Swami Rama, a yogi from the Himalayas, is one of the pioneers in the development of yoga in India and as well as in the West. Swami Rama is the one who introduced the concept of Joints and Glands exercises to the world. In this article let us try to explore how these simple yet power packed set of exercises become an inevitable part of a Sadhaka’s yoga practice!
People who are aware of Yoga, might ask this, what are Joints and Glands exercises?
It is very important to understand that every individual is composed of two aspects: Physical body and within this there is a subtler body. Physical body refers to the gross anatomical structures like muscles, bones, organs etc. Subtler aspect of the body refers to the Nadis and prana. Nadis are the network of energy channels that are present throughout the body. Through these Nadis, the prana (pranic energy field) flows. This subtler body aspect cannot be examined by the modern science equipment but the effect on the physical body, due to changes in the pranic movement, can be recorded. This was once demonstrated by Swami Rama for the scientists who were trying to understand his yogic skills in the scientific background. By regulating the breath in his body he modulated the pranic movement in such a way that the right hand and left hand temperatures were at two different degrees.
There are thousands of Nadis running through our entire body. Wherever 2 Nadis cross each other, the point of cross over is called sandhi. When 3 Nadis cross over each other, that point is called marma and when 4 or more Nadis cross over each other, that point is called Chakra. There are numerous chakras in our body but out of all only 7 are considered to be the principal chakras. All the joints and glands of our body are nothing but major and minor chakras wherethe pranic energy is concentrated.
Whenever an individual goes through any pain or discomfort in his body, it is felt at the physical body. But this experience of pain or discomfort in the physical body is due to the disturbance in the subtler body. That means, if I am having pain in my lower back, then that pain is arising due to the disturbance of the pranic movement in that particular area. Hence, the diseases manifesting in the physical body such as diabetes, hypertension, spinal cord issues, arthritis etc. are the result of imbalance in the pranic movement in the Nadis or subtler body. Once these energy channels are cleansed and detoxed, we can cure many diseases and live a healthy life.
‘Joints and Glands Exercises’ provide a systematic way of cleansing and detoxing the Nadis and Chakras and thereby enhancing the pranic movement through the Nadis, using our physical body as a tool to do it.
This is why Joints and Glands exercises are very important and effective if done regularly and with full awareness. But due to the simplicity of these exercises, people tend to become complacent and most of the times end up in not practicing it properly. Simple practice does not appeal to the human mind. Our mind wants to do something tough, complicated and difficult, so that it can look great, giving the feeling of something big is achieved. It’s my sincere request not to underestimate the ‘Joints and Glands exercises’. Most profound effects are found in doing the simplest things skillfully. Looking at the simple practice, people assume that they have understood and then become satisfied and eventually stop doing it. It is not only about understanding but also about practicing it persistently with all awareness and discipline.
The beauty of Joints and Glands exercises is that, it can be practiced by people of all age group. By increasing the circulation of prana to different parts of the body, a harmonious flow of energy throughout the system can be re-established. This is what makes Joints and Glands very simple but yet very effective. This practice also becomes a holistic preparatory step for doing asanas. The process of doing any Asanas involves extensive stretching of the muscles and intense activation of the joints of the body. Without the prior preparation, you won’t be able to reap the benefits of the most refined and advanced asanas. If the body is not prepared and you continue to do intense asana practices, there are chances that you may disturb the balance of subtle energies and end up hurting yourself.
It’s an earnest request that you kindly start practicing Joints and Glands exercises henceforth. The regular and sincere practice provides an opportunity to re-introduce you to yourself.
Jai Gurudev…!
Shri. Sanket Naik
Thank you Sanket, you have shared very important and subtle information about yoga and it’s practices. It’s inspires me to do it in same manner. I wonder sometimes how beautifully this body is designed by the nature, everything is so connected, each muscle, each nerve is connected to our subtle body. And if we deeply understand this concept, we can surely treat the ailments arising in that part.
Thanks once again
Jai Gurudeva 🙏
Sanketji for emphasizingIn general people do learn yoga but do not apply the practice daily, do’s and don’ts well explained,Why Do We Do Joints & Glands Exercises?before going for asanas, jai guru dev.
