Benefits of Yoga!

Nowadays the buzz word is YOGA! Everywhere around the world, everyone speaks of Yoga now! Though it started and belonged to India once, the importance of it is getting exposed and the benefits are really seen in real life.

Western, European, Middle East Countries are practicing Yoga. Why this sudden change? I won't say sudden change, but a slow change that is happening. The speed is not enough if one wants to live healthy, peacefully and more importantly happily.

What does Yoga do? Though I have given the definitions already and there are forms of Yoga, the asanas, Karma Yoga and Bhakthi Yoga are easy to do. But, it requires complete committment and dedication.

Physical Benefits of Yoga Asanas:

1. It brings a good practice and habit of exercising in human system;

2. It gives a rhythmic life--you set a time to do the Asanas and it becomes a routine;

3. It helps in shreding weight; throught continuous practice and making it as part of daily routine, all portions of your body goes through physical exercise;

4. The entire body gets a shining; do not use towel or napkin or clothes to wipe out the sweat; just do it with your hands and it really helps;

5. Helps to control or even reduce BP, Cholestrol, mainly sugar in the blood;

6. It helps to control and reduce the sugar level - Diabetics;

7. It helps in eliminating the back ache; with proper guidance if you do the asanas, sure that it will help in back ache;

8. It helps in eliminating the neck pain as well;

9. It helps in controlling and eliminating the Arthiritis; Do it when you are not in pain and know the right asanas to do for arthiritis;

10. Asana is not only about physical movement (postures) of body. It also involves proper breathing; proper inhaling and exhaling through nostrils. This helps in controlling asthma and bronchitis;

Benefits Related to Mind:

1. Through meditation and proper breathing techniques, the mind can be controlled onto something that you really want to focus on during meditation; Normally the mind is not easily controllable; it waves--for a second it is Las Vegas and next second it is in Sydney and the next moment in Delhi. Mind has no speed and it is the fastest travelling machine in this universe;

2. It helps proper breathing practice which is very imporant for a healthy life;

3. Keeps the mind clean and avoids bad thoughts;

4. The big word and most often used word in the machine world is STRESS. It can be easily controlled and you can control your mind rather than you are controlled by it;

5. The focus and concentration improves;

And Many More....... what benefit you wanna get out of Yoga and Meditation? You will get it. Only thing you need to do is to practice them with full committment and dedication. Love doing it and you will get what you want!

All the Best!

Yoga for Back, Arms, Chest, Legs, Hips - Salutation Pose

Another Asana for improving your focus and concentration. This will also help you to have a strenthened and flexible back, arms, chest, legs and hips. The pose helps you to keep back, hips, chest, arms and legs completely healthy because it involves all of these body parts.

Asana is called Anjaneya-asana or the Salutation pose bcause of the posture.

Asana Name: Anjaneya-asana
Pronounciation: Hon-Jha-nay-ya-Asana
Posture: Salutation Pose
Hints: Requires flexibility in hips, legs, shoulders

Meaning and Explanation:

Anjaneya refers to Lord Monkey. Anjaneya is a strong devotee of Lord Ram and helped him during his fight agasint Ravana. The word means Salutation or Praise from the Root. The first syllable Anj means "to honor, to celebrate."

Instructions:

1. Site in the vajra-asana pose. This is a seated posture by sitting back on your heels and placing the knees and legs together. Ensure that the feet are together and the toes of both the legs are close to each other or even touching each other;
2. Keep the back straight and place your palms on the thighs;
3. Kneel up;
4. Ensure that the back, buttocks, thigh and head are aligned;
5. Keep the palms on the thighs;
6. Extend your right foot forward, bending at knee level;
7. Place your right arm in the right thigh;
8. Raise your both the arms, close the palms with (as if you are doing Namaskaram) and bring the arms to the chest; Let the thumb touch the center of the chest; (this is called Anjali-Mudra);
9. Raise your arms straight up and at the same time, bend your head backwards; look up; stretch the left leg as much as possible; do this slowly;
10. Slowly bend your head backwards and taking the arms also backwards; your face should look up as if you are looking up on the sky;
11. Be in this position as long as possible;
12. Breathe gently through nostrils;
13. Slowly come back to the Vajra-asana pose;

Repeat the above set with the left leg. Do it twice on each leg;

Advantages:

This will help reduce your back pain and give strength to the back; raising the arm above the head while keeping the back straight will help the shoulder to be flexible;
stretching the leg would help the nerves to be flexible and not stiff.

