation to your entire body and also, spiritually, you are bringing your attention to the fact that each being is the same divine spirit and we bow to the light in all. Such a feeling slowly but surely gets rid of the ego and helps a yogi in the path of self-knowledge.

The forehead dot - Bindis and Tikkaas

The quintessential Indian symbol – bindis, tilaks are applied by almost all Indians. Wet sandalwood was used commonly to apply dots, lines (different regions have different styles) between the eyebrows on the forehead. This paste when dry slightly tugs at the skin and takes ones attention to the third eye (Adnya chakra). It is a constant reminder to look inward.

Yoga in prayer and worship

For the common man, religious texts advised certain ways that offerings were to be conducted. For example, to find only particular flowers, leaves, fruits for a particular deity. This was a way to bring people closer to nature under the guise of foraging for a particular god's favorite flower. This was obviously well thought out and only seasonal and regionally specific suggestions are listed in the ancient texts. This practice builds a knowledge of the earth that sustains us, thus inculcating a sense of gratitude and oneness with nature which is a wonderfully calming feeling like one experiences during a guided visualization.

What are some of the ancestral or current 'Dincharya' (daily rituals) in your culture? Do share and let everyone know.. After all, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" - the world is one family.