8 yoga for creativity

YOGA FOR
CREATIVITY
DEVELOPMENT

Published by
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Prakashana
#19, Eknath Bhavan, Gavipuram Circle, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru - 560019
City Office - Ph: 080-26612669 Telefax: 080-26608645
Prashanti Kutiram Campus - Ph: 080-22639996
E mail: svyasa@svyasa.org Web: www.svyasa.org

Contents
Ch.No. Title
1

INTRODUCTION

2

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF

THE VOCAL SYSTEM

3

CAUSES OF INJURY TO THE

VOCAL SYSTEM

4

VOCAL DISORDERS AND

VOICE DISORDERS

5

VOICE CULTURING

DEVELOPING MUSICAL TALENTS

6

VOICE CULTURE FOR

DEVELOPING ORATION

7

YOGA PRACTICES FOR

VOICE CULTURE

Page No.

Yoga for Creativity Development | 7

CREATIVITY AND INTELLIGENCE
What is Creativity? How is it different from Intelligence? What
are the uses of Creativity? We will try to understand in this
Chapter. Creativity and Intelligence are facets of our mind.
The Mind called as Chitta has several functions. The grossest function is of the random mind. The mind jumps from
one subject to another. Concentration helps us to channelize
these energies which get wasted in a random mind and channelization of energy is useful. When the dam is constructed
and channels and control valves are arranged, the whole water
becomes so useful for irrigation and for generation of electricity. Similarly the energy of our Chitta has to be properly
channelized to make use of it effectively. But in its gross form
of Manas, it cannot be done as it jumps randomly. The whole
effort in education is to develop power of intelligence, power of
discrimination, logical mind, analytical mind, discriminative
mind. So in that you try to unravel the mystery by going to the
root cause of what do you see. From diversity to unity is the
key essence of intelligence. That
is called the Buddhi. We have
yet another faculty also. It is creativity. What is creativity? From
one thing you start developing
many things. Take for example a
seed. Plant the seed, put water,
it starts sprouting. Slowly stem
comes up and gradually develops
Yoga in Education for Total Personality Development SERIES - 7

8 | Yoga for Creativity Development

into a beautiful tree. The leaves and the flowers and the fruits
grow. This is creation; all that is contained in the seed. What
type of mango you get? What is the taste of the mango? What
is the shape of the mango? What is the size of the mango?
What is the colour of the mango? Everything is predetermined
in the seed that is planted there. So the diverse manifestation outside is all contained in the potential form in the seed.
So creativity is to create from potential to the kinetic or the
manifest; from one to many. In the beginning, for the creation
the Lord told that I am one; I am going to become many. Bahusyam prajayayet iti ….. I am going to create many. In the
same way that power is also within us by which we will be
able to create newer and newer things, diverse things. This
is what is Creativity. Nava Navonmesha shalini manah. Creative mind is that which has the power to bring out newer and
newer things. Each time you go to a dream world, you have a
new dream that is coming up; each time you are creating the
world of your own. What dream you had yesterday you will
not have it today or tomorrow. Very rarely you have the same
type of dream. So there is a creativity in the dream world.
what you see in the dream is a totally new world of your own.
It is all the creation of your mind. Your dream is created out
of your mind, my dream is created out of my mind. Every one
has their own Swapna Prapancha. Something very fascinating, something very enjoyable, But some dreams can be terrific. You have been going towards an isolated region and from
the forest comes a lion and you run for your life and the lion
is chasing you, you are running with a high speed for your life
and suddenly the lion comes pouncing on you and you scream
aloud. Suddenly you come back to the wakeful world and



you say ah I am saved. What happened? This was all your
own creation. In another dream you are the king of the whole
country. You have got everything so wonderful, so enjoyable,
so comfortable, so palatial. But when you come back from the
dream, you are back in the poor hutment where you are living
with a petty small little salary and you have to do hard labor.
Then you regret how I wished that dream was true. Therefore
sometimes we are happy about coming out of a dream world
and sometimes we regret.
So when you come to the Jagrat, as the dream is over, all
that appears as a swapna. So dream is a very creative manifestation of the mind. So what is the difference between intelligence and creativity? In intelligence we move from diversity
to single, trying to find the root cause of the effect that we see.
All the diversity that we see in this physical world is made
out of energy. Everything is nothing but different quantum of
energy. The intelligent discriminative, logical mind is referred
here. Creativity is opposite to it. Creativity is a power to manifest, a power to create a new thing. That is very necessary
for technology, for engineering. Because having understood
the principles of electricity, it was given to the engineers. The
technologists made use of that electricity in various forms. In
the form of the light to get the magnetic effect and to use it for
heating and through that several gadgets started coming up.
A large number of its utility started coming up and all that we
see today in the physical world either in the Super Bazaars or
the Metros are creative manifestation of that entity. They all
are brought through the power of creativity. Creativity therefore is from one to many, intelligence is from many to one. In



the random mind, we have many thoughts. Large number of
unconnected thoughts, unconnected subjects are in the gross
mind or Manah. But in the power of Buddhi, they get a clear
understanding going deep into the subject and try to unravel
the mysteries of the diverse world moving from effect to the
cause, moving from diversity or multiplicity to unity. That
is the scientific mind, that is the Buddhi, that is the work of
Buddhi, that is the power of Buddhi. However exactly the opposite of that is in creativity. In creativity we move from one to
many. That is from single entity to this entire divergent world.
But both are equally useful. Just as intelligence is useful, creativity also is useful. But intelligence is the work of the left
brain and the creativity often is the work or the functioning
of the right brain. The two things are complementary. A person can develop essentially intelligence, or logical frame work,
analytical mind, brilliant mind, sharp mind to go deeper into
the subject. But another person may be an artist, may be a
musician, may be a sculpturist who is full of creativity, but
he may not be intelligent. An intelligent person need not be
creative, a creative person need not be an intelligent one. But
when you are both creative as well as intelligent, you have full
blossom of personality and that is what Yoga wants us to do.
Not merely one sided development. But it should be a total
development of the personality and that is what we are trying
to learn in the next chapters.



