1) Raja Yoga – This is attaining Yoga or unification and reach Samadhi or oneness by practising the Ashtangas of Yoga like Yama, Niyama, etc. (which we discussed in the last article). One who achieves the yogic state by this mode is considered to be the Raja or King of Yoga – we can take Swami Vivekananda as an example.
2) Bhakthi Yoga – This reaching the ultimate oneness by sheer devotion and faith. Kuchela can be an example for this.
3) Gnana Yoga - Unification by attaining knowledge in different walks of life. Present time scientist and vedic age maharishis are examples. Sri Adi Sankara, Buddha Bhagwan can be best examples.
4) Karma Yoga: Attaining the oneness by selfless service to humanity and society with out anticipating the result – as Krishna Bhagwan explains in Geetha “Karmarne Vadhikaryasya Ma Phaleshu Kadhajena” - perform your duties without anticipating the result of fame in return. Mahatma Gandhi can be quoted as the best example.
5) Janma Yoga – Some Mahatmas are born with the inherent quality to reach that oneness state: for example, Jesus Christ, Mohammed Nabi, etc.
6) Japa Yoga – Attaining oneness by chanting a mantra, God’s name etc. We can see this is part and parcel of all religions like, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.
7) Thapa Yoga – Attaining oneness by penance. For this we can see a lot of examples in Vedic scriptures.
8) Avathara Yoga – Incarnated soul, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, etc., who took avatara to create peace and oneness in the Universe.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Most Popular Types of Yoga
Hatha
Hatha yoga is a gentle, slow-paced type of exercise and is a very good way to be introduced to yoga. (Ha means sun, tha moon)
Ashtanga/Power
This is an intense, vigorous and fast-paced style of yoga. It consists of a progressive series of poses resembling calisthenics like push-ups and handstands, side bends and toe touches. The poses are always performed in the same order linked in a flowing style making it an intense aerobic workout. This practice is one of the most physically demanding and challenging because of the constant movement from one pose to the next with synchronized breathing. It is a combination of stretching, strength training, and meditative breathing that build up the strength of the practitioner as well as improve the stamina and body pliability. (Ashtanga means eight limbs)
Bikram/Hot
The practice room of a typical Bikram yoga is heated up to 37 degrees Celsius, with a humidity of 40% resulting to profuse sweating and the loosening of tight muscles. The 26 poses always remain the same in every sequence and this is considered important to this practice. It has become one of the most practiced yoga due to its capability of cleansing the body of toxins making one healthier and feeling rejuvenated. (Bikram got its name from its pioneer, the Bikram Choudhury)
Vinyasa
This is a more vigorous style than Hatha. A practice starts typically with a series of movements matched to the breath called Sun Salutations to warm up the body. The practice balances each pose with a counter pose. It moves on to more intense stretching up to the end of the class. (Vinyasa means breath-synchronized movement)
Kundalini
Kundalini practice concentrates on awakening and freeing the energy in the lower body particularly in the base of the spine and drawing it to move upwards to the head. While all practices make use of controlling the breath, in Kundalini it is most essential due to its effect on the poses. It uses swift, repetitive movements rather than holding the posture for a long period. In addition to the breathing exercises, meditations and chantings are also emphasized. Chanting is done with the teacher leading the class in a call and response mode. (Kundalini means the vital force and the base of the spine)
Iyengar
This type of yoga concentrates on bodily alignment, the proper order of poses and the perfect way they are linked together. It is a great way for working on your physical and mental health. There is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long time rather than moving from one pose to the next. Props such as blocks, blankets and straps are used to help align the body into the different poses in a sequential way so that the practitioner can perform a pose more confidently. Iyengar is suited for all levels, and to persons with disabilities or injuries too, improving their flexibility and strengthen them. (Iyengar is based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S. Iyengar)
Other types of yoga that are also known and practiced are: Ananda, Anusara, Bhakti, Integral, Ishta, Jivamukti, Jnana, Kali Ray TriYoga, Kripalu, Prenatal, Restorative, Sivananda, Svaroopa, Sahaja, Tantra, and, Viniyoga, White Lotus.
