YOGA
As a practioner of yoga for nearly 20 years , I have come to see, feel and reap the benefits of this practice, not only on a physical level but on a physiological and spiritual level too.
Yoga is a way of life, an intergrated system of education for the body, mind and inner spirit.This art of right living was perfected and practised in India thousands of years ago but, since yoga deals with universal truths, its teachings are as valid today as they were in ancient times. Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion. Yoga is union with all.
WHAT IS YOGA ?
The word Yoga comes from the sanskrit root word 'yuj' which literally means 'yoking,' in the sense of the coming together of a harmonious relationship between our seperate aspects. Different aspects of our perception make yoga either exoteric or esoteric. The yoga teachings regarding bringing the body, mind and emotions into harmony, such as Hatha Yoga, are exoteric. Those teachings focused upon the outer self in harmony with the Inner Self, such as Classical Yoga, are esoteric. In exoteric-based Hatha Yoga, the practices focus on developing health to optimal physiological and psychological levels. In esoteric-based Classical Yoga,
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The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the ' Rig Veda'. The vedas were a collection of texts containing songs, mantras and rituals to be used by Brahmans, the vedic priests. Yoga was slowly refined and developed by the Brahmans and Rishis (mystic seers) who documented their practices and beliefs in the 'Upanishads', a huge work containing over 200 scriptures. The most renowned of the yoga scriptures is the 'Bhagavad-Gita', composed around 500 B.C. The 'Upanishads' took the idea of ritual sacrifice from the vedas and internalized it, teaching the sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action (Karma Yoga) and wisdom (Jnana
With so many religions and the world getting smaller every day, intricacies of a religion can easily be lost and with the taboo of discussing religion and politics in public, often times, these religions only come up when they are under fire. This holds true for Islam more than any other. To the outsider, Muslim traditions can seem strange, such as the call to prayer, but to the billion practitioners worldwide, it’s an invitation to accept Allah as God and Muhammad as his messenger (Prayer). Other, mainly Eastern religions, lose some of their potency in translation to the West. Practices like yoga in the Western world are mainly seen as exercise and a way to unwind but to religious practitioners, yoga literally means “to yoke” life, divinity and reality. The contemplative nature of the practice is lost on the West (Philosophical Hinduism).
Yoga: The word Yoga came from the Sanskrit word yuj which means to “join” or to “integrate”. It is the Indian ancient activity for the meditation and self-improvement. If we breathe slowly in a calm way then we will slow our heart rate and if we focus on the mind we will develop mental peace and well-being. Yoga makes the body strong, fit and flexible. It also improves the human body’s respiratory, circulatory, digestive system and hormonal systems.
Yoga is a comprehensive system of mind/body techniques that is thousands of years old. Its techniques are designed to improve physical and mental health and well being, and include such practices as physical postures and stretching, breathing exercises (pranayama), focused concentration, meditation, visualization, and chanting (mantra) (Desikachar, 1999; van der Kolk, 2014).
It is not surprising to those of us who are long time yoga practitioners that the popularity of this profound spiritual science is now exploding on a world wide scale. Unfortunately though some of the authenticity and truths about yoga are being lost and some myths are creeping in with regard to what yoga is and how it is to be practiced. In this article I will look to clear up what I find to be the top 5 myths about yoga.
According to a Hindu, yoga is the path or discipline through which salvation is reached. By using certain breathing techniques and exercises, control of the mind
While yoga and many variations of the exercise are a growing trend in the fitness world, the practice, which involves breath control and meditation while holding certain body postures has been around for thousands of years. Many who attend or teach classes have found great benefits from the practice, including increased strength, flexibility and conditioning.