General Advice:

Do all of these yogas in a pieceful place; You should be able to spend this 10 or 15 minutes for yourself; If you are in doubt about how to do this yoga or any posture, please seek help from your guru.

To Improve Focus and an Exercise for Hips and Legs

To improve your focus and concentration, do this asana. This will not only help you to improve the strength and fitness of your hips and legs. To start with, this may be little difficult, but without giving up, if you continue to practice this, you will get the result you wanted.

The asana is called "Akarna-Dhanura-asana" and also known as "The Shooting Bow Pose" because of the pose of the asana.

Asana Name: Akarna-Dhanura-asana
Pronounciation: ah-car-nah-da-noor-ah-sa-na
Posture: The Shooting Bow Pose
Hints: Requires flexibility in hips and legs

Meaning and Explanation:

The word "karna" is from sanskrit language which means "ear". The prefix "a" means "near to or towards." Dhanur means bow-shaped, curved or bent. Asana is the posture. So, this is a shotting-bow pose.

Instructions:

1. Sit on the floor with the legs together and extended straight out in front;
2. Keep the back straight, shoulders level and head straight;
3. Place the hands on the thigh with palms down;
4. Inhale deeply;
5. Exhale, take the right hand, take it to the right toe, loop the forefingers (of right hand) around the right toe. Similarly, hold the left leg with the left hand.
6. Inhale and pull the right foot back place the big toe next to right ear;
7. Ensure that the back is straight as much as possible, and hold this posture as long as you can hold the inhale breath;
8. Take the right leg back to the original position; Exhale slowly while doing this coming to normal position; release the hand;

Repeat this procedure with the other leg; Do this for 3-5 cycles a day.

"Having caught the toes of the feet with both hands and carried them to the ears by drawing the body like a bow, it becomes Dhanura-asana." - The Hatha-Yoga-Pradipika I.27.

Advantages:

While practicing this posture imagine yourself as an archer with the gaze focused on the target and the arrow firmly yet gracefully being pulled back in the bow. Hold the posture steady as an archer would hold the arrow aimed at its target. Return the foot to the floor gently. This simple technique will help cultivate a focused and unwavering attention.

General Advice:

Do all of these yogas in a pieceful place; You should be able to spend this 10 or 15 minutes for yourself; If you are in doubt about how to do this yoga or any posture, please seek help from your guru.

No Sleep? Insomnia? Need a Cure? Do Yoga!

Many people in the current world suffer due to no sleep or less sleep. This creates lot of stress in the mind and impacts the rest of the day. The sleepless state also creates anxiety in the mind, which turns into stress and impacts relationships as well.

What can be the cure? There are quite a number of Do's and Don'ts for individuals who suffer from this disease. Few of them are:

Do's:

1. Regular exercise - walk at least 15 to 20 minutes daily;


2. Go to bed early - will be difficult for the first few days, but once you start doing it for 3 weeks, it would become a habit;


3. Site silently for 10-15 minutes in a calm place .

Don'ts:

1. Do not take coffee/tea before bed;


2. Do not take bath, especially in hot water;


3. Do not read books, especially thriller or horror;


4. Do not watch movies related to action, thriller or horror;


5. Do not go for any argument with anybody.

• As far as Yoga, below asanas should definitely help you in getting out of sleepless problem:

1. KAPALBHATI KRIYA

How to do?

• Sit comfortably in Sukhasana or padmasana;


• Keep your nect straight;


• Place both the hands on the knees in gyan mudra;


• Close your eyes slowly;


• Exhale forcefully through both nostrilss, as you pull your stomach in;


• Don't make any effort to inhale;


• Repeat 45-50 times till you feel tired;


• Keep your body still during the Kriya;


• Incrase the process gradully to 80-100 times.

Benefits:

• Eliminates all toxins from the air passages, thus cleansing body and mind and ensuring peace of mind.

Caution:

• If you have any heart disease, high blood pressure or hernia, you must breathe out slowly.

2. TADASANA

How to do?