Hatha yoga is a gentle, slow-paced type of exercise and is a very good way to be introduced to yoga. (Ha means sun, tha moon)
Ashtanga/Power
This is an intense, vigorous and fast-paced style of yoga. It consists of a progressive series of poses resembling calisthenics like push-ups and handstands, side bends and toe touches. The poses are always performed in the same order linked in a flowing style making it an intense aerobic workout. This practice is one of the most physically demanding and challenging because of the constant movement from one pose to the next with synchronized breathing. It is a combination of stretching, strength training, and meditative breathing that build up the strength of the practitioner as well as improve the stamina and body pliability. (Ashtanga means eight limbs)
Bikram/Hot
The practice room of a typical Bikram yoga is heated up to 37 degrees Celsius, with a humidity of 40% resulting to profuse sweating and the loosening of tight muscles. The 26 poses always remain the same in every sequence and this is considered important to this practice. It has become one of the most practiced yoga due to its capability of cleansing the body of toxins making one healthier and feeling rejuvenated. (Bikram got its name from its pioneer, the Bikram Choudhury)
Vinyasa
This is a more vigorous style than Hatha. A practice starts typically with a series of movements matched to the breath called Sun Salutations to warm up the body. The practice balances each pose with a counter pose. It moves on to more intense stretching up to the end of the class. (Vinyasa means breath-synchronized movement)
Kundalini
Kundalini practice concentrates on awakening and freeing the energy in the lower body particularly in the base of the spine and drawing it to move upwards to the head. While all practices make use of controlling the breath, in Kundalini it is most essential due to its effect on the poses. It uses swift, repetitive movements rather than holding the posture for a long period. In addition to the breathing exercises, meditations and chantings are also emphasized. Chanting is done with the teacher leading the class in a call and response mode. (Kundalini means the vital force and the base of the spine)
Iyengar
This type of yoga concentrates on bodily alignment, the proper order of poses and the perfect way they are linked together. It is a great way for working on your physical and mental health. There is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long time rather than moving from one pose to the next. Props such as blocks, blankets and straps are used to help align the body into the different poses in a sequential way so that the practitioner can perform a pose more confidently. Iyengar is suited for all levels, and to persons with disabilities or injuries too, improving their flexibility and strengthen them. (Iyengar is based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S. Iyengar)
Other types of yoga that are also known and practiced are: Ananda, Anusara, Bhakti, Integral, Ishta, Jivamukti, Jnana, Kali Ray TriYoga, Kripalu, Prenatal, Restorative, Sivananda, Svaroopa, Sahaja, Tantra, and, Viniyoga, White Lotus.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar, is a type of Yoga known for 3 things: Postures (Asanas), Breathing Exercises (Pranayama and the use of props, like belts and blocks, as aids in doing the poses. Iyengar Yoga is resolutely based on the traditional 8 limbs of Patanjali Yoga.
Thus emphasis on developing of stamina, flexibility, strength and balance, plus concentration and meditation is part and parcel of the program.
Iyengar Yoga is a type of Hatha Yoga that lays stress on the body’s structural alignment with the aid of asanas. Through the practice of Iyengar Yoga, the practitioner aims at uniting the body, mind and soul for good health and happiness.
This form of Yoga is believed to be a strong tool to relieve the stress and tensions of everyday life. That, in turn automatically helps promote overall physical and spiritual well being.
Iyengar Yoga is characterized by its minute attention to detail and particular focus on structural alignment of the physical body. Iyengar initiated the use of props like blocks, benches, cushions, straps, and sand bags. It is believed that their use helps beginners perform Yoga poses more easily that might otherwise only be possible after a number of years of diligent practice. Props also help tired and infirm participants enjoy optimum benefits of many of the Yoga poses with the use of fully supported techniques that call for less muscular effort.
In Iyengar Yoga, standing asanas are more emphasized upon. It is believed that they contribute to building strong legs, enhancing general vitality, improving circulation, coordination and balance, besides ensuring a strong foundation for the advanced poses to follow.
