Baba
Dangerous asana
Namaskar,
The asanas which Baba has given in our Ananda Marga system are very specific and regulated. They are the ideal asanas for a spiritual aspirant.
In contrast, around the world, the fake yoga movement teaches a whole slew of bad asanas that are very harmful, including shiirsasana (headstand). Many hatha yoga teachers in India and the west prescribe this asana to unknowing and naive people. Yet, as the article below from the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology documents, the headstand position (shiirsasana) can cause blindness.
In Senior Acarya Diary, Baba also warns about the dangers and harm caused by doing shiirsasana (headstand).
If anyone is doing this asana, then we must inform them of the hazards and help save them from incurring blindness and other health concerns like high blood pressure and adverse psychic reactions etc which Baba warns about.
http://anandamargauniversal.blogspot.com/
Kindly read the article below.
In Him,
Pankaj
~ In-depth study ~
Central retinal vein occlusion
following Sirsasana (headstand posture)
following Sirsasana (headstand posture)
by Nikunj J Shah and Urmi N Shah
(Courtesy: US Nat'l Library of Medicine; Courtesy of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology & Medknow Publications)
Abstract
We report a case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) following Sirsasana, a head-down postural yoga. A 55-year-old male patient presented to us, with sudden-onset loss of vision following Sirsasana, in the right eye. The patient had suffered from pulmonary thromboembolism 5 years earlier and was receiving warfarin prophylaxis. Over 6 months of follow-up, the patient developed neovascularization of the iris and was subjected to panretinal laser with no improvement in visual acuity. Sirsasana could be an important risk factor for CRVO especially in predisposed patients.
Sirsasana is a type of postural yoga asana (or posture) in which the body is completely inverted (headstand), and held upright supported by the forearms, while the crown of the head rests lightly on the floor. The practice of Sirsasana is postulated to increase blood flow to the brain, improving memory and other intellectual functions.[1]
We report a case of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) following Sirsasana. Although, its effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) has been studied,[2] there is no study reporting occurrence of CRVO following Sirsasana.
Case Report
A 55-year-old male patient developed sudden loss of vision in the right eye following Sirsasana with wall support (2 minutes) without supervision. The patient had suffered from pulmonary thromboembolism 5 years back and was receiving warfarin prophylaxis. Patient was practicing yoga since past 2 years for 45 minutes, 3–4 times/week. On examination, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was finger counting 1 m in the right and 20/20 in the left eye. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12 mmHg in either eye. Fundus examination showed disc edema, scattered superficial hemorrhages, and superficial whitening in macular area in the right eye [Fig. 1], whereas the left eye fundus was unremarkable. Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) [Fig. 2] confirmed findings of ischemic CRVO with cilioretinal artery occlusion (Red free photos showed retinal whitening along the course of cilioretinal artery in the maculopapillary region and non-filling of the cilioretinal artery in the early phase of angiogram) All systemic investigations (hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lipid profile, blood sugar, serum homocysteine levels) were normal, and international normalization ratio (INR) was 2.0. Over 6 months follow-up, the patient developed neovascularization of the iris and received pan-retinal laser photocoagulation with no improvement in vision.
Figure 1
Red-free photograph showing disc edema, scattered superficial hemorrhages and superficial whitening in the macular area in the right eye
Figure 2
Fundus fluorescein angiography photo: venous phase shows altered vascular caliber, blocked fluorescence at the disc due to hemorrhages, and macular ischemia
Sirsasana is a type of headstand postural yoga performed with or without wall support. This is an advanced pose and should be attempted after practicing forward and backward bends (asanas ), under the supervision of a qualified yoga instructor. Our patient attempted Sirsasana with wall support, without supervision, for 2 minutes. He had no previous experience with Sirsasana but was practicing yoga since 2 years.