• Stand erect, heels together;


• Place both the hands on your chest, fingers interlocked;


• Stretch your arms forward and slowly raise them upwards, as you breath in;


• Raise your heels, stand on tip toe and stretch your entire body up;


• Stay relaxed;


• Breath normally;


• Stay in this position as long as you can;


• Then slowly brng your hands to the top of the head and rest it there with the fingers still interlocked;


• While brining the hands to the top of the head, lower your heel and touch the ground;


• Repeat this 4 to 5 times.

Benefits:

• Excellent for relieving physical exhaustion; eases all stress off the spine; ankles, knees, thighs, abdomen and shoulders

3. PAWANMUKTASANA

How to do?

• Lie on your back, your legs outstretched;


• Bend both the legs at the knees;


• Bring them towards your chest;


• Exhale and pull the bent legs further towards the chest with your hands, fingers interlocked;


• Lift your head and try to touch your knees with your chin;


• Hold the position as long as you can;


• Breath normally;


• Bring your head back to base position;


• Now turn your feet to the right and the head to the left;


• Bring the feet to the left and turn the head to the right;


• Repeat 3 to 5 times for each side;


• Unlock the hands and stretch our legs and lie on your back;


• Repeat the entire process 3 to 5 times.

Benefits:

• Impacts the entire digestive area, thus curing abdominal disorders like constipation, diabetes, colitis, indigestion and gastric problems, all of which are major problems that cause sleeplessnes.

Caution:

• Those suffering from neckaches or spondylitis should not raise their head in this asana.


• Please consult our yoga guru or apppropriate person before you begin, in case if you are not sure whether you can do this yoga.

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 12 (last)

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 12th posture:

Posture 12:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Bring both the hands forward; both the palms touching each other, bend the hands and let both the thumb touch the heart;

Breathing: Normal

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 11

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 11th posture:

Posture 11:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Inhale and slowly raise the both the arms upwards; take it as much back as possible behind your head;
3. Raise your head upwards and bend it towards back along with your hands;
4. The head should follow the hands while raising and moving towards back;
5. Take your hand and head towards back as much as possible, but do not strain yourself; While taking the arms and head backwards, ensure as if you are trying to touch somebody standing behind you; as far as head, you are trying to see the sky

Breathing: Inhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 10

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 10th posture:

Posture 10:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Exhale slowly move the right leg forward, keep both the legs together
3. Bend forward and try to touch your knee with your head;
4. Ensure that your both the palms are touching the ground; Try to do it, if you are not able to touch with your palms, it is okay; try as much as possible

Breathing: Exhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 9

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 9th posture:

Posture 9:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Inhale and slowly move the left leg forward and bend it as if you are ready to run for a 100 meter race;
3. Ensure that the left leg is aligning with the hands; it should be in the same line with the hands;
4. Both the palms should be firmly placed on the ground;
5. Right leg stretched backward and touching the ground;
6. Head raised towards up as if you are looking at the sky;

Breathing: Inhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 8

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 8th posture:

Posture 8:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Exhale slowly and bring the left foot backward and align it with the right foot; try to stretch your leg as much as possible; you would feel the nerves pulling and responding;
3. Keep the arms straight with both the palms touching the ground;
4. Raid the back towards up as if you are forming an upward arch;
5. Bend the head downward as if you are trying to touch your neck with your chin;

The posture is similar to posture # 5 with the exception that you're pushing your left foot backwards in posture 8 versus pushing the left leg forward in posture 5.


Breathing: Exhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 7

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 7th posture:

Posture 7:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Inhale slowly and raise your head slowly upward and bend it backwards as if you are trying to look the sky;
3. Bend the spine as much as possible; but do not strain yourself; if it pains, relax and bend until you can bear the pain

Breathing: Inhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 6

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 6th posture:

Posture 6:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Exhale and slowly lower the body towards the ground;
3. Ensure that the feet, knees, hands, chest, and forehead are touching the floor;

Breathing: Exhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 5

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 5th posture:

Posture 5:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Exhale slowly and take the left leg backward to place it along with the right leg;
3. Both the legs toe should be touching the ground;
4. When you take the leg backwards, your hip the body should raise up as if you are forming an arch with your body;
5. Your back should be facing the celing or sky;
6. Palms still touching the ground firmly.
7. Bend your head towards ground as if you are trying to touch your neck with your chin; So, bend as much as possible, but do not strain yourself

Breathing: Exhale

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 4

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 4th posture:



Posture 4:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Inhale and move the right leg towards back with the toes touching the floor;
3. The left leg should be bent and the feet touching the ground;
4. Place both the hands in the ground palms touching the ground;
5. Tilt the head towards up as if you are seeing the ceiling or sky;
6. The final position is: move right leg backward, left leg bent, both the hands are kept with palms touching the ground and they are placed either side of the left leg, head is raised upwards as if you are seeing the ceiling / sky.