In most of the empirical methods Yoga students are persuaded to find their way to the asanas, on their own, by imitating the teacher. However, Iyengar Yoga classes are very vocal and instructive, with physical misalignments and mistakes rectified immediately. Iyengar has trained literally thousands of teachers. They usually conclude 3-5 years of thorough training for the introductory level of certification. The higher-level certification could take a decade or even more.
Hatha Yoga
With ha meaning "sun" and tha meaning "moon," hatha yoga is commonly translated as the yoga that brings union "of the pairs of opposites." Sometimes Hatha Yoga is also translated as the "forcefull yoga", because it seems to require the most physical excercises of all yoga types. Hatha Yoga is certainly the yoga that is the best known in the West, which is probably why so many definitions of Hatha Yoga exist.
Click for a larger image of this teaching poster on the role of AsanaIn the indian tradition, hatha yoga is one of the four main traditions of Tantra Yoga. Hatha Yoga is first of all concentrating on the practice of postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) to energize the subtle channels (nadis). Thus Hatha Yoga concentrates on the third and fourth steps of the eight-fold path of Ashtanga Yoga. The objective of Hatha Yoga is obviously to remove the obstacles to address the further steps of Pratyahara (sense-withdrawal), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation) and Samadhi (Balance). In many hatha yoga schools, these further steps are seen as part of Hatha Yoga. What's in a name ?
Excercising postures or Asanas in Hatha Yoga has two essential objectives. The first is that to practice any real meditation, one needs at the least one posture in which one can be perfectly comfortable for a longer period of time. The more such postures one can master, the better the basis for developing the inner meditation techniques. The second objective of excercising asanas in Hatha Yoga is to bring health and energy to body and mind by opening the nadis. When such excercises are regularly perfomed, the path of hatha yoga is opened automatically, though one still has to follow it further. The mere mastering of postures is no objective in itself, though mastering various postures certainly strengthens the power of will and concentration and the habit of not paying too much attention to the information input by the senses. Thus practicing asanas in Hatha Yoga directly opens the path to Prathyahara and Dharana.
Click for a larger image of this teaching poster on the role of AsanaIn the indian tradition, hatha yoga is one of the four main traditions of Tantra Yoga. Hatha Yoga is first of all concentrating on the practice of postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) to energize the subtle channels (nadis). Thus Hatha Yoga concentrates on the third and fourth steps of the eight-fold path of Ashtanga Yoga. The objective of Hatha Yoga is obviously to remove the obstacles to address the further steps of Pratyahara (sense-withdrawal), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation) and Samadhi (Balance). In many hatha yoga schools, these further steps are seen as part of Hatha Yoga. What's in a name ?
Excercising postures or Asanas in Hatha Yoga has two essential objectives. The first is that to practice any real meditation, one needs at the least one posture in which one can be perfectly comfortable for a longer period of time. The more such postures one can master, the better the basis for developing the inner meditation techniques. The second objective of excercising asanas in Hatha Yoga is to bring health and energy to body and mind by opening the nadis. When such excercises are regularly perfomed, the path of hatha yoga is opened automatically, though one still has to follow it further. The mere mastering of postures is no objective in itself, though mastering various postures certainly strengthens the power of will and concentration and the habit of not paying too much attention to the information input by the senses. Thus practicing asanas in Hatha Yoga directly opens the path to Prathyahara and Dharana.
What is Yoga?
What is Yoga?
The word Yoga comes from Indian philosophy, it literally means union, and in this context refers to the union of the individual's soul with the universal.
Yoga is an ancient philosophy of life as well as a system of exercises that encourages the union of mind, body, and spirit. In the words of Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, "yoga is the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction." Yoga is a physical discipline; it uses the body and breathing to develop self-awareness and mental clarity.
The word Yoga comes from Indian philosophy, it literally means union, and in this context refers to the union of the individual's soul with the universal.
Yoga is an ancient philosophy of life as well as a system of exercises that encourages the union of mind, body, and spirit. In the words of Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, "yoga is the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction." Yoga is a physical discipline; it uses the body and breathing to develop self-awareness and mental clarity.
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