Ananda Marga School

Yoga has come a long way since the time of Lord Shiva and has been enriched by many spiritual schools and scholars. In general, these personalities are well-known. But the greatest and most recent contribution of the vast personality Shri Shri Anandamurti to the field of yoga is yet to be recognised. Although he has enriched every aspect of social life from education to art and culture, songs, economy, science, anthropology, philology and spiritual science, his most important contributions have been in the field of yoga.

Anandamurti sees the ultimate goal as the attainment of the supreme spiritual stance. It is also the final goal of human life. To achieve this sublime state one should be well established in every limb of Ashtanga yoga. According to Anandamurti, unless a person strictly practices Yama and niyama,—the first two limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, it will be impossible for him to perform the spiritual practice or yoga sadhana. He suggests that a moral revolution is needed to create balance in individual personal life to create a well-knit exploitation-free society. Such a revolution can only be brought about through strict adherence to the principles of  Yama and Niyama. In his book, “Jiiban Veda” Anandamurti has discussed this subject in depth.

In his numerous discourses and discussions, essays and books he has uncovered the glorious truth of ancient yogic science through the light of modern science and rational thinking.  The science of psychology–Foods, Cells, Physical, and Mental Development—Glands and Subglands—Instincts and Devotion—Mysticism and Yoga–Cerebral and Extra-Cerebral Memory—Bio-Psychology—The Faculty of Knowledge—Four Dimensions of Micropsychic Knowledge, Plexi and Microvita—-all of his writings tell the world about the need and importance of yogic science more authentically and scientifically.

In a  world is fascinated by the physical aspects of yoga he has silently revolutionised our understanding of the internal spiritual aspects.  I think he is the first guru to demonstrate that that human propensities and indeed a person’s entire psychology, behaviour and personality can be changed through the regular performance of asanas if done scientifically. He has clearly demonstrated the subtlety of this science and advises us to perform yoga sadhana or spiritual practice twice a day regularly without waiting till we retire. He sees it is an indispensable part of our daily routine which we should learn right from the age of five.

According to Anandamurti yoga is a universal spiritual practise which is blended with Tantra and practices of which are free from religious fanaticism, superstitions and blind faith. In fact, he envisioned a future where every individual will perform spiritual practices and move together towards the same spiritual goal.

Yogasadhana  is not merely theoretical but involves a comprehensive set of meditation or yoga sadhana practices that can transform one’s life. The practice developed by Shri Shri Anandamurti composed of six practical steps called Rajadhiraj yoga. To spread his teachings, he has also created a global mission, called Anandamarga—the path of bliss, propagated by large numbers of renunciate workers.

In the space age, we live in every minute counts. We want to achieve maximum benefits while devoting a minimum of time. Given the need of the hour and the physical-psychic complexity of modern human life, Shri Shri Anandamurti prescribed only forty-two asanas (yoga exercises) from which a few may be chosen to suit the individual need. He is not in favour of practising asanas which are risky and could have harmful effects. He has also created two simple yoga dances which can benefit every individual.  His  Yoga acharyas are trained to prescribe asanas, bandhas, in accordance with the physical-psychic and spiritual state of the individual as well as to gradually teach the six stages of Rajadhiraj yoga. These practices help people immensely in their efforts to attain the ultimate goal of yoga or samadhi.

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti has made several very important contributions to yoga, including the Kaushiiki and Tandava dances. Kaoshiiki is designed especially for females, although males can also practise it and gain benefit from it.

Kaoshiiki

The word Kaoshikii is derived from the Sanskrit word “kosa” meaning a “sheath” or layer of the mind. Kaoshiiki dance develops not only the body but the subtle layers of the mind and is the benefit to the entire body, from head to toe. It keeps the spine flexible, reduces unnecessary body fat and helps regular menstruation. It also reduces the pain of childbirth. One can practise it even during menstruation and until the sixth month of pregnancy.

Kaushikii increases longevity and, keeps the body fit into old age.

It stimulates the heart and circulatory system and increases the flexibility of the joints, knees, hips, spine, and shoulders.  It also sharpens and strengthens the mind.

Kaushikii is thus an invaluable and comprehensive health practice, especially for women. All Anandamargiis perform this dance every day along with yoga.

One can learn the practical process of this unique yoga dance by contacting any local Ananda Marga unit or Ananda Marga yoga yeacher or acharya. Many yoga practitioners now practising these dances and gain benefit from them.

Tandava

The great Indian yogi Lord Sadashiva invented Tandava as a spiritual dance. Shrii Shrii Anandamurti reintroduced and included it in the daily yoga practices. The dance involves vigorously jumping from one foot to the other, the knee of the raised leg crossing one of three selected points—the navel, the heart, or the throat.

Tandav is performed for a period of four/five minutes twice a day at the end of meditation or asanas and represents the struggle between the forces of life and death.

It can easily be learnt with a little effort. The spirit of Tandava is, “I will face the fear of death, which surrounds me on all sides and overcome it using the power of my mind. No force will prevent from reaching the goal. No evil tendency, no enemy, no bondage can shake my determination to be victorious.”

This vigorous dance is only for men since it has a masculinizing effect it stimulates the adrenal cortex which secretes male hormones. These hormones, in turn, stimulate the testes to produce testosterone—the hormone responsible for ‘maleness’.

Tandava also stimulates the entire circulatory system–the heart, the lungs and the muscles of the feet, lower legs, thighs, pelvis, back, neck and arms. Tandava thus reduces the possibility of heart attack, high blood pressure and atrophy of the lungs. More importantly, Tanadava is the only physical activity that exercises the brain and is indispensable for developing virility, vitality and courage.