“Yoga – Not a only way of life, it is the only way of Life”
“Yoga – A union of Mind Body and Soul”
Yoga has been steadily practiced since ancient times, and when impurity is overcome, enlightenment ascends, leading to full illumination and maha nirvana.
Even as we enter the 21st century, we find that Allopathic system of medicine has failed to come up to the health expectations of the people. There is a formidable line up of pain killers, but hardly any sorrow eradicates- Whereas miraculous cures have been reported by the patients of Yoga. Yoga as propounded by Maharishi Patanjali helps the Sadhak to swallow the bitter pill of suffering gladly and with a minimum of fuss., The individual then learns to endure what cannot be cured and cure what need not be endured. People are now turning to Yoga for their physical as well as mental problems. Yoga takes the view that if an organ in the body is malfunctioning, all others will be affected to some degree. To ensure total recovery from ailments Yoga treats all related ailments in the body. It generates happy thoughts which make for better health. UNO has defined health as physical, mental, social and spiritual well being of the human being. Yoga encompasses all the aspects of good health. It helps one to understand his mind and intimate past of the self. It strengthens our inner system and helps to overcome inner conflicts and develop an integrated personality. It enables one to be free from fatigue, stress and worry and be happy with himself. It rejuvenates physically and be with God.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is the art of living life. It relates to how you look and feel mentally as well as physically.
The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit ‘Yuj’ meaning to unite ——- our will with the will of god. It is not merely a set of exercises and postures (asanas), but a complete way of life. It includes various methods to tranquil the mind and control stress by meditation. The science, art and philosophy of yoga serve to evolve every aspect of the human being. It builds upon the foundation of the healthy mind and moves from these into the higher mind.
Maharishi Patanjali describes ‘Yoga’ as the path to the ultimate emancipation of the human being – the eight fold path of Yoga – also known as Ashtanga Yoga. The eight stages of Yoga are :-
1. YAMA (Social Discipline) – It means restraint. It emphasizes on five morals:—
(i)Ashimsa (non-violence), (ii) Satya (truthfulness), (iii) Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmcharya (celibecy) and (v) Asprigraha (non-acquisitiveness).
2. NIYAM ( Individual Discipline). It contains five rules of conduct—both physical and mental-towards oneself.
(i) Shauch (cleaniness-internal and external of the body and mind), (ii) Santosh ( contentment. One lives happily and satisfied), (iii) Tapas (austerity.- conquest of all desires), (iv) Svadhyaya ( self study. exchange of thoughts ), (v) Ishvara parinidhan ( surrender of all action to God)
3. ASNAS ( Postures)- energize the digestive, respiratory and excretory systems and bring stability to the body and vitality to the body and mind . These are simple actions for keeping the internal and external parts of the body in good health and develop resistance power to keep the disease away.
4. PRANAYAM (Breadth Control) – is a process in which respiration is interrupted and pran ( vital force ) is controlled and regulated. It stimulates, regulates and harmonizes vital energy of the body. It purifies the mind. Yoga without Pranayam is not yoga at all. It is essential for purifying the mind. It reduces excess fat. It burns the impurities- both physical and mental.
PRATYAHARA ( Discipline of the senses). It is the process of putting the senses under control.
6. DHARMA ( Concentration ). The practice of dharma helps the mind to concentrate on a particular object- on one’s personal deity or on the individual’s self.
7. DHYANA ( Meditation). Deep concentration destroys the impurities of mind and develops positive vibrations.
8. SAMADHI ( Self realization )- It is the final stage of yoga. It is the stage of supreme happiness- free from pleasure, pain and misery.
The first group of five is called external yoga. The group of last three is called SAMYAMA ( the internal yoga)
The practice of yoga enables a man to attain physical fitness and mental equanimity.
Yoga life style has been found to provide tremendous benefits to patients suffering from heart disease, high-blood pressure, obesity, bronchitis, asthma, arthritis, cervical and lumber pains, tonsillitis, weak eyesight, acidity, indigestion, constipation, hernia etc. Yoga practices destroy the toxins and generate happy thoughts which make for better health.
Allopathic medicines are good for instant cure of acute ailments, but diseases including life style ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart, asthma, obesity, stress—which require treatment over a period of time are better handled by yoga ( and naturopathy).