Breathing: Inhale whle moving forward

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 3

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 3rd posture:

Posture 3:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Exhale slowly and bend forward;
3. While bringing the arms from the back, ensure that the each arm are closer to the ear or touching the ear; try to touch it, if not it is okay;
4. While bending forward, ensure that your arms follow the head; the head should bend along with the arms following it;
5. The final position is, both the feet touching the floor, bent forward, head touching the knees, hands are in line with the legs touching the ground.

Breathing: Exhale while bending forward

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 2

In the Sun Salutation, let us see the 2nd posture:

Posture 2:

1. Ensure that the you are still facing the sun. Throughout all the 12 postures, you have to be facing the sun;
2. Inhale and slowly raise your both the arms upward;
3. Slowly bend backward; take your arms also along with the bend;
4. Your arms should be stretching beyond the head and in the backward position.

Breathing: Inhale while bending backward

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Surya Namaskar - The Sun Salutation - Posture 1

The Surya Namaskar (The Sun Salutation) is a powerful way of worshipping the Sun and is one of the key and important set of postures that helps the body to be in good and healthy condition. The set of 12 postures has no side effects and maintains the body and more importantly the "mind" in a healthy condition.

The 12 postures include not only physical positions and movements, but most importantly it covers the breathing part also. It is this breathing technique which helps in focusing on the postures and the amalgamation of postures and breathing helps the body and mind to be healthy.

Before you do the Sun Salutation, it is a must that you keep your body warm. So, do some warm-up exercises before you begin the Surya Namskar.

Let us see each of the 12 postures one-by-one: Please have your yoga mat laid on the floor:

Posture 1:

1. Ensure that the Yoga mat is laid facing the sun;
2. Stand at the eddge of the mat leaving one-feet at the top;
3. Ensure that both the feet are firmly positioned on the floor;
4. Bring both of your hands together, palm touching each other and bring the hand at the chest level
5. Ensure that the thumb of both fingers touch the heart (the bone below the nail of the thumb) should be touching the center of the ribs (between your two chests)

Breathing: Normal

Click here to read about Posture 1

Click here to read about Posture 2

Click here to read about Posture 3

Click here to read about Posture 4

Click here to read about Posture 5

Click here to read about Posture 6

Click here to read about Posture 7

Click here to read about Posture 8

Click here to read about Posture 9

Click here to read about Posture 10

Click here to read about Posture 11

Click here to read about Posture 12

Vajrasana

Asana: Vajra – asana
Posture: Vajra-asana - The Thunderbolt or Diamond Pose
Translation: The Sanskrit word vajra means thunderbolt or diamond.
Pronunciation: vuh-drah-sa-na
Difficulty: 2

Instructions:

1. The vajra-asana is a seated posture. Begin by sitting back on your heels and placing your knees, legs and feet together.


2. Keeping the back straight place the palms of your hands down on top of your thights.


3. Breath gently thorugh your nostrils and sit in this position for at least three minutes.
   

Comments:

1. The vajra-asana is a versatile posture well suited for meditation, rest in between other seated postures, oras an aid to digestion.


2. The vajra-asana is the position in various other yoga postures such as the anjaneya-asana (salutation posture) and the ushtra-asana (the camel).

Duration/Repetitions: The vajra-asana can be held for as long as is comfortable (and depending on the reason for doing the posture).

Yoga - Step by Step Procedure!

1. Vajrasana
Wait and watch this site! More Asanas to come here!

Kriya Yoga

"Kriya, controlling the mind directly through the life force, is the
easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite.
In contrast to the slow, uncertain “bullock cart” theological path to God, Kriya
may justly be called the “airplane” route."
—Paramhansa Yogananda

Kriya Yoga is a meditation technique that quickly accelerates one's spiritual growth. Kriya is the most effective technique for reaching the goal of Yoga: union with the Divine.

