Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice that helps create a sense of union in body, mind, and spirit. It brings us balance. Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago.

         Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the classical language of India. The Word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj (To Join, to concentrate one's attention on) meaning to bind, join, attach and Yoke to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply. Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian Philosophy. It was compiled and systematically co-coordinated by mahashi Patanjali in his classical work, the Yoga Sutras, which consists of 185 terse aphorisms. So Mahashi Patanjali is regarded as the pro-founder of Yoga Philosophy. The System of Yoga is so called because it teaches the means by which the individual soul can be united to or be in communion with the God, and so secures liberation. According to yoga, true happiness, liberation and enlightenment comes from union with the divine consciousness. One who follows the path of Yoga is a Yogi.

 

Branches of Yoga

 

Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Tantra Yoga are considered the main yogas, but there are many other types. The various yoga practices are a methodology for reaching the same destination.

 

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is the path of Physical Yoga is the most popular branch of Yoga. Hatha Yoga considered the body as the vehicle for the soul. Hatha represents opposing energies: hot and cold, male and female, positive and negative, similar but not completely analogous to yin and yang.

 

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion. Bhaki Yoga teaches a person to have a devotion to God and all things through devotion to life and love.

 

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is the path of Yoga that focuses on meditation and contemplation. It is based on the Eight Limbs of Yoga which was discussed in the Yoga Sutra. The Yoga Sutras are built on a foundation of Samkhya philosophy and the Bhagavad Gita.

 

Jnana Yoga

Jnana in Sanskrit means "knowledge",  Jnana Yoga deals with wisdom and knowledge  "knowledge of the true self". Jnana Yogis use an open, rational and curious mind in studying the spirit. Jnana Yoga is the Quest for the Self. In Jnana Yoga the intellect is used as a tool to know about our true Self. To realize about our true self , Jnana Yoga probes the nature of the Self through the question "Who am I?" 

 

Karma Yoga

“karma yoga” means “Path to Mergence with God through performing selfless service”. Karma Yoga is the science of action.

 

Tantra Yoga

Tantra Yoga is the path of ritual and perhaps the most misunderstood path. Tantra is the knowledge concerning Tattva (Truth) and Mantra (mystic syllables). It utilizes rituals to respectfully experience the sacred in everything we do, not just sex though sex is a part of it.


 

 

 

Yoga Asana
 
   
 
 
 
 Asana is such a dynamic position which helps the practitioner to balance the mind and body. It brings a superior balance and awakens the subtle energies of the body. It is not just a physical practice but a spiritual practice based on the fundamental vibrating energy of every human being.

The exercises (action) of Yoga are designed to put pressure on the Glandular Systems of the body, thereby increasing its efficiency and total health. It strengthens the spinal cord, energizes the inner cells and activates the whole nervous system. It allows us to use the body as an instrument of higher awareness, so that we can receive wisdom and knowledge.

 

Types of Yoga Asana

Sanskrit Name                                 English Translation

 

Adho Mukha Shvana Asana               Downward Dog Pose

Ardha-Bhujanga Asana                      Half-Cobra Pose

Ardha Matsyendrasana                      Twist Pose

Ardhachandra- Asana                        Half-moon Pose

Baddha-kona Aasana                         Restrained Angle Pose

Bala Aasana                                       Child Pose

Bhadra Asana                                    Gentle Pose

Bhujanga Asana                                 Cobra Pose        

Chakra Asana                                     Wheel Pose

Dhanura Asana                                  Bow Pose

Eka Pada Rajakapota Asana              One-Legged King Pigeon

Ekpada Uttan Asana                          One-Legged Raised Pose

Garuda Asana                                   Eagle Pose

Gomukha Asana                                Cow-face Pose

Hala Asana                                        Plough Posture

Janu Sirsa Asana                              Head-to-Knee Forward Bend

Kapota Asana I & II                            Pigeon1 & 2 Pose

Kona Asana                                      Angle Pose

Manduka Asana                                Frog Pose

Matsya Asana                                   Fish Pose

Makara Asana                                  Crocodile Pose 1

Makara Asana                                  Crocodile  Pose 2

Nouka Asana                                    Boat Pose

(supine position)

(prone position)