Yoga begins where western psychology ends. It builds upon the foundation of a healthy mind and moves from there into the higher mind. It keeps the healthy people healthy and cures the sick and prolongs their life. It provides a strong antidote to fatigue. It is an easy form of stress bursting. It provides the best preparation we can make in facing the conditions of life on earth.
Pranayam and Mudras are an integral part of yoga.
Ganeshasana and Shavasana bring prompt and complete relaxation and rest to the muscles and help cure insomnia and various other disorders—– high blood pressure, stress, fatigue…..
Nadi Shodhan and Ujjai Pranayam just before going to bed act as tranquilizers.
Yog Nidra (yoga sleep) when practiced even for a short duration takes away tension and fatigue.
Mritya Sanjivini Mudra regulates complications of heart. Gyan Mudra imparts happiness. Pran Mudra improves vitality and eye sight and energizes the body.
People have reported averted surgeries with pranic healing excercises. Yoga can cure diseases—both physical and mental –without medicines. Yoga provides the best, the easiest and the costless means available to mankind as it embraces physical, mental and spiritual aspects of one’s health.
Yoga makes for better health. With yoga—life span gets longer and healthier.
“The human body is the best picture of the human soul”
–Ludwig Wittgenstein.`
Yoga Paths, an Overview of Different Schools and Traditions Graphic by unknown artist, Yoga comes from connecting to God, just as the word religion means in western context. There are many schools or even called sampradajas with different forms of yoga. All teachings guide an embodied spirit in a non-personal relationship to God. The supreme God head resides in every being in its heart. The native yoga-paths are a part of the Vedic-culture we refer to today a hinduism, but the real importance of Vedic culture seems to be that it has enabled native yoga-paths to stay in the Indian sub-continent unchanged longer than they have in other locations. It seems as if these philosophies were known all over the world. This overview below may help you to find your own path. No form of yoga is better than the other; there are different paths as individuals exist. The common of all forms is the reconnecting, the religion or even yoga with God.
KARMA YOGA (Bhikshu)
Karma Yoga achieves union with God through right action and through service (Bhakti Yoga). Karma Yoga can also be summed up in a statement by Sri Bhagavan Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita:
“Worshipping Him with proper actions, a man attains realization”. One key to Karma Yoga is the performance of right action and service for its own sake, without consideration of the immediate or apparent results. Karma Yoga (Bhikshu) Karma, The Law of Action followed by Reaction (Dinu Roman)
BHAKTI YOGA (div. Authors)
The Yoga of love and devotion. The Way of Transcendent Love which sees the whole universe, animate and inanimate, as being pervaded by divinity. Also very much involved with service (referring Karma Yoga), and way of the heart.)
HATHA YOGA (none)
It is a yoga concerned with physical and energetical purification and training. Its goal is to bring the physical body into a perfect state of health so the soul has a fitting vehicle of expression to work through. It embraces many practices, including physical postures and breathing exercises (pranayama) which also act upon the physical nervous system and etheric body which is considered a corollary aspect of the physical body and brings the vital energies of the physical and etheric bodies under conscious control. Hatha Yoga () Bikram’s Yoga College of India () You my look to healing-section, until I get more information.
