Tulsi and Yoga -A Spiritual Connection

 "Be like a tree.Stay grounded ,Connect with your roots,Turn over a new leaf.Bend before your break.Enjoy your unique natural beauty.Keep growing".

A powerful quote read by everyone.This is one amongst my favourite quote.
So when i say something about a tree i remembered the most powerful medicinal plant Tulsi. I can say Tulsi is an aromatic shrub in the basil family Lamiaceae (tribe ocimeae) that is thought to have originated in north central India and now grows native throughout the eastern world tropics.It has a great healing power.The Basil or Tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves strengthen the stomach and help in curing respiratory diseases. Even healthy persons can chew 8 to 12 leaves of basil twice a day to prevent stress and anxiety.It purifies blood and helps prevent several common  ailments.Of the three types of tulsi, Krishna tulsi is often considered to be the most beneficial to health, followed closely by Rama tulsi. Vana tulsi has less potency, but it is sometimes blended with other types of tulsi for a more pleasing flavor.

Taking Tulsi(Holi Basil) tea on a daily basis has a calming effect and helps reduce stress. According to Ayurveda,Tulsi helps reduce asthmatic symptoms due to its Kapha-balancing property.Chewing few leaves of Tulsi along with honey helps relieve cough and flu as it improves immune health. 

I have planted a lots of tulsi leaves in my garden.These medicinal properties are just amazing.Which is the best day to plant Holy Basil ?Here is the answer:According to religious belief, the plant of Tulsi should be planted on Thursday and it is considered best to plant it in Kartik month.If you have not planted on those days just no worries .Its all about our religious belief  which is considered as the best and what i personally felt was if our mind is pure enough with no negativity we can plant it on other days by chanting any mantra.Dont forget to pour water on a daily basis.Tulsi requires water and sunlight every single day.

Studies have shown that drinking Tulsi water regularly can act as an antidote for stress-related disorders and improve brain function. This is because Tulsi helps counter metabolic stress levels in the body, normalizes external contributors like blood glucose and pressure which contribute to stress.This one Tulsi plant has been proven to not only kill cancer, but prevents it and even protects the body from dangerous cancer treatment thus making it a natural cancer treatment.Tulsi cures mouth ulcers.An excellent antibiotic, germicidal, fungicidal and disinfectant and very efficiently protects our body from almost all sorts of bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Tulsi or Basil is a sacred plant in Hindu tradition, worshipped in traditional Hindu households in the front courtyard, and in modern day apartments people plant in a corner of the balcony .It is mandatory for married women in Hindu households to offer prayers to the Tulsi Goddess for the well-being of their families. The ritual involves worshipping the plant and offering water to it.Hence Tulsi has its importance in Rituals.

Tulsi leaves act as an anti-stress agent. Studies have shown that the leaves provide significant protection against stress. A healthy person can have 8 to  12 leaves of tulsi leaves twice a day to prevent stress.Tulsi leaves has the ability to control blood glucose and operate as a natural remedy for diabetes. In addition to managing diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels. It also lowers the dangerous elevated cortisol levels. Supplementing with Tulsi leaves has been found to reduce anxiety and emotional stress.Tulsi has many significant anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties that protect against pain, fever,cough, stress and protect vital organs like the liver.It’s essential oils can cure headaches caused due to migraine, sinus, cold and cough etc.

How Tulsi relates to Yoga ?

Well most of the people take up Yoga training for its physical benefits, but the practice of Yoga can benefit us in Spiritual Way too.When we practice Yoga we need to feel from within and then you need to connect it with asanas and breathing techniques.If you have tried Yoga in this way you will definiteiy understand how Yoga could be soothing and healing from within.Its connecting our body,mind and soul.We need to trust our innerself and then the practice.Each form has its own significance and benefits in improving a person's physical and mental well being. One of the goals of Yoga is to attain self-discipline and self-awareness.To practice Yoga firstly you need more patience.Stay humble and start your practice.In the Patanjali Yogasutra, Self-discipline is known as 'Tapas'. It is the willingness to do the work and the desire to learn.

Yoga emphasizes the importance of regular meditation because of the way that it helps a person to keep their thoughts positive.Yoga is connected to Spirituality too other than wellness and fitness.Yoga is not just meant for fitness.It has got beautiful limbs.The eight limbs of Yoga:

 Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), Asana (yoga postures), Pranayama (breath control) , Pratyahara  (withdrawal of the senses),Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption)."Patanjali set out his definition of Yoga in the Yoga Sutras as having eight limbs called Ashtanga.

Yoga is very pure.I was talking about the healing plant Tulsi.Positivity always merges with the positive stuff.Here i go with Tulsi and yoga.Tulsi is made into small beads as a part of Mala and this mala can be used in yoga because it holds and concentrates energy, and also tranquilises the mind while rotating it on fingers during meditation.So you can meditate with the powerful Tulsi mala.Tulsi is regarded as best for worshipping lord Vishnu, Ram, and Krishna. According to Ayurveda, it is very useful in curing throat disease.It is also used for the purification of the body. It gives peace of mind and reduces stress.It is believed that the use of Tulsi beads, purify the mind, body as well as the soul of a person.It radiates positive vibes in the aura of a person and helps him get rid of all forms of negative energy. 

"Yoga and Tulsi has got its own importance and spirituality.These are irreplaceable".

"Create a life that feels good on the inside not just one that looks good on the outside".

From my heart and soul

Baliga Shilpa Pai