Kriya Yoga is an ancient technique that was hidden in secrecy for many centuries. It was in 1861, when the great yogi Mahavatar Babaji taught the technique to his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya in the Himalayas.

Kriya Yoga is an advanced technique for spiritual evolution that has been taught by enlightened sages for thousands of years. Part of the ancient science of Raja Yoga, it is mentioned by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

Kriya works by giving the practitioner Pranayama--the breathing exercise, or control of the life force. Through life force control, the yogi is able to overcome all the obstacles preventing union with the divine.

The Kriya technique is generally given through direct initiation from a qualified Kriya Yoga teacher, or acharya.

Kriya Yoga is effective because it works directly with the source of spiritual growth — the life force deep in our spines.

All yoga techniques work with this energy, often indirectly. Yoga postures, for example, can help open up the spinal channels, and balance the energy in the spine. Yoga breathing exercises can help to awaken that energy.

The Kriya technique is much more direct. It helps the practitioner to control the life force by mentally drawing it up and down the spine, with awareness and will. According to Paramhansa Yogananda, one Kriya, which takes about a half-minute, is equivalent to one year of natural spiritual growth.

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is concerned with the cultivation of the mind using meditation techniques (dhyana) as against the Hastha Yoga which is concerned with the physical asanans--postures.

The Raja Yoga mainly focuses on the mind. The mind is the King of the mental and physical structure which does it bidding. Because of the relationship between the mind and the body, the body must be disciplined and purified first.

The King of Yogas--Raja Yoga is seen as potential tool for obtaining the selfless state. This is considerd as a starting point in questioning to clense karma, obtain Moksha and Nirvana.

Raja Yoga aims at controlling the thought waves or mental unstability. This is where Raja Yoga helps and is sometimes referred as "Astanga (eight-limbed)"--the eight aspects helps to find the path one must attain. The eight limbs are:

Yama--Code of Conduct
Niyama--Religious Observance
Asana--Integration of Mind and Body through physical activity
Pranayama--Regulation of Breath leading to integration of mind and body
Pratyahara--Abstraction of the Senses, Withdrawal of the senses
Dharana--Concentration, One-mindedness
Dhyana--Meditation
Samadhi--Quite state of blissful awareness, superconsciousness state

Hatha Yogi starts his sadhana with Asanas--postures using physical activity whereas Raja Yogi starts his sadhan with the mind, although minimal asanas and pranayama are gernally included as a preparation for the meditation and concentration.

We will see the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga in the next articles.

Hatha Yoga or Hatha Vidya

The word Hatha is a compound of the word "Ha" and "Tha" which means sun and moon respectively, referring to Praana and Apaana, and also the principal nadi--energy channel, of the subtle body that must be fully operational to attain a state of meditation or samadhi.

In Western Countries, Hatha is associated with the word Yoga and is practiced for mental and physical health.

As per the Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva is credited with Hatha Yoga. It is said that on a lonely place, assuming nobody else is around, he gave the knowledge to Goddess Paravathi, but a fish heard the entire discourse. Lord Shiva took mercy on the fish and made him a Siddha, who came to be known as Matsyendranatha.

Hatha Yoga mainly focuses on the physical health and represents opposite energies such as hot and cold, male and female, fire and water, etc. It attempts to balance mind and body via physical exercises called asanas, controlled breathing, and the calming of the mind through relaxation and meditation. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices.

The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and pranic awakening practices. Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.

Karma Yoga (Buddhi Yoga)

Karma is a sanskrit word meaning "to do" or simply means "action." The teachings of Karma Yoga is based on Bhagavad Gita--a sacred sanskrit scripture of Hinduism. Karma Yoga focuses on the adherence to duty while remaining detached from the reward. One of the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita is, "Do your duty without expecting any reward." This means, do your duty and you will get the result you wanted automatically. Do not act based on the result you wanted.

The Hinduism beautifully explains Karma. It says, Karma Yoga is based on the general understanding of Karma and reincarnation (samsara). It is believed that a man is born with certain Samskara's (Karma's), both positive and negative, from his past lives, which pushes him towards performing certain actions in his present life. The process continues until the positive and negative erase out and there is no balance. At this stage, the man attains liberation.

The aim of Karma Yoga, therefore, is to gain freedom from the bondage of karma which restricts and inhibits dynamic, creative and constructive expressions in life.