SILENCE
THE SOURCE OF CREATIVITY
In the last Chapter, we tried to understand the difference
between Buddhi the intelligence and Srijanatmaka Shakti the
creativity. We understood that it is the work of Buddhi, Discrimination power with which you go deep into the subject.
From multiplicity you go to the unity to find out a single cause
from where this diverse universe has come. But creativity is
the reverse of that. How to create a multiple existence from
a single thing? A single mind is creating a new world with a
new dream every day. When we go into the deep sleep every
day, that day you create a new dream, new swapna prapancha what a fantastic creative dimension? So creativity is from
single entity to multiple entities.
The manifestation of this intelligence and creativity are found
in the left and the right lobes of our brain. Left brain’s function is intelligence. This is also called as discrimination Power.
Creativity is the function of the right brain. Though there is
no exact fixed functions of the right and the left brains, they
although are little overlapping one another, predominantly we
can say that the right brain is creativity and the left brain is
intelligence. A person who is very intelligent, need not be very
creative, a person who is very creative need not be very intelligent. Fine arts, Music, Dance, Drama, Painting, Sculpture,
aesthetic they all belong to the category of creativity. The right



brain activity, intuition is yet another dimension of that creativity, whereas the left brain essentially is a logical brain. But
as we go higher and higher, a person may be growing higher in
his quest for arts, dance, drama, music and so on is creative
manifestation. Similarly, on this side a Scientist will start
growing deeper and deeper. His power of intelligence becomes
more and more sharp. then we start developing the creative
dimension. Ultimately both the things come to the same logic
in the Vijnanamaya Kosa. So creativity is the power within us
to manifest that which is in the seed form. From the potential
to the manifest. Swami Vivekananda said the goal of life is to
manifest that divinity, the divinity which is hidden within us
has to be manifested. So how can this happen? The mind
has to be calmed down to go into the single thought. So from
that single thought emerges the whole gamut of this multiple (thousands and millions) of thoughts. What is that inner
state of oneness that creates everything? That is what our
Scriptures, our Yoga Shastras tell us emphatically that we all
possess that immense potential inside us called Anandamaya
Kosa. But it is in the potential form. Its manifestation comes
outside in the form of dreams, in the form of multiplicity, in
the form of the thoughts in different directions. Now the question is how to fathom that creativity and what are the Indian
contributions for the development of that creativity? So Patanjali is the person who codified, collected and summarized
and edited all those techniques that were available earlier to
him. And he, in fact, talks about the calming of the mind,
the silencing of the mind much more than any one does. The
process of meditation is to calm down the mind, to silence the
mind and to see that the whole thing starts manifesting. So



calming of mind is the key essence to tap the subconscious.
That which is deep within us has to be brought to the surface
for manifestation. That is what a creative mind does. Invariably the creativity starts blossoming up when you face challenges. When there are many challenges, then your creativity
will blossom more and more. So creativity is a very interesting phenomena. It searches for newer and newer routes. It
starts manifesting newer solutions and thereby it starts growing. Creativity not only gives the techniques as to how we
can develop this creativity but also gives techniques to develop
total focusing called Dharana. In Dharana you take a single
object, a single subject, a single picture then put the mind on
to that single thought, single picture and that is the one that
calms down the mind, takes us to deeper realms and there
you start developing a new dimension. For a long time, people did not understand what is deep down in the ocean. They
thought it to be a large bulk of water. But as we learn to go
deep into the ocean, we started fascinated about underwater
world. It is more fascinating than the world around us. There
are exhibitions after exhibitions of this. Exhibitions to show
the fantastic features of the underwater world came up. In
the same way when you calm down the mind, when you silence the mind, you will be able to manifest from that silence
all that was hidden. Just like in a seed we have the whole
plant, the flowers and the fruits. When we are able to silence
the mind and be in that silence, creativity blossoms. There is
a wonderful manifestation of creativity. So creativity has got
the multiple thoughts. All those multiple thoughts are connected to bring out a harmony, aesthetics, love and affection
wonderfully by harmonious combination of all those multiple



thoughts. Therefore both the dimensions are necessary. One
side the logical development, discriminating power, thinking
power, that are enhanced by the education system we have,
on the other side we use that creativity to creatively manifest,
to creatively create things, that will be most useful to us and
creatively offer solutions to the problems that affect the society. Therefore creativity development is very very important
and extremely useful.



CREATIVITY DEVELOPMENT
YOGIC APPROACH
We bring the Creativity in our education system among our
students. So we have now a day’s very simple techniques to
invoke the creativity. Here are some simple questions.
Show 5 and 1 is equivalent to 4
One of the student came and wrote like this. I V.
Show 2 and 1 is equivalent to 21.
Another girl came and told, look at this sir, this is 2 , this is
1 = 21
The teacher asked students, look here, I have a wooden stick.
Can you demonstrate various uses of this stick? One boy
came trembling pretending to be beaten with a stick. Another
boy used it as a flute. One boy used it as a pen. These are
the creativity games that we use. This is played with a simple
stick that we use with
lot of creativity to bring
about various dimensions.
We tell children: Look
at this figure. A short
line by the side of a long
line. Now the teacher



asks the student can you make this short line as longer and
this long line a shorter. But you should not just rub it off. It
should remain as it is. Without mutilating this you should
make it short. Then one of the boys came, OK sir, I am going to
show you and he just drew a very short line by the side of the
short line which made it look longer and one more very long
line by the side of the long line which made it look shorter.
Creativity is finding your ways of creation.
There was a king and he wanted to know his horoscope. Many
Astrologers came and everybody
looked at it. ‘O’ King, your horoscope is horrible. In front of
you, your wife, your father, your
mother, even your son are going to die. What a horrible horoscope you have? The king got very angry. He put him behind
the bar. One, two, three, four, five, six Astrologers all were
behind the bar. Now nobody dared to go to the King. But an
Astrologer from a neighboring city came. All people cautioned
and said be careful, you will be behind the bar soon. Then
the Astrologer asked, what was the matter? As they told, he
said OK. Don’t worry. He went to the King boldly and the
king welcomed him. O king I am a great astrologer and I came
from a far off place to predict your horoscope. Then the king
presented his horoscope. Looking at that the Astrologer said,
o King, what a fantastic horoscope it is. I have seen so many
hundreds and thousands of horoscopes none had this kind of
wonderful horoscope. You have a very long life ever I had seen.
On hearing this, king was extremely pleased and honored him



