SIMPLIFIED PHYSICAL EXERCISES
Thathuvagnani Vethathiri Maharishi
AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION
Man is a harmonious blending of body and spirit - a marvellous fusion of physical structure, life-force and mental faculties that have evolved during countless millennial to a very high level of perfection. The human being has come into this world with a purpose to develop his consciousness to the fullest extent and achieve perfection and everlasting peace. Although spiritual development is the goal of man, its realisation is possible only if the physical body is maintained in a healthy condition. For this, we must first know of all know something about the structure and working of the human body.
In the functioning of the human system, it is the life-force that plays the main role; the physical structure serves only as a container. A closer study of the human being will reveal that it consists of five layers corresponding to the five elements: solid, liquid, heat, air and ether or Akash. Solid is the Physical structure, Liquid is the blood, heat is the electricity, air is the oxygen and Akash is the life-force.
The subtle life-force and the gross solid body are linked together by three media, viz, liquid, heat and air. If the normal quantity and quality of these media and the pace of their circulation within the human system are adversely affected in any way, the life-force in its electrical function gets short-circulated and the molecular arrangement in the physical body is disturbed or punctured.
As a result, the life-force gets obstructed, diverted or exhausted in proportion to the extent of the disturbance and the intensity of the short-circuit. Whenever there is such a disturbance, it is called 'pain'.
If the disturbance is more intense, the pain is also more, as there is a corresponding increase in the exhaustion of the life-force. If the disturbance is for a short period, it is known as pain. If it extends over a long period, it is known as 'disease'.
If the disturbance is of such magnitude that a major portion of the life-force is exhausted, the functioning of the physical body gets paralysed and comes to a standstill; such a condition is known as 'death'.
From the above analysis it will be clear that for maintaining good health one should guard against disturbances in the physical body, the life-force and the three media. Disturbances occur in two ways; either through our own actions or through the functioning of natural forces. Neglect, improper or over-indulgence in food, sleep, work, sex and use of thought-force are the factors by which the disturbances are caused by our own actions. Climatic differences, hereditary imprints and changes in the intensity of radiation of planets due to variation of distances are caused by natural forces. Nature has provided a certain amount of immunity in all human beings against such disturbances.
But if this immunity level is crossed, health gets impaired. We can, to a large extent, avoid these actions that cause such disturbances. But, sometimes, we become victims to circumstances and act in such a way that we cross the immunity level. It is not possible to avoid the consequences of the functioning of the natural forces. Hence, the only course of action open to us is to raise our immunity level, so that our body will be able to withstand not only our own erroneous actions, but also the unpredictable onslaught of natural forces.
Over the centuries, man has discovered that through suitable physical exercises, he can develop and increase his immunity level so that he may guard against ill health,
There are 2 aspects in all physical exercises:
- postures
- movements
These simple exercises, if practised regularly.
- Oxygenates the human body
- Activate the endocrine glands
- Purify the blood and regulate its circulation
- Rejuvenate the whole system
- Help build up a very high level of immunity against diseases.