Natraja Asana                                  King of the Dance Pose

Padma Asana                                   Lotus Pose

Padahasta Asana                            Forward Bend Pose, Hands-and-Feet Pose

Parvata Asana                                 Hill Pose

Pavanamukta Asana                        Wind Releasing Pose

Paschimothan Asana                       Forward Bend Pose

Purvottana Asana                            Inclined Plan Pose  

Sarvanga Asana                             Shoulder Stand Pose

Salabha Asana                                Locust Pose

Full Salabha Asana                          Full Locust Pose

Half - Salabha Asana                      Half Locust Pose

Santulan Asana                               Balance Pose

Setubandha Asana                         Bridge Pose       

Sukha Asana                                  Easy Pose

Siddha Asana                                 Accomplished or Adept

Shava Asana                                  Corpse Pose

Shashanka Asana                          Moon Pose

Simha Asana                                  Lion Pose              

Shirsha Asana                               Headstand Pose

Surya Namaskara (Short)              Sun Salutation

Surya Namaskara (long)                Sun Salutation

Supta-Vajra Asana                        Reclining Thunderbolt or Diamond Pose

Supta Padangustha Asana            Reclining Big Toe Pose

Svastika Asana                             Auspicious Pose

Tada Asana                                   Mountain Pose

Trikona Asana                               Triangle Pose

Urdhva Mukha Svana Asana        Upward-Facing Dog Pose

Ushtra Asana                                Camel Pose

Utkata Asana                                 Chair Pose 

Utthan Pada Asana                        Raised-feet Posture

Vajra Asana                                  Thunderbolt or Diamond

Virabhadra Asana I                        Warrior I Pose

Virabhadra Asana II                       Warrior II Pose 

Virabhadra Asana III                       Warrior III Pose

Vira Asana                                     Hero Pose  

Vriksha Asana                               Tree Pose

Yoga Mudra                                   Scaling Pose  

Standing Yoga Mudra                    Standing Scaling Pose  

 

 

Bandhas

 

Mulabandha                                    Root Lock

Uddiyana Bandha                           Upward Abdominal Lock

Jallundhar Bandha                         Chin Lock

 

 

   Mudra

 

Aswini Mudra                                The Gesture of The Horse

Aswini Mudra (version 1)  Aswini Mudra (version 2) Rapid contraction

Vajroli Mudra

 

 Kunjal Kriya   

 

 

 

 

 

Yoga FAQ (Frequently Asked Question)

What is Yoga?

Is yoga a religion?

Has it been "proved" that Yoga is good for you?

When should a patient take Yoga Treatment?

How many styles of yoga are there?

How many asanas are there in Yoga?

What is Om and why is it chanted?

What is mantra?

Which are the diseases that can be cured by Yoga?

How can Yoga be helpful to improve your personality?

Is there any age limit while performing Yoga?

Which is the best time to perform Yoga?

What should I wear?

Is it okay to eat before yoga asana?

Will yoga help me to reduce weight?

Should women do Yoga during menses?

Is it okay to practice Yoga while pregnancy?

Can I practice yoga with an injury or medical condition?

What's the difference between a yogi, a guru and a swami?

I just have started yoga practice, but I feel drowsy all through the day.

Do I have to be a vegetarian to practice Yoga?

What are Do’s and Don'ts while practicing Yoga?

  find out answers

 

Benefits of Yoga

 

At physical level

  •   Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina.

  •   Lowers fat, Improves circulation, Stimulates the immune system

  •   Meditation keeps one young. Younger biological age i.e. one is younger than one’s   chronological age.

  •   Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.

  •   Lowers levels of chemicals associated with stress eg.  cortisol and lactate.

  •   It reduces the chances of tissue damage though, the free radicals are controlled.

  •   Decreased high blood pressure.

  •   Drop in cholesterol levels.

  •   Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.  

And that's just the surface stuff. In fact, most of the benefits mentioned above are secondary to yoga's original purpose.

 

At mental level

 

  • Helps you relax and handle stressful situations more easily.

  • Encourages positive thoughts and self-acceptance.

  • Reduces stress and tension, anxiety, depression, irritability and moodiness.

  • Boosts self esteem,

  • Improves concentration and creativity

  • Heals old traumas

  • Increases brain wave coherence. Harmony of brain wave activity in different parts of the brain is associated with greater creativity, improved moral reasoning, and higher IQ. Improves comprehensive ability and memory.

