Is Yoga a way of life or an exercise as publicized?

As majority of humans who are engrossed in their fields and usually blindly believe religious stuff   around,I thought Yoga was some kind of exercise.
It had to be easy since everyone is doing it.I see all these Baba's demonstrating on television or filmstars coming out with videos of yoga.
Anyway I had no time for it (so did I think)  or the right time had to come.
Now I am aware of my ignorance and my miseries lead me to realisation,I am ready to know "What is Yoga?"

Let me tell you I have just made a beginning but so impatient to share with all!just shows I have a long way to go!
We are confusing Yoga with Asana.
For those who are spiritually inclined,Patanjali lists eight steps-

• Yama,niyama deals with moral excellence
• asana,pranayama deals with the physical  
• Pratyahara,dharana deals with mental
• dyana,samadhi deals with spiritual

So even before we reach physical i.e. asanas ,we need to be morally sound.

Yoga is not something which if attained will lead us to Heaven,it teaches us how to cope and live now..here.

Sharing some excerpts from Books and Lectures of Swami Vivekananda.
"Yoga means Union.Yoga is purposeful living.
Following are the unities you gain from yoga 1. First is within yourself 2. Is within the society and 3. By gradually evolving you gain the Ground.
Yoga touches the mainstream of our life,our way of thinking,feeling and functioning.We need Yoga in our day to day living."
Yoga does not take us beyond this life and existence,
It helps us to conduct ourselves properly in day to day life.
It is not for post-mortem bliss or something somewhere in heaven.

Yoga is purposeful living and realising.Knowing the pain but not being miserable.knowing the facts.

Reflect not react!
Oh!with all the past memories in my subconscious and the samskaras ingrained,it's not an easy task.
How do we resolve the subconscious mental contents (Samakaras) ?
Either we have a strong mind or strong will to be absolutely unaffected- Buddha Method or we Surrender completely to the divine like a child runs towards its mother for protection.
There are 3 things necessary for the practice of yoga -
1.Austerity,self control
2.Knowledge, study, ability to think
3.Surrendering to the divine. As Jung said "God is a psychological necessity ".

We are ignorant,lost,helpless and confused; And then there is nobody to blame -no society,no parents or environment.For we are humans and have a chance to correct our ignorance.
It is never too late ,No case is hopeless "

An introduction on Yoga from Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Volume VI  is worth a read.

And really do not get caught in so called Power Yoga,popularised by the west.
I personally believe,we Indians should claim the right on the use of the word Yoga in the right sense.
It is the duty of each one of us to stand for our precious teachings and culture.

Dare to be Deaf!

Vertigo in Children

Vertigo in children is uncommon.The attacks of vertigo in children may be less dramatic than adults,however they cause severe anxiety if a diagnosis is not reached and appropriately explained.

The clinical diagnosis involves accurate history which many adults are not capable of giving.The reason I say so is that the terms "Vertigo" "Dizziness""Giddiness" and "Imbalance" are very commonly used without proper understanding by adult patients,let alone poor child!
When a child presents with vertigo, we also need to keep in mind their distractibility,coordination capabilities and behavioral problems.Also the compliance in pediatric population to perform otoneurological examinations is limited

Let us go through various terms commonly used by patients or parents.
Dizziness can be used to explain different sensations like lightheadedness, Fainting or Syncope, Giddiness (when engaging in activities like spinning) or Vertigo.

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning (either we feel spinning or the surrounding is spinning).It can be associated with nausea,jerky eye movements,headache,sweating and ringing in the ears or hearing loss.

Vertigo is an uncommon complaint in children and adolescents.Despite the most significant technological achievements in the development of diagnostic tools like scans and audiology, diagnosis is still based mainly upon the patient’s history and physical examination.There could be history of migraine or vertigo in the family.

The child's pediatrician may refer to Pediatric ENT for further otologic and audiologic evaluation.If required, the child may be seen by neurologist for evaluation.

There have been various scientific studies about the etiologies or causes of vertigo in children.The common causes of vertigo or the differential diagnosis includes Migraine associated vertigo or variants,Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo, Otitis Media and rarely other inner ear pathologies.

It is worth mentioning about "Motion Sickness" here.
It is a clinical phenomenon provoked by passive locomotion or movement of the visual environment only.It consists of pallor,tiredness,weakness,hypersalivation,nausea and emesis.

Diagnosis should be followed by adequate symptomatic treatment and management of underlying etiologies.The success of treatment of vertigo lies in regular follow up.