highly. What did this astrologer
do? He used his creativity and presented the same truth ( what was
predicted by the previous astrologers ) in a different way. When we
look at things and then when our
mind becomes silent, we get newer
flashes about those things. It is through newer flashes that
you invent. Our education system should develop this creativity dimension. How to develop this? Yoga is a wonderful
way of doing this. In modern technological era, we use brain
storms. Here in our class rooms the teacher is Creative. He
should pick the brains of the students. He should allow them
to relax, he should make them calm down and then he should
be able to pose such simple things, such puzzles by which the
creativity will blossom. In our experiments we have tried to examine the development of creativity in children. There are ten
days personality development camps normally in April. April
1st to 10th, 11th to 20th, 21st to 30th. Ten days programme.
Before and also after the Creativity development programme
we measure creativity. A number of Yogic Games for Creativity and different asanas and the whole Integrated Yoga Module
that we are going to present in the practical session are all
taught to these children and we measure creativity later. Various forms of creativity will be measured. We find wonderful
results. Enhancement of the creativity takes place. We have
been able to document these results showing that there could
be as much as 60% of increase in creativity just within ten days.
The IQ can develop 14%, 15% in just ten days. Three cardinal
principles of Yoga, relaxation of the muscles, slowing down



of breathe, calming down of the mind can all bring wonderful
blossoming of the creativity. This is because we are basically
Anandamaya Kosa, a state of total silence, a state where the
Chitta Vritti Nirodhah had happened. From this silence the
whole creation takes place and from here the whole creativity
blossoms. This is the main difference between the other creativity development programmes and that which is conducted
here in our yoga programmes. Every Integrated Yoga Module
is essentially meant to relax the muscles of the body and slow
down the breathing by different types of pranayamas, cooling
pranayama and others. We use calming of the mind, silencing of the mind by meditation. By so doing, there is going
to be fathoming of that inner silence, touching of that inner
Anandamaya Kosa and there will be blossoming creativity that
comes out. This is the whole approach of yoga which is quite
different from others. They create number of songs, number
of stories, sketches, dramas, games, yogic games and all related to yoga dimensions and the children love them, students
like them so much that they automatically involve themselves
in these things and their creativity blossoms.
Now we have seen that creativity is Nava Nanonmesha Shalini Shaktihi. It is a very special power of our mind which can
think very creatively to find newer and newer things. Whereas
in Intelligence we look at the things and try to find out from
where these things have come and what is
the root cause for them. Whereas in creativity we use some of the principles to see
how best it can be utilized. For example,
electricity was found by modern science and



the technologies have started using electricity for various purposes, the Heating effect, the lighting effect and the magnetic
effect. Today we see all the grandeur of applications of electricity. This is the creativity. How to use that creativity is a
key essence.
There was a King and he had a very wise Minister. The Wise
Minister was such a great strength to the whole country and
they had built almost an ideal social order. The Minister was
getting old. He was very wise. He said, I want to select the
next Minister. Not from my family, no selfishness, he was
absolutely selfless. I want to find best of the person in the
city. Therefore they announced that there will be selection
of Minister and people can apply. People applied. There were
tests and screenings and with all that finally three persons
were selected. The three persons were asked to come after
two days. They will have the final testing to select one. The
first two people were very practical people who found out what
would be the test.
The test will be that each one of them will be sent into a different room and the doors will be closed. Each door will have a
number lock. Immediately the two practical people got into action. They started studying about all types of locks and keys
and how to open the number locks? How to open that exact
number by which they can open the door? They burnt the mid
night oil to get all the information. They wrote down all the
formulae, the calculations done, the simultaneous equations
solved. They prepared themselves wonderfully. Whereas the
third man, he said, I am not going to do any preparations. He



thought If had the capacity he would win. He calmed down
his mind.
At 9 ‘O’ clock and the
three of them came and
exactly what they got information was true. All
the three people were lead
into seperate rooms and
the doors were locked and
inside they saw a beautiful number lock and the two practical people were very happy. Each one of the practical people
started working faster and faster. The third man who was there
just sat in silence, calmed down his mind, looked at the door
very closely. Looked at the wonderful number lock and observed carefully. He slightly pulled the door, opened the door
and came out. The Minister then announced that the third
man is selected. The other two people got very angry. What
nonsense? The Minister is so selfish. How can he choose
the third person? Then the Minister said, please open your
doors and come out. Those two people said, how could they
come out when the number locks have not been solved. How
other fellow opened the lock? The Minister just pushed in
the doors and doors were opened. They felt so ashamed. They
missed a simple and most important solution to the problem.
Normally in our anxiety and stress we ignore and miss the
simplest facets of life. Here comes the importance of creativity. The creativity is a manifestation of something very simple.
That is the state of inner mind, which is full of inner creativity. Therefore the development of creativity is a very important



factor. In the methodology of yoga it is essential to take the mind to its source. This
is the source from where the thoughts arise,
intelligence arises and all the aspects of the
Antahkarana blossoms. It is Anandamaya
Kosa. It is that vast field of silence. Manah
Prashamana Upayaha Yogaha. Yoga is defined as a process by which you calm down
the mind, silence the mind, tranquil the mind and take the
mind to the deep silence and there we have all the creativity
which can blossom up. Therefore in contrast to many other
techniques which are being used in the Western approach, in
Yogic approach we work with the mind. We directly handle the
mind to calm down to go to silence and bring out the wonderful creativity. This silencing often happens when there is a
Vishya Vishayi Sambhoga, when the senses come in touch
with their sense objects. The famous example of Archimedes,
he was given the toughest of the problems of the times. He was
to find out whether there is adulteration of gold and the King
said you are given 15 days time and you have to find out this
without cutting or mutilating this jewelry. Biggest of the challenge of the time was given to the biggest of the Scientist of the
time. Archimedes started thinking. Well, if I had the chance
to cut, open, measure and weigh, then I could easily make out
how much gold is adulterated. But that was not the case. He
had to think of newer ideas, he was having just two days left.
If he was unable to find the solution, the Capital Punishment
would be given. He had that inner anxiety, the rush and inner
zeal to find the answer. With that intense zeal to find the answer, he entered into the bath tub. Then a miracle occurred.