Sirsasana is known to cause elevation of IOP, which reverts to normal after cessation of the same.[2 ] A sudden variation in IOP has decompression effect on the eye, as after antiglaucoma surgery, causing decompression retinopathy.[3]
The practice of Sirsasana is reported to increase the flow of blood to the brain, improving memory and other intellectual functions.[1] Although, increased sympathetic vasomotor and sudomotor tone is known to occur after Sirsasana,[4] its effect on ocular hemodynamics has not been studied. Bilateral thromobosis of conjunctival varix has been reported following habitual head standing.[5]
Instructors suggest avoiding Sirsasana in patients with hypertension, congestive heart failure, berry aneurysms, and those above 50 years of age.[1,6] However, there is no existing study to support the above.
INR was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Committee on Thrombosis and Hemostasis for reporting the results of blood coagulation (clotting) tests. A person taking warfarin might optimally maintain a prothrombin time of 2-3 INR. This international standardization permits the patient receiving warfarin to travel and still obtain comparable test results. It is known that patients receiving warfarin prophylaxis may not to be protected against a CRVO, as in our patient (INR-2).[7] Hence, both the above, in a case of pulmonary embolism, would have predisposed our patient to CRVO.
We conclude that predisposed subjects such as those having a previous thromboembolic phenomenon and age above 50 years (as in our patient) can be warned against doing Sirsasana or head down postures in yoga.
Because of the increased popularity of yoga, a long-term study to know its impact on ocular hemodynamics is needed.
References
1. Iyengar GS. YOGA: A Gem for women. 2nd ed. Allied Publishers; 1997. Asanas: Inverted; pp. 180–216.
2. Baskaran M, Raman K, Ramani KK, Roy J, Vijaya L, Badrinath SS. Intraocular pressure changes and ocular biometry during Sirsasana (headstand posture) in yoga practitioners. Ophthalmology. 2006;113:1327–32. [PubMed]
3. Karadimas P, Papastathopolos` KI, Bouzos EA. Decompression retinopathy following filtration surgery. Ophthal Surg Lasers. 2002;33:175–6. [PubMed]
4. Manjunath NK, Telles S. Effects of sirsasana (headstand) practice on autonomic and respiratory variables. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003;47:34–42. [PubMed]
5. Margo CE, Rowda J, Barletta J. Bilateral conjunctival varix thromboses associated with habitual head standing. Am J Ophthalmol. 1992;113:726–7. [PubMed]
6. Thakur B, Sirsasana . In: Yoga for family: A holistic approach. 1>st ed. Datta N, Koshy D, editors. Roli Books; 2007. pp. 89–91.
7. Mruthyunjaya P, Wirostko WJ, Chandrashekhar R, Stinnett S, Lai JC, Deramo V, et al. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in patients treated with long-term warfarin Sodium (Coumadin) for anticoagulation. Retina. 2006;26:285–91. [PubMed]
(Courtesy: US Nat'l Library of Medicine; Courtesy of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology & Medknow Publications)
*
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The below sections are entirely different topics, unrelated to the above material.
They stands on their own as points of interest.
* * *
== Section 2: Prabhat Samgiita ==
Longing of bhakta
"Path ceye base chinu yuga dhare, ele áji ghan varaśáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3226)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, since ages I have been waiting for You looking toward the path of Your arrival - hoping to have Your darshan. All the good days have passed by, yet now, in the pouring rain, You have taken a lot of trouble to come to me. You are so gracious. In this rainy season, the misty pollen fragrance of my ketakii flower is floating all around. Its aroma is permeating throughout this cloudy rainy season.
O' Parama Purusa, with deep yearning in my heart, in the refulgence of the day, I have sought to find You. I have looked for You in the pitch dark night, in the stars, planets, nebulae, everywhere. Baba, I have searched You in every nook and corner of the deep blue sky. In which unknown place were You hiding. I could not get You anywhere.
