[muhn-dl-uh]
Refers to a region, an area within the body or the cosmos. Also represents consecrated space and is thought to be the body of one’s chosen deity. The mandala is used to worship that deity and, through complex visualization practices, to become one with it. Also Refers to the physiognomic cycle, a time period of forty days, the natural period of many physiological processes in the body.
▵ Mandala
Yoga brings you to your fullest potential – physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically. It is meant to be practiced at home daily (ideally in the morning), so that when you go out into the world for your day-to-day activities, you will be at your best in every way. In the yogic tradition, it is advised to do yoga practices every day for at least a mandala. A mandala is a period of approximately 40 days in which time the human system completes one physiological cycle. By doing yoga at home for one mandala, you can firmly establish the yoga practice on all levels – body, mind and energy – and reap the benefits.
▵ 40 to 48 day cycle
With any sadhana or kriya, it is customary to establish the practice deeply with a 40 to 48 day cycle. Sadhguru explains the significance of this: “If you bring anything new into your system, it will take about 40 days to become a part of the system. This is because the human physiology goes through a certain cycle every 40 to 48 days, which is known as a ‘mandala.’ This is also the reason why in Ayurveda, for example, medicine is usually given for 48 days – this is the length of time that is needed for the medicine to take root in your system. So if you do a certain sadhana for one mandala, then it gets written into your system like software and functions on a completely different level. It is important that you do it without a break for that period.”
▵ Yoga at Home (Isha)
▵ The Making of a Hata Yogi: Establishing the Practice (Isha)