What happened? He jumped up with Eureka. I found out,
I found out. What happened? People don’t understand the
mechanism. It is the Upanishads, it is the Yoga Lore that explain us how this happened? How did he get the new thought?
How did he get that new solution? How did he get that wonderful creative power? When he entered into that bath tub, the
wonderful sense, Sparsha, came in touch with the soft warm
water and Vishaya Vishayi Sambhoga occurred. The Vishaya
is the lukewarm water, the fine hot water and the Vishayi is
the sense. When two things come together some miracle occurs within us. That is the mind that goes into the deepest of
the silence and from that silence emerges a new light. That is
the secret of developing creativity in the Yoga way.
Therefore, if you want to develop creativity, use calming of the
mind, silencing of the mind. That is the core essence for the
development of creativity. In Integrated Yoga Module, we use
all different techniques to calm down the mind, to silence the
mind, to tranquil the mind and take the mind to the deeper
layers of silence, Anandamaya Kosa. It is the state of immense
bliss, immense joy. What a joy and bliss Archimedes got when
he said Eureka. Let’s all, go to that state of Eureka, the state of
deep silence, deep state of wonderful fullness, Poornatva.



LAYERS OF SILENCE
AND THE SIDDHIS
In this Chapter we are going to deal with, the powers of Creativity. What is creativity in contrast to intelligence? Our
Yoga and Spiritual Lore takes us to great heights of not only
development of creativity but to the creation itself.
In Taittiriya Upanishad Bhrugu, the young student being
guided by the great Seer Varuna, unravels the mysteries in
this creation. The source from where all creation has come.
In the first step, the teacher guides the student please go and
find out from where you are born and what is that which sustains you and into which you go back?
Yato va yimani bhutani jaYente Yena jaataani jeevanti
That is what is called as Brahman. Please go, find out. The
student went. Bhrugu, the young lad with all the zeal and
vitality and the commitment and dedication started thinking
what is it that I am made out of? What is it that sustains me
and into which I go back when I die? Just a day or two he
found the answer. I got it, I got it. He jumped with joy and
starts running to his teacher to give an answer. haa….uu…
haa….uu… haa….uu… ahamannam, ahamannam, ahamannam. I am nothing but Anna, I am nothing but the matter
principle. What am I made out of? All matter, atoms, mol-



ecules and what is it that sustains me? The food I take. Into
which I go back after the death? I go back into the atoms and
the molecules. So he was very clear in his mind. He went to
the Guru and said that he has found the answer.
Annam brahmeti vyajanat ………….
The teacher patted him on the back, wonderful! You have
begun the journey and don’t think that you have reached the
end. Go and investigate further. Tapasa Brahma .. Sent back
to investigate further. Bhrugu comes back, starts thinking
Oh, I thought atoms and molecules and Anna are the final, the
Brahman. Now my teacher said tha I have to go further. What
is it? After few days he understands the difference between a
dead body and a living body. All matter is common in both.
There is something special. Prano Brahmeti vyajanat and
again with all the joy he jumps back to his teacher. There the
teacher sends him back saying to go further. Tapasa …. This
time the student comes back and he starts thinking what is
it Beyond the Prana? Suppose one gets hit on the head and
he falls unconscious, he goes into Coma. Though Prana is still
there, something is missing that he is not conscious. What is
this something missing? The body is there, breathing going
on, but he is totally unconscious. That is the Mind which is
missing. Mano Brahmeti vyajanat…….. again the story repeats. The teacher is his father, Varuna sends him back to
go beyond the Manas. Bhrugu this time thinking deeper, tries
to understand the whole mechanism of the mind and understands that mind can go mad and can become a Neurotic and
Psychotic. What is that that is missing there? It is the con-



troller of the mind Vijnana. Vijnanam Brahmeti vyajanat…….
And it is the Buddhi, it is the Intelligence, it is the knowledge
and this time the student was very confident that I have found
the answer and the right answer as the modern scientists find.
But the teacher says no. You have to go one step further.
Find the source from where all intelligence emerges, all Vijnana comes. This time Bhrugu goes, into deep meditation.
He starts finding out the root from where the thoughts come.
Every thought comes up and subsides before the next thought
comes. There is a silence and again the thought comes and
goes back. This continues. He started fathoming the gap between thoughts. A gap, a thought. What is that gap? Silence.
Soon he found that the silence is all pervasive. It is in the
background of this silence that the thoughts come and go. He
is goes deeper and deeper over days and weeks. Months have
rolled. The mind has became calm and tranquil. His mind
was all the time in inner silence. the thoughts are coming and
going back. At last miracle happened in which there was an
explosion inside. That explosion of quantum jump of the mind
took him into the ecstatic state, the Anandamaya Samadhi. He
understands that it is all the field of silence called as Ananda.
Bliss is silence, Silence is bliss. He understood and it is from
this silence, the whole thing emerges.
Anandadhyeva khalvimani bhutani jayante……… ananadam
He got established in that silence in that wonderful state of
Ananda. Therefore, all creations starts from that Anandamaya Kosa, from the state of silence. If one can start taking his
mind to the deeper levels of silence and get into that phase



of Samadhi, then he
starts getting the higher dimensions of perception called Extra
Sensory Perception. All
his senses start blossoming into the higher
level of perception and
this is the famous ESP.
This is called precognition, the telepathy. Understanding the mind of other person
and mind to mind interaction all these start coming up. The
perception becomes so sharp, so intelligent. Silencing of the
mind, calming of the mind is the key essence for ESP. Lot of
work and research has taken place round the world, but people have not been able to understand this secret of developing
ESP. This is told by Patanjali in the third chapter Vibhutipada.
He says there will be an internal transformation. The mind
transforms itself and goes into Samadhi. From one Samadhi
to another Samadhi it jumps up getting greater powers of Extra Sensory Perception. So from the silencing of the mind
emerges the higher powers of the mind. That expansion of
silence through Samadhi brings in higher levels of perception
called Extra Sensory Perception. This is a perception in which
one can go deep inside to understand the mind of another and
interact with others. Precognition of events is another special
power to see prior to the happening of the event which latter
becomes a reality. All that power starts coming up. In Patanjali Yoga Sutra in the Vibhutipada it is said that, there is a
methodology for this transformation. It is through the Parina-



mas and entering into higher states of Samadhi one gets this
Extra Sensory Perception.
The most important thing is that all these powers should be
used for the good of the society and not to aggrandize, to cut
others, beat others, terrorize others and deteriorate ourselves
to enslave ourselves. That is the direction given by Patanjali.
and don’t get lured and attracted by this Extra Sensory Perception and the Siddhis. On the other hand use all the powers
for the good of the society to bring healing powers to others,
healing others to bring positive health. So let us develop these
powers to do good to the society, to develop health, harmony,
love and peace for the society.