Through the scorching heat of the daylight hours, I hunted for You until the day was over. Then, in calling and longing for You, the tired night finished and the new dawn arose. In this way ages the have gone - and still I don’t have a trace of You. O' Parama Purusa Baba, in the course of waiting for You, in that long span, the garland which I prepared for You has become dry and withered away. Now only the thread is in my hand. Finally, in this late hour You have come. How shall I honour You and decorate You, my Dear One?
O’ Supreme Entity, in this situation how will I receive You. Now in this pouring rain You have taken advent next to me. Baba, it is Your infinite grace. I surrender at Your lotus feet...
Notes For Prabhat Samgiita #3226:
[1] Ketakii flower: The screw-pine flower or tree is part of the Pandanaceae family or genus Pandanus. This tree has dagger-like leaves and is commonly found throughout SE Asia. This flower is known for its charming fragrance. It flowers especially in the rainy season and the strong aroma permeates the air for miles around. In addition, the plant contains many thorns.
[2] Bhor: After a long span of life, when much time has passed then finally the awaited moment arrives. Hence the literal meaning is early morning or dawn, but the poetic idea is having passed a long time in waiting for the time to come.
"Path ceye base chinu yuga dhare, ele áji ghan varaśáy..." (Prabhat Samgiita #3226)
Purport:
O' Parama Purusa, since ages I have been waiting for You looking toward the path of Your arrival - hoping to have Your darshan. All the good days have passed by, yet now, in the pouring rain, You have taken a lot of trouble to come to me. You are so gracious. In this rainy season, the misty pollen fragrance of my ketakii flower is floating all around. Its aroma is permeating throughout this cloudy rainy season.
O' Parama Purusa, with deep yearning in my heart, in the refulgence of the day, I have sought to find You. I have looked for You in the pitch dark night, in the stars, planets, nebulae, everywhere. Baba, I have searched You in every nook and corner of the deep blue sky. In which unknown place were You hiding. I could not get You anywhere.
Through the scorching heat of the daylight hours, I hunted for You until the day was over. Then, in calling and longing for You, the tired night finished and the new dawn arose. In this way ages the have gone - and still I don’t have a trace of You. O' Parama Purusa Baba, in the course of waiting for You, in that long span, the garland which I prepared for You has become dry and withered away. Now only the thread is in my hand. Finally, in this late hour You have come. How shall I honour You and decorate You, my Dear One?
O’ Supreme Entity, in this situation how will I receive You. Now in this pouring rain You have taken advent next to me. Baba, it is Your infinite grace. I surrender at Your lotus feet...
Notes For Prabhat Samgiita #3226:
[1] Ketakii flower: The screw-pine flower or tree is part of the Pandanaceae family or genus Pandanus. This tree has dagger-like leaves and is commonly found throughout SE Asia. This flower is known for its charming fragrance. It flowers especially in the rainy season and the strong aroma permeates the air for miles around. In addition, the plant contains many thorns.
[2] Bhor: After a long span of life, when much time has passed then finally the awaited moment arrives. Hence the literal meaning is early morning or dawn, but the poetic idea is having passed a long time in waiting for the time to come.
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
How to make Him immensely pleased
Ananda Marga ideology states, “We are all the progeny of Parama Puruśa. He is creating each and every thing. There is no need to worry about the man-made distinctions between tall and short, black and white, male and female. Identify your mind with the Cosmic Mind and see whether that pleases Parama Puruśa or not. Do whatever pleases Him.”
“No father wants to see his child die of starvation or one of his children eating or accumulating more than required. You will have to develop the economic sphere to ensure that these things will never happen. In social life no father would wish to see his widowed daughter forced to dress in an austere fashion, persecuted socially, or debarred from attending social functions. You must not support these things. Rather, you must provide equal opportunities for all.”
“Parents hate to see their children weep. If they do, they take them on their lap and comfort them with love and affection until their tears stop. You will have to build a society in which no one is forced to weep, where everyone smiles joyfully all the time and gets ample scope for laughter. Seeing such mirth and merriment, Parama Puruśa will feel immensely pleased. By giving joy to Parama Puruśa you will feel even more joyful and will feel His close proximity. This is the actual social code. And the actual spiritual code is the one that helps humans move towards Parama Puruśa. Under no circumstances should one create unnecessary controversies. The social code aims at bringing a broad smile to the faces of the progeny of Parama Puruśa. You should all move along this path – you are sure to meet with success.”
