The Largest Yoga And Health Site On The Internet
What’s News for Oct. 3, 2010
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I saw an ad for this on the back window of an SUV today. Do Christians think Yoga is evil or something?
Swami Rama briefly explains the meaning of Yoga in this video. See also: www.swamij.com www.swamij.com
With yoga being as popular as it is there should be no surprise that there are many different yoga exercise styles. Some of today’s yoga exercise styles have been around for hundreds of years while other yoga exercise styles have been created and based off some of the most common yoga postures and poses. Yoga exercise styles vary in level of difficulty; almost all of the styles are broken down into beginner and advanced levels. The yoga postures used, will depend on the level of the yoga exercise style you are practicing. Each yoga exercise style has a specific purpose and uses different methods and yoga postures.
Hatha yoga is one of the more laid back yoga exercise styles. Most often Hatha yoga is a slow paced yoga class. It is most commonly designated as the best yoga exercise style to take part in when just beginning to practice yoga. These are because of it slow pace and ease into each of the yoga postures used during a session. This yoga exercise style uses many different areas of each style of yoga. It does this by introducing the beginner level yoga postures of each different yoga exercise style.
Vinyasa is another yoga exercise style that encompasses many different styles of yoga. The word vinyasa translates to mean a series of breath synchronized movements. This yoga exercise style is more energetic than Hatha yoga. Vinyasa uses a group of yoga postures called sun salutations. Vinyasa is a yoga exercise that will start off slow with a series of sun salutation yoga postures as a method of warm up and then move into more intense yoga postures and stretches.
One of the more popular forms of yoga exercise used today is Ashtanga yoga. This type of yoga is also commonly referred to as Power yoga. Power yoga is one of the most intense forms of yoga exercise practiced. It involves a series of yoga postures; each of the yoga postures is always performed in the same sequence. This yoga exercise style is very physically demanding because of the pace needed to keep up in the class when switching yoga postures. It is not recommended for beginners. Bikram yoga is another of today’s most popular forms of yoga exercise. Bikram yoga is also known as hot yoga. During a hot yoga session you will complete a series of 26 yoga postures in a room that is 95 to 100 degrees. The idea behind practicing these yoga postures in a room that hot is that is acts as a way of body cleansing because of the profuse sweating one will experience. Also do yoga postures at that temperature will allow for your muscles to loosen fully, meaning you will be better able to do the yoga postures given to you.
It is best to consult with your doctor before deciding which yoga exercise style would be best for you. Some styles may be too strenuous to begin with.
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[eba kw="What is Yoga?" num="10" ebcat="all"]
Cool stuff.
Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. It focuses upon developing a healthy mind and body, and on attaining self-awareness. The various practices and disciplines of yoga are available to everyone, no matter what their culture or other paths they may follow. Yoga practice also involves developing awareness on a universal and personal level through the yamas and niyamas, a series of ethics and disciplines intended to cultivate living in harmony with others and in oneness with our true selves.
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years and consists of ancient theories, observations and principles regarding the connection of the mind with the body. The ancient Indian sage systemized yoga philosophy into eight paths or limbs: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi. These limbs each express a different aspect of yoga and combined make up the path or yoga practice that unites the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels of our being.
Yama – Yama are ethical disciplines that relate to how we can live in a shared world with peace and integrity. Niyama – These disciplines relate to the individual and focus on living a healthy, fulfilled and masterful life. Asana – The word asana means ‘to be’, in the sense of being in a posture. The asanas were developed for the maintenance of a healthy mind and body, with each posture affecting the body, mind and emotions in a unique way and working as a pathway to balance and wellbeing. Pranayama – In the practice of pranayama, we develop breathing techniques that increase oxygen intake and strengthen lung capacity while also increasing the absorption of prana, or life force. In its simplest form, pranayama involves deep, full breathing. Dharana – Following on from pratyahara, dharana is the ability to be completely internally absorbed and focused. This practice of single-pointed concentration stills the mind and leads to profound quietness within. Dhyana – Following on from dharana is dhyana, or meditation – sitting where there is no focus, just stillness; no thoughts, only emptiness. Samadhi – In this state of absolute personal freedom there is union of the individual soul with the universal soul. It is the practice of living at one with all that is.
With regular yoga practice of yoga, you will get strength, flexibility and good health, the benefits of which flow into all aspects of life. Increased energy levels bring a new perspective on life, the increased feelings of self-love and inspiration lead us to discover talents and interests we never knew existed and problems that once seemed overwhelming become more manageable.
