Called “one of the oldest systems of personal development
encompassing body, mind and spirit” by the Journal of the Royal Society
of Medicine, yoga has become one of the fastest growing health trends
today. It has been renowned for centuries for its curative powers of
movement.
Yoga consists of a number of “asnas,” or body positions, which one retains for a desired length of time while either reciting “mantras“or
breathing in a rhythmic manner. Its benefits have been researched by
many doctors who now recommend it to their patients, by many medical
schools such as Harvard, and by many foundations such as the Menninger
Foundation.
In fact, yoga has become so popular that secretaries have developed a
simplified sitting version that they can do at their desks. The
elderly, pregnant women and athletes also have their own versions.
Interestingly, for the millions of people enrolled in yoga classes,
the Islamic form of prayer has provided Muslims for fourteen centuries
with some of yoga’s same (and even superior) benefits. This simple form
of “yoga” offers physical, mental, and spiritual benefits five times a
day as Muslims assume certain positions while reciting Qur’an and adhkar (remembrances of Allah).
Of course, not all the yoga positions are found in the Islamic
prayer. However, hospital researchers have concluded that patients
benefit from even a simplified version of yoga, and most hospital yoga
programs, such as those at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in
Massachusetts, consist of only five to seven positions.
The Muslim prayer has five positions, and they all (as well as the
recitations we make while performing the prayer) have a corresponding
relationship with our spiritual and mental well-being, according to
modern scientific research. The benefits of performing specific
movements and recitations each day come from the correct rendition of
the position or action itself, the length of time the position is held,
and from careful and correct recitation techniques.
Each of the five prayer positions has a corresponding yoga position,
and the positions together activate all seven “chakras” (energy fields)
in the body. The idea of activating a chakra may sound linguistically
strange, but it is easier to understand once one translates that word
into more familiar language.
Eastern healers believe that each of the chakras correlate to major
nerve ganglia that branch forth from the spinal column. Thus, the
concept of activating these nerve centers is akin to getting a
chiropractic adjustment or installing a medical stimulating device on
the spine to correct corresponding bodily malfunctions.
In layman’s terms, the idea of chakras can be understood by thinking
about how the sense of “feeling” functions. One notices, when touching
any part of the body, that part responds by being more “awake” and
aware. Another part of the body that was not touched, but is along the
same nerve pathway, may also respond.
When a person is sitting, for instance, they may not be thinking
about their legs, which are momentarily at rest; however, if someone
touches them, they will again be “aware” of them. Chakras work in much
the same way.
Studies have found that varying areas of the body, when activated by
touch, movement or thought, evoke specific emotional and physical
responses in much the same way that a smile can evoke the feeling of
happiness, and actually increase circulation – even if one was feeling
sluggish and unhappy before smiling. This is one of the reasons that it
is so important to perfectly perform all of the movements of the Islamic
prayer, rather than haphazardly rushing through them.
The takbir and Al-Qiyam together are very similar to
the Mountain Pose in yoga, which has been found to improve posture,
balance, and self-awareness. This position also normalizes blood
pressure and breathing, thus providing many benefits to asthma and heart
patients.
The Islamic form of prayer has provided Muslims for fourteen centuries with some of yoga’s same (and even superior) benefits.
The placement of the hands on the chest during the qiyam
position are said to activate the solar plexus “chakra,” or nerve
pathway, which directs our awareness of self in the world and controls
the health of the muscular system, skin, intestines, liver, pancreas,
gallbladder and eyes. When the hands are held open for du`aa’,
they activate the heart “chakra,” said to be the center of the feelings
of love, harmony, and peace, and to control love and compassion. It also
governs the health of the heart, lungs, thymus, immune system, and
circulatory system.
Muslim researchers have shown that when Muslims recite the Qur’an,
old thoughts, feelings, fears and guilt are released or healed, and
blood pressure and stress levels are reduced. Virtually all of the
sounds of the Arabic language are uttered while reciting Qur’an,
creating a balance in all affected areas of the body.
Some specific sounds, in fact, correspond to major organs in the
body. In his research and creation of eurhythmy, Rudolph Steiner
(founder of the Waldorf Schools), found that vibrations made when
pronouncing the long vowels, ‘A’, ‘E’ and ‘U,’ stimulated the heart,
lungs, and the thyroid, pineal, pituitary, and adrenal glands during
laboratory tests.
The position of ruku` (bowing) is very similar to the Forward
Bend Position in yoga. Bowing stretches the muscles of the lower back,
thighs, legs and calves, and allows blood to be pumped down into the
upper torso. It tones the muscles of the stomach, abdomen, and kidneys.
Forming a right angle allows the stomach muscles to develop, and
prevents flabbiness in the mid-section.
This position also promotes a greater flow of blood into the upper
regions of body particularly to the head, eyes, ears, nose, brain, and
lungs – allowing mental toxins to be released. Over time, this improves
brain function and one’s personality, and is an excellent stance to
maintain the proper position of the fetus in pregnant women.
The Prostration is said to activate the “crown chakra,” which is
related to a person’s spiritual connection with the universe around them
and their enthusiasm for spiritual pursuits. This nerve pathway is also
correlated to the health of the brain, nervous system, and pineal
gland. Its healthy function balances ones interior and exterior
energies.
In prostration, we also bend; thus activating the “base chakra,”
which controls basic human survival instincts and provides essential
grounding. This helps to develop levelheaded and positive thinking along
with a highly motivated view of life, and maintains the health of the
lymph and skeletal systems, the prostate, bladder, and the adrenal
glands. We also bend the “sacral chakra” during prostration, thus
benefiting and toning the reproductive organs.
The position of julus (sitting) is similar to the Thunderbolt
Pose in yoga, which firms the toes, knees, thighs, and legs. It is said
to be good for those prone to excessive sleep, and those who like to
keep long hours. Furthermore, this position assists in speedy digestion,
aids the detoxification of the liver, and stimulates peristaltic action
in the large intestine.
Last, but not least, the “throat chakra” is activated by turning the
head towards first the right and then the left shoulder in the closing
of the prayer. This nerve path is linked to the throat, neck, arms,
hands, bronchia, and hearing – effecting individual creativity and
communication.
It is believed that a person who activates all seven nerve pathways
at least once a day can remain well balanced emotionally, physically and
spiritually. Since this is the goal of all sincere Muslims, we all
should strive to attain the perfection of stance, recitation, and
breathing recommended in the Hadith while performing our prayers – the
very same techniques of perfection taught in popular yoga, Tai Chi, and
many other exercise classes.
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