Karma Yoga is a sadhana and not a mere practice. It can be attained through seva (selfless involvment in all activities which would help anyone).

Various sources are available to learn more about Karma Yoga. One of the source is books and few of them are: Karma Sanyasa, Eighteen Yogas of the Gita, Teachings series, etc.

Get help from a good master on how to do Karma Yoga.

Bhakthi Yoga

Bhakthi is a sanskrit term that signifies a blissful, selfless and pure love of God as the single source of everything and contains a true relationship with him! Nine primary activities of Bhakthi Yoga are listed below. It is believed that following all these nine or even one of these with sincerity, the devotee can achieve the love of God:

1. Hearing about God: Singing and chanting God's name - Japa, hearing, reading stories from scriptures;
2. Gloryifying the Lord: Describing God's all-attrative features;
3. Remembering the Lord: Internal meditation on the Lord's form, activities, names or personality;
4. Serving the lotus feet of the Lord: Providing a form of physical service;
5. Worshiping the Lord: Deity worship (puja) is a popular form of this within India;
6. Offering prayers to the Lord: Any form of prayer offered to please God;
7. Serving the Lord: Offering a service for Lord's pleasure, such as preaching activity;
8. Building a friendship with the Lord: Having an internal, loving relationship with God; and
9. Surrendering everything unto the Lord: Surrendering one's thoughts, actions and deeds to God.

(Source: Wikipedia)

It also described as a path channelling the emotions and feelings to realise the transcendental and divine nature interest in every human being. The stages of Bhakti Yoga are:

1. Meditation, to realize and channel emotional energy;
2. Mantras and kirtans, to open the heart;
3. Experiencing transcendetnal human qualities of life;
4. Identification with the source of inspiration and life, God.

For futher studies on this topic, please read Bhakthi Yoga Sagar series.

Gnana (Jnana) Yoga

Gnana Yoga is the process of converting intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom. It is a discovery of human dharma in relation to nature and the universe. Though Gnana Yoga, one can attain the highest meditative state and inner knowledge.

In general terms, Gnana means Knowledge. But in Yoga it means the process of meditative awareness which leads to illuminative wisdom. You cannot get answers to eternal questions, but this yoga which is part of meditation helps in self-realization and self-questioning.

Some components or objectives of Gnana Yoga are:

Self-Awareness leading to Self-Analysis;
Not just belief but realizing;
Experiencing knowledge;
Realizing the personal nature;
Developing wisdom;
Experiencing inner unity and journey

Some suggested readings on this topic are: Yoga Darshan, Yoga Sadhana, Panorama Series, etc.

Different Forms of Yoga - Introduction

I have given below the various yoga types best to my knowledge. I hope you find it useful and interesting to implement in your life and others! As usual, please always contact a good Guru and consult with him based on your needs and current health conditions!

Jnana Yoga
Bhakti Yoga
Karma Yoga
Hatha Yoga
Raja Yoga
Kriya Yoga

Click on the type of yoga you want to understand!

Introduction to Yoga

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice introduced more than 3 centuries ago by saints in India for the well being of human mind, body and spirit. It keeps all the parts including mind healthy, provided you practice it regularly with full devotion.

The Yoga was introduced by Patanjali, with clear principles called Yogasutra. These Yogasutras are eternal and the proof is that it is still being recognized and practiced by millions of people across the globe.

Yoga does not mean doing physical exercise or replacing the physical exercises that one normally does. It also does not mean meditation. Of course, it does have physical exercises to help our body to be free from toxic elements, but it is not only that!

Yogic practice involves

1. Asanas, nothing but postures, to balance the body and mind through the physical body;
2. Pranayama, nothing but breathing exercises, to work on the energy body; and
3. Meditation to clam and focus on the mind.

So, working on the attitude and aspects of Yoga is very important. They are:

1. Gnana Yoga - the path of knowledge;
2. Bhakthi Yoga - the path of heart and emotion;
3. Karma Yoga - the path of service; and
4. Other Yoga - the spiritual path

We will see these in detail in this site. But, please remember the following:

I have included descriptions of some common yogas in this website, however, the list is by no means complete and exhaustive and it is recommended to receive these and other advanced teachings from a competent master. Doing it alone without proper guidance may or may not help you or it can hurt you, so please be careful!

Thank you, All the Best!