HOW TO USE THE SIDDHIS?
In the last Chapter, we saw how a student goes deeper understanding the higher dimensions of creation. He reached the
source, the causal State from where the whole creation takes
place. This is called Ishwara. The power of creation is called
Ishwara Shakti. When it gets manifest, it is called Brahm.
The Chaturmukha Brahma is the symbolism for the creation
that takes place. How did that happen? Satapo Tapyata
………… that’s how the Upanishads describes. Through the
Tapas he wished this entire creation and the creation started
coming up. So what is that secret of Tapas? This is beautifully brought out in Patanjali Yoga Sutra, in our Yoga and
Spiritual Lore. Tapas is a process by which one goes into deep
silent state of mind. There are different types of Tapas. There
is Kaasta Tapas, there is the Gross Tapas, the Tapas in which
you stand in a river with one leg like the Parushurama did to
get the greatest power. Then there is a Tapas to see that the
mind is focused on your God from whom you want to get the
boon. All the Raakshasas and many others used to have this
intense Tapas sitting continuously and calling for Brahma to
give them the boons. The highest form of Tapas is for self development for reaching that ultimate state of ultimate reality
and that is Moksha with the total understanding that this is
our source from where we all have come and that is the Satvik
Tapas. So when Brahma does Tapas, it is for the manifestation
of this cosmic order to be brought into life as ordained by the
ultimate reality and he sits and does the Tapas to create the


world at large. When Brahma is doing that, he is creating the
whole world. When a Bhakta comes and intensely does Tapas
to get a boon, what happens to Brahma? How does he give
this boon? He invokes the power of creation and then gives.
That is Ishwara Shakti. That is the power of the Ishwara. The
power of the Lord. The power of the God, the Supreme and
this is how the world is created. Then world has to be sustained. That is the work of Vishnu. World will get destroyed
going back to the Pralaya. That is the work of Shiva. Shiva
represents Pralaya. So Sristi, Stithi, Laya forms the set of laws
and what is the connection between these ultimate realities,
the Trimurtis, the Trinities and human beings as we are. The
connection is unraveled by the yogic secrets. When you start
taking the mind to deeper levels, calming down of the mind,
taking them to the different Samadhis, then there is an explosion inside. In the last chapter we saw how Extra Sensory Perception starts coming up. Patanjali says start going further to
deeper levels through the transformation process called the
Parinamas. Ekagrata Parinama, Nirodhapari Parinama, Samadhi parinama taking a person from one level of Samadhi to
the next. There are eight different types of Samadhi. Vitarka
anugata Samprajnata samadhi, Vitarka anugata aSamprajnata Samadhi, Vichara anugata Samprajnata samadhi, Vichara
anugata asamprajnata Samadhi, Ananda anugata Samprajnata samadhi, Ananda anugata aSamprajnata samadhi, Asmita anugata Samprajnata Samadhi, Asmita anugata asamprajnata samadhi all these come under the broad heading of
Sabeeja Samadhi in which there is a beeja still and therefore
further purification is required. All the samskaras and karmas are not burnt totally. But only when you burn up all



the sabeeja then you go into the Nirbeeja Samadhi and Dharmamegha Samadhi which is the ultimate called the Kaivalya
by Patanjali. But what is very significant and interesting and
more fascinating for many people is that different types of Siddhis are associated with the different levels of Samadhi and in
the highest type of Samadhi which is almost the Asmitanugata
asamprjnata, in that region a person gets all the Ashta Siddhis
such as Anima, Mahima, Garima, Prakamya, Prapti etc and
when the person is so purified, when his mind fathems the
totality, how do he use this power?
The great example of Hanuman having all this power of Anima and the Mahima and what not and used all these to fulfil
the mission of Sri Rama to establish Dharma in the society
and that is the direction being given to us. So there are people who have precognition. Some people who have got the
power of Psycho kinesis, some people develop some powers
automatically and normally they get lured and they get lost,
they get enslaved with these and they deteriorate the society,
cause harm to the society. Instead if these people are given an
understanding right from the beginning the right thing to do,
to use all the power for building the social harmony and love
and the affection, then they are in the right direction. That
is called establishing the Dharma to build ideal social orders
in the country, using the powers. That is what our great Maharshis used is to do in our ancient times. They were using all
these powers ( which they were developing consciously) for the
good of the society. They had that clear vision as to what and
how they have to use these Siddhis or the powers. They were
using all the eight Siddhis for the greatness and development



of the society. That is the wonderful message that we get from
the epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
Therefore when we start developing our power of creativity,
we do it by silencing of the mind, calming of the mind, going
to the causal state from where the whole creation comes up.
If we are so purified, then we can start raising higher to the
levels of Samadhi and explosion and expanding inside. When
we go to the higher levels, there could be higher possibilities of
getting different siddhis and it is then the real test comes. The
biggest of the attraction of the Siddhis can lure and take us
down, enslave us back into clutches of the sensual attraction.
It is then we have to use our power of discrimination, power of
intelligence, the power of logic and higher wisdom to see that
we elevate further and use all these powers for doing good to
the people around. That is the message that we get in our
Shastras to work for the society. Renunciation and Service
should be the twin ideals and use all these powers for reconstructing of this land, the land of greatest of wisdom. Let us all
move in that direction towards yoga way of life. Yoga way of
life is featured by love, harmony, peace, sacrifice and service.
The great master Swami Vivekananda has given us this message. Let us march ahead arise; awake, stop not till the goal is
reached is the Clarian Call that he gave and let us all move in
that direction.



