LAYERS OF OURSELVES

The Holistic approach of Yoga in achieving Total Quality of Life
by Kausthub Desikachar

Have you ever wondered why its so challenging to understand and achieve the concept of Quality of Life. Researchers, medical professionals, psychologists, social workers and also policy makers are constantly trying to understand this domain and its predictors. The most intriguing part of the concept of quality of life is that it is not only dynamic and dependent on many variables, but it is also a very subjective state of well being. Much of the modern day research seem to indicate different variables such as physical well being, mental and emotional stability, social harmony, environmental factor, occupational satisfaction etc., as significant parameters that contribute to overall Quality of Life. These studies not only indicate the intricate connections between these variables, but also that they change dramatically with time, as well as within individuals. What can be a significant variable for one individual, need not be such a significant factor for another. Also what is significant for one at a particular time, may also change quite dramatically when circumstances change in the future. It is also a coherent thought between researchers that many of the factors that contribute to each other quite significantly, and what changes the subjective feeling about one domain, influences the perception of the other domains in our lives too.

Yoga and Quality of Life

Even though the modern seekers try to address the concept of Quality of Life, and its variables, many of the ancient yogi-s already pursued this topic, and came to their own reasonable conclusions. These not only provide insightful answers to the questions raised today, but also offer simple and practical solutions to achieve an overall sense of well being. Yoga in particular has always insisted on a holistic approach to understanding our human domain, and therefore promotes tools that also influence more than one layer in us. Through understanding the principles of Yoga philosophy, we see that our human system is a complex and holistic entity that is not only made of five layers (panca maya), but also five bags (panca kosa), eleven faculties (dvadasa karana), and also many psychological layers (vasana, samskara, smrti), all of whom contribute to each other and dynamically influence our sense of well being, and therefore our overall Quality of Life. This is precisely why yoga's tools are so potent, in the sense that they influence more than one aspect of our system, and thus can aid us in our journey toward overall Quality of Life. Considering also that each individual has a different set of priorities and capabilities, it is also the reason that Yoga has presented many different kinds of tools to aid us in this journey, rather than just merely one. This is why yoga needs to be understood, as a multi-dimensional self-empowering philosophy in practice, rather than just a set of physical exercises as it is more commonly perceived today. Think about it. Its worth discovering every layer of your self and learning how to implement integrative practices of yoga in a multi-dimensional manner for health and wellbeing.

Dr. Kausthub Desikachar has just completed his PhD, from the University of Madras, where his topic of research was "Impact of Individualized Yoga Training on Quality of Life". Dr. Kausthub Desikachar, son and student of TKV Desikachar, began studying yoga when he was nine years old. After completing his dual masters degree, he committed himself to becoming a full-time student and teacher of yoga. He recently completed his doctorate education, and continues to share his knowledge of traditional wisdom, and modern research all over the world. He has authored several books on yoga including, The Yoga of the Yogi, a biography of his grandfather, the great Yogi, T. Krishnamacharya, as well as Masters in Focus, which is a photographic tribute to five of the greatest yoga masters of our time. Dr. Kausthub is the co-founder of the Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation (KHYF) and also the chief administrator of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM), where he is a Senior Teacher and Yoga Therapy Consultant. He is also a patron of the British Wheel of Yoga, and an adviser to the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Dr. Kausthub Desikachar will be offering three very PRACTICAL seminars this autumn that will address these very topics. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of these events.

Fire in the Belly. Light in the Heart. Layers of the Self.
15-19 September 2010. Portland, Oregon