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The skin endcloses all the sheaths and bodies. It should be firmed and sensitive to the slightest movement. All the sheaths are intermingled on their different levels from the skin to the self.
*'''AIMS IN LIFE (PURUSARTHAS)'''
Man has four aims in his life; dharma, artha, kama and moksa. Dharma is duty. Without this and ethical discipline, spirutual attainment is impossible.
Artha is the acquisition of wealth for independence and higher pursuits in life. It cannot give lasting joy; nevertheless, a poorly nourished body is a fertile ground for worries and diseases.
*Asanas purify the body and mind and have preventive and curative effects. They are innumerable, catering to the various needs of the muscular, digestive, circulatory, glandular, nervous and other systems of the body.
They cause changes at all levels from the physical to the spiritual. Health is the delicate balance of body, mind and spirit. By practising asanas the sadhaka's physical disabilities and mental distractions vanish and the gates of the spirit are opened.
Asanas bring health, beauty, strength,firmness,lightness, clarity of speech and expressions, calmns of the nerves and happy disposition. Their practice can be compared to the growth of a mango tree. If the tree has grown sound and healthy, its essence is to be found in its fruit. Likewise, the essence distilled from practising asanas is the spiritual awakening of the sadhaka. He is free from all dualities.
*There is a popular misconception that both asanas and pranayama should be practised together from the time yoga-sadhana is begun. It is the author's experience that if a novice attend to the perfection of the of the postures, he cannot concentrate on breathing. He loses balance and the depth of the asanas. Attain steadiness (sthirata) and stillness (achalata) in asanas before introducing rhythmic breathing techniques. The range of bodily movements varies from posture to posture. The less the range of bodily movement, the smaller will be the space in the lungs and the breathing pattern will be shorter. The greater the range of bodily movement in asanas, the greater will be the lung capacity, and the deeper the breathing pattern. When pranayama and asanas are done together, see that the perfect posture is not disturbed. Until the posture are perfected, do not attempt pranayamaa. One soon realises that when asanas are well performed, pranayamic breathing automatically sets in.