SITHILÉKARANA VYAYAMA
• Alternate Leg Rising in Standing
• Padasancalana
• Tiger Stretch (Prabheda)
• Baby Walk
• Makarasana Cycling
• Clap Jumping
YOGÄSANAS
• Veerasana
• Ardha chandrasana
• YogaMudra
• Karnapidasana
• Dhanurasana
• Cakrasana

BREATHING PRACTICES
• Sectional breathing - Abdominal
• Sectional breathing – (Thoracic)
• Sectional breathing – (Clavicular)
• Sectional breathing – (Full Yogic breathing
Präëäyäma
• Nädi Suddhi
• Sitali
• Çitkari


KRIYAS
Agnisära
Bandhas and Mudräs
• Cin Mudra
• Cinmaya Mudra
• Adi mudra
• Brmha mudra
Meditation
(On inner fullness)



YOGA PRACTICE FOR
SITHILIKARANA VYAYAMA

1. ALTERNATIVE LEG RAISING IN STANDING:
Sthiti: Tadasana
Stand in Tadasana.

PRACTICE:
Stretch both hands forward with palms downwards. Inhaling
raise the right leg up ( with knee straight ) to touch the right
palm ( if possible ). Repeat on left side. Repeat 10 times.
Relax in Tadasana.

2. PÁDA SANCALANA
Sthiti: Tádásana
Stage-I (Forward-backward movement)
PRACTICE
• Bring the right leg upwards and forwards and at the same


•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

time stretch the foot forward. Bring the leg back to center.
Then move the leg backwards, now stretching the foot backward. Bring it back to center.
Raise the right leg sideways to the right as much as you
can.
Return it to the center and then move it towards left.
Repeat in the same way with the
left leg.
This is one round.
Repeat 10 times.
Slowly increase the speed after 3
rounds.
Increasing and decreasing the
speed brings greater voluntary control and that helps in increasing the creativity.

3. TIGER STRETCH (Prabheda)
Sthiti : Dandasana
PRACTICE:
• Fold the roght leg and sit on the heel.
• Fold the left leg and sit on both the heels in Vajrasana.
• Measure one arm distance between the knees, separate the
knees..
• Measure one arm distance Farward from the knees and
place the palms there.
• Inhale through the nose while raising the head and depressing the spine so that the back becomes concave. Simultaneously straighten the right leg and raise up from the root



of the thigh. While exhaling
bend the leg at the knee,
simultaneously making the
spine convex and bringing
the head down.
• This is one round. Repeat
10 rounds.
• Relax in shashankasana.
NOTE:
• Stand firm on the palms and the knees so that they remain
vertical to the ground all through.
• The final position here, is the same as in case of tiger breathing. Before starting the practice ensure that you are quite
comfortable while standing on All-Fours (i.e., two hands
and two knees). Accordingly some adjustment to the palms,
knees or feet can be made.
• Co-ordinate the breathing with the movements properly
• Keep the eyes closed and do the practice with awareness.
• Don’t bend the arms or move the thighs forward and backward.



BABY WALK:
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Fold the right leg and sit on the
right heel.
• Fold the left leg and sit on the
left heel. Sit in Vajrasana.
• Place the palms on either side
of the knees.
• Stretch the right leg back fully
take the support of the hands
to balance and look back over the right shoulder.
• Feel the stretch at the back.
• Bring the right leg back coming into Vajrasana with palms
on the sides of the knees.
• Simulteneously stretch the left leg back fully take the support of the hands to balance and look back over the left
shoulder.
• This is one round. Repeat 10 rounds.

MAKARÁSANA CYCLING
Sthiti: Prone
PRACTICE
• Widen the feet, heels inwards touching the ground,
toes out wards.
• Bending the right hand,



place the right palm on the
left shoulder. Keep the left
palm on the right shoulder,
the chin on the hands such
that the chin is supported at
the point where the two arms cross.
• Bend the legs and start rotating clockwise and anticlockwise direction.
• Repeat 10 times.
• Relax in makarasana.
Note
The forehead can also be rested instead of chin.

ASANAS

Virasana
Sthiti: Dandasana
Vira means a hero, warrior, champion. This sitting posture is done by
keeping the knees together, spreading the feet and resting them by the
side of the hips. The pose is good
for meditation and pranayama.
PRACTICE
• Fold the right leg at the knee and sit on the right heel.
• Fold the left leg at the knee and sit on both the heels.Keep
the knees together and spread the feet about 18 inches
apart.



• Rest the buttocks on the floor, but not the body on the feet.
The feet are kept by the side of the thighs, the inner side
of each calf touching the outer side of its respective thigh.
Keep the toes pointing back and touching the floor. Now
interlock the fingers and stretch the arm straight over the
head, palms up. Feel the stretch.
• Stay in this position for a minute with deep breathing.
• Exhale, release the finger lock, place the palms on the soles,
bend forward and rest the chin on the knees.
• Stay in this position for a minute with normal breathing.
• Inhale, raise the trunk up, bring the feet forward and relax.
• If you find it difficult to perform the pose as described above,
try placing the feet one above the other and rest the buttocks on them. Gradually move the toes further apart, separate the feet and bring them to rest outside the thighs. Then,
in time the buttocks will rest properly on the floor and the
body will not rest on the feet.
Effects
The pose cures rheumatic pains in the knees and gout, and is
also good for flat feet. Due to the stretching of the ankles and
the feet, proper arches will be formed. This, however, takes a
long time and requires daily practice of the pose for a few minutes for several months. Those suffering from pain in the heels
or growth of calcaneal spurs there will get relief and the spurs
will gradually disappear.
The pose can even be done immediately after food and will
relieve heaviness in the stomach.