Thanks Sanketji for emphasizing the importance of Sukshama Vyayama(Glands and Joints Exercises).As you rightly pointed out in their effectiveness in helping in the movement of prana in the body, Three points i would like to add from my understanding
1) These simple G&J exercises though a great way to smoothen the pranic movements but it also helps in switching from the awareness of( the non breathing) neuromuscular activity to the awareness of breathing type of neuromuscular activity. That is the most important basic affect when done, with breathing, as you have rightly pointed out
2)From my limited experience i think we need to preface these with some sort of shatkarmas (jal /sutra neti,kapalbhati /tratak)as they help in nadi shuddhi ,which is a must for proper/faster pranic movement
3)Also the glands and joint exercises help in changing the direction of VYANA prana from outwards to inwards ,which helps in fortification of other pranas.
Thanks for tickling the brain to think on these lines
enjoyed the blog Sanketji
regards
Beautiful explanation of joints and glands series.. Simple yet profound !!
Thank you Sanket for replenishing and reviving thoughts with useful information on sandhi, marma and chakra manifestations.
Pranaams!!
Thanks a lot for sharing valuable information.
Very often unaware of these minute but very important thing sadhakas face troubles during meditation this would be of immense help in focussing.
very interesting and informative. the details explained are very useful for our regular practice. yes it is important to understand our body and its
function properly. very good article and let us
expect many more throwing light on yoga and its practice. congrats dear sanket.
The importance of joints and glands exercise and how it actually works, which is simple but very effective and can be done by all is well explained in this article by Sanket.
Joint and glands exercises can cleanse and activate the Nadis and Chakras which is subtle in nature . Keeping it active can remove all joint and body related problems. You have made us to understand how Nadis and Chakras actually work and how to cleanse it by doing the exercises with full ‘awareness ‘.
Thanks for your eye opening article Saket. It actually helps us in many ways with simple movements. I will do exercises properly without lazy attitude from now onwards. Special thanks to u again.
Indeed an informative article by Sanket on Joints & Glands exercises which is the basic necessity to lead a healthy life. Its very interesting to know that crossing over of different number of nadis lead to formation of sandhi, marma and chakras.
Joint & Glands exercises detoxify and cleanse the nadis and chakras, thanks for reminding us Sanket.
Wonderful article Sanket. You have explained the importance of joints and glands exercises in a very simple and easy to understand manner.
I will incorporate this insight into my daily practice which you taught during the December workshop.
Jai Guruparampara!
Very useful information Sanket. the article provides overview regarding the importance of the Joints and Gland exercise and its effect on improving the health. I would suggest including the steps or youtube video may help for people to refer while practicing
It is indeed a good and informative article by Sri Sanket Naik, especially the sandhi, marma, chakras and how the Joints and Glands exercises are helpful in cleansing the nadis and easy flow of prana resulting in healthy body. One of the points to be observed is that it can be practiced by the people of all ages. I am grateful to Gurudev Swami Rama for introducing this.
My Namaskarams and respects to Guruji Swami Rama .we are all gifted to have Guruji’s blessings and guidance to the concept of Glands and joints exercise in yoga.As we all are aware, .yoga is a external exercise that helps in making the physical body flexible.
Not many of us are aware of the subtle body.The article gives us an in depth explanation of the what the subtle body is and how the exercise of the gland and joints help in activating the prana to all the nadis, chakras ..
In general people do learn yoga but do not apply the practice to their routine.Shud the exercises be practiced regularly there wud be good flow of energy that wud lead to a good healthy system..Thank u Sanket ji fr this wonderful article.
🙏🙏
Well explained.. Offlate I had stopped practicing this and jump directly to Asanas.. I was also feeling bored.. But now I will do it regularly with Awareness..but challenge is I do it is to devote time daily for this in morning…
Well said sanket . The basic foundation is very important for a building to be unshakable and strong . As it is movement of energy in that particular area which we call joints and it is very important to know that even everyday practitioner face some problem with their carpal muscles as it has to be made energetic working on both the aspects physical as well as subtle
Very inspiring article Sanket….it is interesting to know about sandhi, marma and chakra and the mode of manifestation of disease in the physical body…
Yes, the joints and glands exercises are very simple and one can easily lose awareness while doing them because of their simplicity…but when done with complete awareness, one can feel the activation in each of the parts where it is intended.