what is yoga
What is yoga?
The words meaning is to bind, join, attach or yoke.
It is also translated as the union of opposites, the union of the mind body and breath.
The true intention of yoga is to go beyond our normal experience of self, and waken to the presence of spirit that can manifest in every aspect of our lives. Experiencing that presence is an opportunity for self transformation, to move from a limited self to a more expanded consciousness.
Yoga is not a religion, but is a method of direct experience that is to be used in ones physical, mental and spiritual process. This process unfolds in stages.
Rooted deeply in history yoga dates back to the upanishads (ancient texts meaning “to sit down near”. has grown into a very large tree with many branches.
The branches of yoga:
Raja yoga- is the eight fold path laid out by patanjalii the Yoga Sutras)
1) Yamas: Ahimsa (non harming), Satya (truth), Astyeya (non stealing) Brahmcharya
(right use of life energy) Aparigraha (non greed)
2) Niyamas: Saucha (purification), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (heat) Svadyaya
(self study), Isvarapranidhani (surrender)
3) Asana ( seat or posture)
4) Pranayama (prana+vital energy, ayama=expansion, extension or control of the breath
5) Pratyhara (withdrawal of the senses)
6) Dharana (concentration)
7) Dhyana (meditation)
8) Samadhi (state of complete absorption)
Hatha Yoga – seeks enlightenment through the physical body: union of the Ha (sun) Tha (moon) ( Tha is pronounced ta) Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Karma yoga- is self transcendence through action. to exist means to act. to free the mind in the midst of action.
Bakti Yoga- is the yoga of devotion, and through the matters of the heart and emotions, and also through ones relationship to the divine and the infinite universe.
Tantra- That which expands knowledge through ritual, visualization, subtile energy
Yoga like any art form is an evolutionary process in constant renewal. Each generation adds to its richness by taking ancient teachings and finding a way for these teachings to come alive in the present.
A lot of the branches have come together and are practiced simultaneously to join the mind body and spirit.
Many styles of yoga have been introduced, but most of the credit for bringing yoga back to life is T. Krishnamacharya. His teachings varied vary little from the ancient texts, yet he was able to see that yoga could serve anyone no matter their constitution and many approaches could be used to bring enlightenment and heal the body and the mind. his devotion and wisdom continues to influence many of the styles and off shoots of today.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 am
Any information on your sources though?
December 4th, 2009 at 8:12 am
This is basic information, and I did not take it from one particular source. Most of what I have written has come from my training’s and studies, which has been gathered over years.
I have a lot more writing that I plan to venture into, after my site is updated, and when I go into depth on a subject, I will surely list references and sources.
Thank you so much for visiting.