Ardha Chandrasana
Sthiti: Tadasana
Ardha means half. Chandra is the moon. The pose resembles
the half moon, hence the name.
PRACTICE
• Stand in Tadasana and then
do utthita Trikonasana, following the technique described earlier.
• After attaining Trikonasana
on the right side, exhale and
place the right palm about a
foot away from the right foot by bending the right knee and
at the same time bringing the left foot near the right one.
• Wait in this position and take two breaths. Then exhale and
raise the left leg from the floor, toes pointing up. Stretch the
right hand and the right leg.
• Place the left palm over the left hip and stretch up, keeping
the shoulders well up. Turn the chest to the left and balance.
• The weight of the body is borne on the right foot and hip.
The right hand is only a support to control the balance.
• Hold the pose from 20 to 30 seconds, breathing deeply and
evenly. Then slide the left leg to the floor and go back to
Trikonasana.
• Repeat the pose on the left side.
Effects
The posture is beneficial for those whose legs are damaged or



infected. It tones the lower region of the spine and the nerves
connected with the leg muscles and it strengthens the knees.
Along with other standing postures, this asana cures gastric
troubles.

YOGA MUDRA
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Place the right foot on the
left thigh, left foot on the
right thigh. Come into Padmasana. Take the hands
behind the back, make a
fist of the right hand and
hold the right wrist with the left palm.
• Relax the shoulders.
• While inhaling bend backwards from the waist opening up
the chest.
• While exhaling slowly bend forward from the waist bringing
the forehead on to the ground in front of the knees. Collapse
the shoulders.
• Maintain with normal breathing.
• Come back through the same steps.

Karnapidasana
Karna means the ear. Pida means pain, discomfort or pressure. This is a variant of Halasana and can be done along with
it.


Sthiti: Supine sthiti
PRACTICE:
• Inhaling raise both the
legs to 45 Degrees.
• Further inhaling raise
the legs to 90 Degrees.
• While exhaling raise
the back and bring it to
vertical position. Legs
will come to parallel to
ground.
• Further exhalation bring
the legs down so that the
toes touch the ground.
Flex the knees and rest
the right knee by the side of the right ear and the left knee
by the side of the left. Both knees should rest on the floor,
pressing the ears.
• Keep the toes stretched out and join the heels and toes. Rest
the hands either on the back of the ribs or interlock the fingers and stretch out the arms as in Halasana.
• Remain in this position for half a minute or a minute with
normal breathing.
Effects
This asana rests the trunk, heart and legs. The spine is
stretched more while bending the knees, and this helps the
circulation of blood round waistline.



DHANURÁSANA
Sthiti: Prone Posture
PRACTICE
• Bend the knees and hold the ankles
by the palms.
• As you inhale, raise the head and the.
chest upwards.Pull the legs outwards
and backwards so that the spine is
arched back like a bow.
• Stabilize (rest) on the abdomen.
• Do not bend the elbows.
• Look up.
• Keep the toes together.
• Maintain for about half a
minute with normal breathing.
• Slowly come back to Sthiti while exhaling.
• Relax in Makarásana.
Note
Initially the knees will spread out, but with practice they can
be brought very near, almost touching each other.
Benefits
Useful for diabetes patients. Removes gastro intestinal disorders, stimulates and helps in slimming the whole body. Gives
good stimulation and flexibility to the back.
Limitations



People with general debilaity should be cautious while performing this Asana. Practice after expert consultation.

CAKRÁSANA
Sthiti: Supine Posture
PRACTICE
• Take the hands up and
place the palms on either
side of the head on the
ground under the shoulders with fingers pointing
towards the back.
• Bend the knees and fold the
legs, and place the heels on
the outer side of the buttocks.
• With palms and the soles of the feet as four points of support, raise the trunk off the ground with an inhalation arching the entire body convex upwards to look like a wheel.
• Maintain the position for about half a minute with normal
breathing.
• As you exhale come back slowly step by step to supine sthiti.
Note
Come down with control by placing the back of the head to the
ground,followed by the neck and the back. Do not collapse the
buttocks first.



Benefits
Brings very good flexibility to the spine, stimulates and activates all parts of the body. Strengthens the arms, shoulders
and legs.
Limitations
Only those who are free from any disease can perform this
ásana.

BREATHING PRACTICES
SECTIONAL BREATHING

VIBHÁGIYA SVASANA (SECTIONAL BREATHING)
This is a preparatory breathing practice for Práïáyáma. It corrects the wrong breathing pattern and increases the vital capacity of the lungs. It has three sections:
ABDOMINAL (DIAPHRAGMATIC) BREATHING (ADHAMA)
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Place the hands resting on the thighs in Cin
Mudrá.
• Inhale, (püraka) deeply, slowly and continuously, the abdomen bulges out.
• Before exhaling stop the breath for a few seconds effortlessly.
• Exhale, (recaka) the abdomen is drawn inwards
continuously and slowly.
• Before the breath is reversed, stop the breath


for a second.
• Repeat this breathing cycle five times.
• There should be no jerks in the whole process. It should be
smooth, continuous and relaxing.
Note
• In abdominal breathing the air fills the lower lobes of the
lungs.
• Avoid movement of the chest.

THORACIC (INTERCOSTAL)
BREATHING (MADHYAMA)
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Place the hands resting on the thighs in
Cinmaya Mudrá.
• While inhaling, expand the chest cage forwards, outwards and upwards.
• While exhaling relax the chest wall and
return to resting position.
Note
Avoid movements of abdomen.

UPPER LOBAR (CLAVICULAR)
BREATHING (ÁDYA)



Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Sit in any meditative posture.
• Place the hands resting on thighs in Ádi
Mudrá.
• While inhaling raise the collar bones and
shoulders upwards and backwards.
• While exhaling drop down the shoulders
to the resting position.
Note
• Try and avoid movements of the abdomen and chest.

FULL YOGIC BREATHING
Full yogic breathing is a combination of all
the three sections of sectional breathing.
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Place the hands resting on the abdomen
at the navel in Brahma Mudrá.
• During inhalation, the Adhama, Madhyama and Ádya pránayáma occur sequentially.
• Now
exhale
in
the
same
sequence(abdominal, chest and clavicular).