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 4, Which Is the Right Path?
== Section ==
পেটের সে ঔষধ
যে জিনিসটা খুৰ ৰেশী খেলে, পেটেতে অন্ত্রে ছোট-ছোট ছিদ্র হয়ে যায় | অর্থাৎ সে রকমের জিনিসকে ৰলৰ ৰিল্ব |
আৰার ওই ৰিল্বই যদি কাঁচা অবস্থায় পুড়িয়ে, তাকে শর্ৰত করে, মোরব্বা করে খাওয়া যায়, তা পেটের সে ঔষধ | তা ৰিল্ব শব্দের এই মানে | যখন ৰেলের প্রভাব ৰেড়ে গেল, তন্ত্রের প্রভাব ৰেড়ে গেল, তখন ৰলা হ’ল যে এই ৰেল শিবের অত্যন্ত প্রিয় | অয়ত্নে বনে ৰাগাড়ে জন্মায়, তাই ৰেলের তখন ভাল করে নাম রাখা হ’ল, শ্রীফল | (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam 18 - Chapter 7
== Section ==
हँसी-दिल्लगी में भी मनुष्य धर्म से हटेंगे नहीं
“कहा गया क्या ? न, "धर्मः रक्षति रक्षितः |" जो धर्म की रक्षा करते हैं, धर्म भी उसकी रक्षा करता है | और, देखो मनुष्य के जीवन में बड़ी-बड़ी घटनाएँ बहुत कम होती है | जीवन छोटी-छोटी घटनाओं से पूर्ण है | बड़ी-बड़ी दो-चार घटनाएँ जीवन में होती हैं |
तो, धर्म की रक्षा या धर्म का प्रतिपालन, केवल जो तुम बड़ी-बड़ी घटनाओं में करोगे---सो बात तो नहीं है | हो सकता है कि किसी विशेष मनुष्य के जीवन में बड़ी घटना---जन्म और मृत्यु के सिवाय, और एक भी नहीं हुई | यह भी तो हो सकता है |तो जनम के time में धर्म की रक्षा वे कैसे करेंगे ? वह तो एकदम बच्चा है | और, मौत के वक्त, मृत्यु के time में उसको तो होश नहीं है---उस वक्त धर्म की रक्षा कैसे करेंगे ?
इसलिए धर्म की रक्षा मनुष्य करेंगे हर घटना में, छोटी-छोटी घटनाओं में, छोटी-छोटी बातों में | Even हँसी-दिल्लगी में भी मनुष्य धर्म से हटेंगे नहीं | तो, जीवन की हर घटना में धर्म की रक्षा करनी है | और जो धर्म की रक्षा करते हैं, धर्म भी उसकी रक्षा करते हैं | तो, "धर्मः रक्षति रक्षितः |” [हिंदी, (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 32 (H), p.86-7
== Section ==
Nothing worthwhile will be achieved
when
“Without spiritual ideals true morality based on universal love cannot be awakened. Unless God is accepted as the creator of all, human fraternity is impossible since God’s authority as the universal father is denied. Only spiritual ideals and spiritual desires can lead humanity onto the path of well-being. Universalism, cosmic ideation and cosmic bliss, unlike the material objects composed of the five fundamental factors, are not limited. Therefore, humanity should be inspired to move on the path of spirituality, or also nothing worthwhile will be achieved.” (1)
Reference
1. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell -3, Some Questions and Answers on Ananda Marga Philosophy – Excerpt B, Answer #45
== Section 4: Links ==
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This email contains four sections:
1. PS #3226: Longing of bhakta
2. Posting: Dangerous asana
3. IT: How to make Him immensely pleased
4. Links
