Physical work tires our body. There are certain activities that tire our mind. Mental fatigue also affects the human body. When one is tired, one needs to rest. In order to rest, generally one stops the work one has been doing—physical or mental. But, in order to take complete rest in the usual way, one needs enough time. Sometimes, we do not have much time to rest before we go back to work. It is, therefore, important that we learn a scientific method to give complete rest to our body in a very short time. For the student of Jeevan Vigyan this scientific way of taking rest has been named Kayotsarg. The physical and mental rest that we get from Kayotsarg is rather unusual.
PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECT OF KAYOTSARG
People all over the world are victims of various kinds of fears and falsehoods. One who becomes easily afraid is liable to be terrified by all. Fear weakens man. Nobody wants to befriend a terrified person. Therefore it is essential that man must deliver himself from fear. We can also say that one objective of the Sadhana is deliverance from fear. The exercise of Kayotsarg takes us gradually from fear to the state of fearlessness. Kayotsarg tells us that this human body has the tendency to change every second. It would also be correct to say that our body is decaying day-by-day.
Kayotsarg tells us about the nature of mortality of the human body. Long term and short term changes keep on occurring in it. When we come face to face with this truth, we get a sense of disillusionment, as far as the body is concerned. Infatuation is one of the causes of fear. When it is removed, we progress towards fearlessness. When we become fearless, our personality is imbued with optimisms which is a positive thought. Thus we gain a disposition which is physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. One, then, gets more inclined towards the Almighty God and does not hanker after worldly possessions.
KAYOTSARG AND HUMAN BODY
The exercise of Kayotsarg influences each and every organ of the body. Concentration is projected from toe to head in the mechanism of Kayotsarg and one progresses from one organ to other in a sequential manner.
In Kayotsarg concentration starts from the big toe of the right foot. Then it passes on to the other smaller toes of the right foot. Then it comes to the sole, heel, ankle, calf, knee, thigh and waist. Similarly, one concentrates on each part of the left leg.
Thereafter it ascends to the pelvic region, navel, entire stomach region and all the internal organs— kidneys, intestines, spleen, liver, gall bladder and stomach. Chest and other internal organs come next, i.e. heart, lungs ribs etc. The entire back is also focused upon in visualization. Both arms, shoulders and neck stages are passed and then one proceeds from the throat to the head, i.e. throat, chin, lips, gums and teeth inside the mouth, tongue, palate, cheeks, nose, ears, eyes, forehead and then finally one comes to the head.
In this way every organ of our body is involved in this process. All organs come under the influence of Kayotsarg. They lose tension and become relaxed. The body organs get tired during work continuously carrying out the task of receiving and sending messages from and to the brain. In order to overcome this fatigue, all organs need more glucose and an additional amount of oxygen. Moreover, when these organs work overtime or for a long period they depreciate. Therefore, it is essential for the organs to take rest.
No doubt, Nature has gifted us with sleep. But in the absence of emotional calm, even a long sleep fails to give the desired rest to our body and mind. Whereas, Kayotsarg performs this task in a very short time span. Kayotsarg not only relaxes our physical tension, it also brings about mental equilibrium. This reduces the consumption of glucose in our body. After doing Kayotsarg we feel fresh power surging up in our body. Our efficiency and capacity for work multiplies and we feel like a newly charged battery. It also delays the coming of old age. However, we must ensure that we do not fall asleep while performing Kayotsarg. But if we perform it before going to bed, we get a sound and peaceful sleep. Kayotsarg also develops in us the capability to control our thought process and enables us to enjoy emotional pleasures.
EXERCISE
What is Kayotsarg? What are the benefits according to physiology?