Note
• The whole process should be relaxing and comfortable, without any tension in the face.
• Roughly gauge the time of your inhalation and exhalation.
Take one third of your inhalation time for adhama ,one third
for madhyama and one third for ádya. Follow the same sequence and timing for exhalation.
• This exercise can be performed - lying down in Savásana or
sitting in a cross-legged position with head, neck and spine
erect.
• All breathings should be performed through the nose and
not through the mouth.
• As you increase the number of rounds of Full Yogic Breathing day after day, you will come to develop this practice as
an automatic and normal function of the body.
Benefits
The purpose of this practice is to make the practitioner aware
of the three different components of respiration (Abdominal,
Thoracic and Clavicular) and incorporate them into Full Yogic
Breathing.
Even 10 minutes of Full Yogic Breathing daily can work wonders.
• You acquire more power and vitality,
• Calmness in daily activities,
• Thinking and clarity of thought improve,
• When you feel tired or angry practice of full yogic breathing



will help in calming down your mind and revitalising it.
Limitations
It has no limitations.

PRANAYAMA

NÁDISUDDHI PRÁNAYÁMA
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Sit in any meditative posture.
• Adopt Násika Mudrá.
• Close the right nostril with
the right thumb and exhale
completely through the (left)
nostril. Then inhale deeply
through the same left nostril.
• Close the left nostril with
your ring and little finger of
the Násiká Mudrá, release
the right nostril. Now exhale
slowly and completely through the right nostril.
• Inhale deeply through the same (right) nostril. Then close
the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril. This is
one round of Nádiùuddhi práïáyáma.
• Repeat nine rounds.



Note
• This practice helps to maintain balance between Nádis.
• If you feel headache, heaviness of the head, giddiness, uneasiness etc. it means you are exerting much pressure on
the lungs.
• The first symptoms of correct practice is the feeling of freshness, energy and lightness of the body and mind.
Benefits
Physical:
It promotes balance between the two nostrils apart from
cleansing the nasal tract. It increases the vitality. Metabolic
rate decreases as in case of all other Práïáyáma practices. It
increases the digestive fire and appetite.
Therapeutic:
It lowers the levels of stress and anxiety by harmonising the
práïas. It is beneficial in respiratory disorders such as Bronchial asthma, Nasal allergy, Bronchitis etc.
Spiritual:
It induces tranquility, clarity of thought and concentration.
It clears pranic blockages and balances Ida and Pingala
nádis,causing Shuúumna nádi to flow which leads to deep
states of meditation and spiritual awakening. It helps to maintain Brahmacharya which is a pre-requisite for spiritual progress.
Limitations: No Limitations.



COOLING PRÁNAYÁMAS
SITALI PRÁNAYÁMA
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Place the palms resting on the thighs.
• Stretch the tongue forward partly out of
the mouth and fold it so as to resemble
the beak of a crow.
• Slowly suck in the air through the beak
and feel the jet of cool air passing down
the throat into the lungs.
• Slowly exhale through the nostrils, feeling the movement of warm air all the way up from the lungs
through the throat and the nasal passages.
• This completes one round of Ùètali Práïáyáma.
• Repeat nine rounds.

SITKÁRI PRÁNAYÁMA
Sthiti: Dandasana
PRACTICE
• Place the palms resting on the thighs.
• Fold the tip of the tongue inwards horizontally. The folded tongue slightly
comes out between the two rows of teeth
and provides a narrow opening on both
sides.
• Slowly suck the air in through the two



•
•
•
•

sides of the tongue.
Feel the cool stream of air diffusing throughout the mouth
and throat into the lungs.
Exhale slowly through both nostrils. Feel the warmth of the
exhaled air.
This completes one round of Sètkári.
Repeat nine rounds.

KRIYAS

AGNISARA
• Stand in Tadasana
• Separate the legs slightly. Bend forward from lower back and place the
palms on the knees. Inhale taking the
head backwards, while exhaling bring
the head forward, after completion of
exhalation adopt Jalandhara bandha.
• Move the abdominal wall in and out
vigorously like a pump as many times
as you can (while holding the breath in
exhalation).
• This movement of the abdominal wall is done through mock
inhalations & exhalations i.e., it seems as if one is inhaling
and exhaling whereas it is not so.
• Then stop the movement of the abdominal wall, release the
bandha and while inhaling come up to Tádásana and relax.
• Repeat a few times.



BENEFITS
• It massages the abdomen, stimulating the associated nerves,
strengthening the muscles and encouraging optimum health
of the abdominal organs.
• It improves blood circulation to the whole trunk area and
strengthens all the internal organs.
• It is a panacea for many abdominal & stomach ailments including constipation, indigestion, and diabetes.
• The digestive fire is stimulated nicely.
• It can also alleviate depression, dullness and lethargy.

BANDHAS AND MUDRAS

CIN MUDRÁ
• Touch the tips of the thumbs with
the tips of the forefingers.
• Keep the other fingers striaght.
• Rest the palms on the middle of
the thighs.

CINMAYA MUDRÁ
• The tips of the forefingers touch
the tips of the thumbs and all other fingers are folded in to the hollow of the palms.
• Rest them on the thighs.

ÁDI MUDRÁ
• Make fists of both hands with the


thumbs tucked in.
• Rest the fists on the thighs.

BRAHMA MUDRÁ
• Make fists of both palms with the
thumb tucked in and place them
on either side of the navel with
the palms facing upwards and the
knuckles touching each other.
Note
• Keep the elbows bent to ensure relaxed arm position in all
the above mudras.

MEDITATION
ON INNER FULLNESS
Meditation is most important. From this silence in meditation
all creativity comes. According to yoga , the Anandamaya Kosa
is the source of all Creativity. Therefore the whole trick to blossom creativity is to blossom that anandamaya kosa. Let each
and every muscle fibre relax nicely. Relax the facial muscles
and bring in a scerene smile on the face. Slowly breath in and
very slowly breath out. Allow mind to calm down. Allow the
breath to get heald. Feel the kevala kumbhaka before you inhale. Inhale slowly and deeply. When breath is about to turn
to exhalation, let it stop for a moment. Enjoy that wonderful
kevala kumbhaka. Allow the breath to slow down. Go into the
silence. Deeper and deeper. Silence is the abode of all creativ-



ity. Sanaih sanaihi uparamet says Bhagavadgita. Slowly and
slowly. Take the mind to vast beautiful expansion. Imagine a
vast ocean. Let the mind tune itself to allpervassiveness. Tune
to the Anantasamapatti. Allow the mind to achieve deeper and
deeper silence.


8 yoga for creativity

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