  • Enhances emotional stability.

  • Brings happiness and leads to vitality and rejuvenation.

 

 

 At spiritual level

  •  Builds comprehensive awareness.

  •   Promotes an interdependence between mind, body, and spirit.

  •   Helps you live the concept of “oneness.”   

  •  Creates sense of well being and calm.

  •  Makes one to discover one’s true nature i.e. realizing one's self, in finding what  one seeks - consciously or unconsciously.

  •  Controls the mind.

  •  Sets one free from one’s illusions and preconceptions that prevents from fulfilling oneself.

  •  Attains the union between a person's own consciousness and the cosmic consciousness.

 

The Ancient Yoga seers perceived the physical body as a vehicle, with the mind as driver, the soul as one’s trueself, with action, emotion and intelligence as the three forces which pull the body-vehicle. The ancient yoga seers assemble an exclusive technique to bring the body, mind and soul together into one harmonious experience by balancing action, emotion and intelligence.

 

Yoga Exercise Ball- When Exercise balls are used in yoga it is called as yoga ball exercise.

 

Research

References and abstract of research papers published in international Journals on Therapeutic yoga. more...

 

  

 

 

Modern schools of Yoga
 

Aerial yoga
 Anahata Yoga
 Ananda Marga
 Anusara Yoga
 Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Bikram Yoga/ Hot Yoga
Cardiac yoga
Chair Yoga

Dahn Yoga
Iyengar Yoga
 Kripalu  Yoga
 Kundalini Yoga

Krishnamacharya's yoga

Kriya Yoga
 Naked/ Nude yoga
 Pranava yoga

Power Yoga
 Sahaja Yoga
Satyananda Yoga

Sivananda Yoga
Surat Shabd Yoga
 Yin Yoga
 Yoga Chi Gung

Hinduism paths

 

Ashtanga Yoga
 Bhakti Yoga
 Hatha Yoga
Purna Yoga or

Integral Yoga

Supramental Yoga

Karma Yoga
 Kriya Yoga
 Kundalini Yoga
 Laya yoga

Japa Yoga
Natya Yoga
 Raja Yoga
 Jnana Yoga

 

Tibetan schools of Yoga

Anuyoga
Mahayoga
Six Yogas of Naropa
Trul khor (Yantra Yoga)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of schools under Hindu yogis

* Ananda Marga - Shrii Shrii Anandamurti
* Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
* Bikram Yoga - Bikram Choudhury
* Integral Yoga - Sri Aurobindo
* Gitananda Yoga - Swami Gitananda Giri
* Iyengar Yoga - B.K.S. Iyengar
* Kripalu Yoga - Amrit Desai
* Kriya Yoga - Paramahansa Yogananda
* Sahaj Marg - Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari
* Sahaja Yoga - Shri Mataji Nirmala Srivastava
* Sant Mat / Surat Shabd Yoga - Shiv Dayal Singh
* Satyananda Yoga - Swami Satyananda Saraswati
* Siddha Yoga - Swami Muktananda
* Sivananda Yoga - Swami Vishnu-devananda
* Swami Sarasvati Yoga Society - Swami Sarasvati
* Ramakrishnananda Yoga Vedanta Mission - Swami Ramakrishnananda
* Viniyoga - T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar
* Yoga in Daily Life - Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda
* Hatha Yoga - Kaivalyadhama, India
 



List of schools under Buddhist yogis

* Six yogas of Naropa
* Tumo
* Tsa lung Trul khor
 


List of schools under Sikh yogis

* 3HO - Yogi Bhajan

List of schools under Western yogis

* Agni Yoga - Nicholas Roerich and his wife Helena Roerich
* American Meditation Institute - Leonard Ramalev Perlmutter
* Anahata Yoga - Ana Costa
* Anusara Yoga - John Friend
* Jivamukti Yoga - Sharon Gannon and David Life
* Raja Yoga Institute - Shri Yogacharya Ajita, the Netherlands
* Sat Yoga Institute in Costa Rica - Sat Yogi Shunyamurti PhD. Robert Shubow
* Warrior Yoga - Frank Shamrock
 

 

 

 

 

Also read from Kundalini Yoga-SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

 

PRAYER TO MOTHER KUNDALINI