Before providing the solution, “Yoga” has to be distinguished from Yoga. In the following discussion, Yoga indicates the Original religiously significant activity intends to “connect with the divine” (smith). On the other hand, “Yoga” means the “diluted” Yoga by the author, which loses its religious significance. And this is the popular type of the exercise practice by the outsider of the Indian culture. Using a metaphor to explain this: Yoga is like the spring water coming out of the valley, containing all sorts of minerals, not only questing the thirst, but also being beneficial to the body; “Yoga” much like distilled water, still can questing the thirst, but
Yoga is a discipline both involving physical and mental control that originated in India. The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word, "yug", meaning union and it means the joining of the individual spirit with the universal spirit. The type of yoga known as Hatha Yoga, ("Ha"- sun, "tha"-moon) is what is most commonly practiced and this yoga involves the path of the mind and body and is the most physical. There are eight limbs or steps of Hatha Yoga, the first step being the five Yamas. There are five yamas and these concern your behavior to the world.
Yoga is a mindful physical practice that brings mindfulness to the body in movement. It also offers other health benefits such as rejuvenating the body by keeping bones, muscles, joints, organs and nerves healthy, flexible and supple.
The benefits of Yoga are endless. It effects the human mind and body in a variety of ways. Roughly 15 million Americans practice yoga, annually there is an expected increase of twenty percent in participants in the United States ("Yoga Statistics"). While Yoga is often thought of as a practice that involves circus like poses and seemingly impossible flexibility; it not. Even bedridden patients can gain benefit from imagining themselves going through the poses and practicing breathing techniques that are appropriate to them (Dickenson 24-25). Yoga is not something that you do at the studio and leave behind. It becomes a way of life; leading to healthier habits, improving psychological health, and encouraging spiritual growth. An article on
The word Yoga literally means “to unite, join together.” This union means the connection between body and mind which exist in all people. In addition to this, it means the connection of yourself and your true identity. “Yoga is based on universal laws, and it can be defined as the science of creating balance between body and soul, as well as between rest and activity.”
I always wonder how I was unknown to this treasure of art; all those years when I was living in India, I never tried it, but here, I’m making it my daily habit. The word yoga comes from ancient Indian. It has been a great part of Hinduism which is third most followed and practiced religion in the world. There are some other religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism which also practice yoga in a certain way,but it’s said that yoga is not a religion; it is a way of living that aims towards 'a healthy mind in a healthy body. Maybe that’s why it has become so popular among all. Everyone is eager to learn and practice, so do I. Good thing about yoga is that I don’t need anyone to help. I can practice it whenever I want, wherever I want to; there’s no limitation to that. Moreover, there is no need for me to do meditation at a different time if I’m doing yoga, because most of yoga’s postures itself consist meditation Even though, it is not easy to do correctly when we begin, but time and understanding make it easier each time we try it.
as in Tibetan Buddhism. Yoga is used as a means to enlightenment and has influenced
KARMA YOGA: Karma is derived from the Sanskrit root word ‘Kri’ meaning 'do your duties.' Karma Yoga is the yoga of action. Do your job. The word Karma, in its most basic sense, means do, act, and yoga means union. Thus, Karma Yoga simply translates to the path of union through action. It describes the path to take in thinking, willing and acting, by which one can act in accordance with one's duty (dharma) and without consideration of personal desires, selfishness, likes or dislikes. Similar to many other philosophies in Hinduism, Karma Yoga is based on general understanding of karma and reincarnation (Samsara). It is believed that a man is born with certain Samskars (karmas), both positive and negative, from his past lives which drive him to
If we become able to use them in right manner, they will provide very successive result in our life to make a good balance between our external self and internal self, body and mind, and the world and the self. Yoga is not only an exercise but also a remedy for a number of diseases which researchers have proved already. People today have a lot of mental and physical health problems created by the current environment. To solve problems related to stress management, memory power and concentration, develop immune power to resist diseases, develop confidence yoga is helpful. Professional people who are suffering from multiple problems can change their life through yoga. It helps them flourish their ability, develop confidence and link their physical health with the mental one. Yoga can change life as it is not only the exercise but also a lifestyle as well. Following yoga exercise on time we can save us from many health hazards in our