KRIYA YOGA:
Kriya Yoga: The Original Kriya Science (Swami Satyeswarananda Giri) Kriya Yoga: a bridge between inner and the outer world (Swami Janakananda) Lahiri Mahasay 100 Year Mahasamadhi Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School, () Independent School of yoga, tantra and meditation. Founded in 1970 by Swami Janakananda. Kriya Yoga Ashram () The Original, Authentic Kriya Yoga of Babaji, Yogiraj Lahiri Baba, Shri Yukteshwar, and Paramahamsa Hariharananda. Babaji’s Kriya Yoga () Babaji Nagaraj, the great Himalayan master, offers to sincere seekers the opportunity to learn his “Kriya Yoga”, the scientific art of perfect God-Truth Union. Yogananda Self Realization Fellowship () Famous Kriya Yoga approach by Paramahansa Yoganada Ananda Church of self Realization (Ananda) Founded in 1968 by Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, is not affiliated with Self-Realization Fellowship. Personal experiences: An Enlightening Experience (Jon Locke)
ASTANGA YOGA (eightfold yoga-path):
Yama
Niyama
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dhyana
Samadhi
SIDDHA YOGA
Siddha Mahayoga FAQ (Kurt Keutzer) The Lineage of Swami Shivom Tirth (Narayan Prakash) Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityananda () Siddha Yoga (SYDA) ()
RAJA YOGA
The Living Tradition of Sahaj Marg (Clark Powell) Sahaj Marg: System of Raja Yoga (yoga of mind) Sahaj Marg: System of Raja Yoga Meditation () Sahaj Marg Meditation by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, old site Foundation for International Spiritual Enfoldment () FISU is Europe’s leading Foundation for Meditation and Spiritual Unfoldment dedicated to promote and propagate the teachings of Gururaj Ananda Yogi under the Spiritual Guidance of Rajesh Ananda. Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University () Living Values: A Guide Book. (div. connected sites Mary Joneve McCormick: Raja Yoga)
SAHAJA YOGA:
Sahaja Yoga – An Unique Discovery (Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi) An introduction to Sahaja Yoga Sahaja Yoga: Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi () In the year 1970, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi introduced for the first time a simple, yet powerful method of spiritual ascent, whereby one’s natural balance and integration can be easily achieved.
SURAT SHABD OR NADA YOGA
Surat Shabd Yoga: Sant Ajaib Singh () Path of the Masters, Surat Shabd Yoga, Master Sant Ajaib Singh Soami Divyanand Spiritual Foundation () Sant Mat branch, Inner Light and Sound Meditation Science of Spirituality () Science of Spirituality is a non-profit, non-sectarian, international spiritual organization under the direction of Sant Rajinder Singh Quan Yin Method (Master Ching Hai) The
Quan Yin Method () Eckankar () Religion of the Light and Sound of God
KUNDALINI YOGA
Kundalini () Kundalini related info and texts Dhyanyoga Center (Dan Mc Donald) Kundalini Maha Yoga. is an ancient universal science, perfected over thousands of years. Anandi Ma is an advanced disciple of Dhyanyogi and one of few people who can perform Skaktipat. Through Shaktipat the disciple can excel quickly in their spiritual journey towards Self Realization – Enlightenment. Shoshoni Yoga Retreat () Shoshoni Yoga Retreat is the mountain home of Swami hambhavananda, an adept yogi who has given many people an experience of their true nature. The Yogi Bhajan Site () introduction to Yogi Bhajan, Master of Kundalini Yoga and Mahan Tantric. Includes International Directory of Kundalini Yoga Centers and Teachers, listing of reteats and events and a bazaar of products and services for health, healing and happiness.
TANTRA YOGA
Tantra, The Left Hand Path of Love (Dinu Roman) Introduction article Hindu Tantrik Home Page (Mike Magee) The Tantrik Tradition, The Natha Sampradaya, and misc associated material on Tantra. Ananda Marga () Holistic form of tantra yoga Sacred Sexuality List Tantra.com Tantric and esoteric sexuality, sacred sex and sexual enhancement. The site also includes information and workshop schedules from the leading teachers of Tantra and sacred sexuality, a question and answer forum. The Church of Tantra (tantra.org) Osho: Science of Meditation (osho.org)
AGNI YOGA
Agni Yoga is a synthesis of all yogas, especially Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga. Agni is the Sanskrit word for Fire–the Creative Fire of the Cosmos–the Fire that is found in varying degrees at the foundation of all Yogas.
MANTRA YOGA
Mantra Yoga finds union with God through the proper use of speech and sound. It is the power of the word to create or destroy that Mantra Yoga emphasizes. It utilizes the focus intent to make every word you speak be in harmony with God and with your own soul. […]
YANTRA YOGA
Yantra Yoga is the path of union with God thorough geometric visualization. A yantra is a geometric design. They are highly efficient tools for contemplation, concentration, and meditation.
LAYA YOGA
ASPARSHA YOGA
SANKIRTAN YOGA
SHIVA YOGA
TARAKA YOGA
LAMBIKA YOGA
SAPTA YOGA
Sapta Yoga is based on the ancient Yogic text, the “Gheranda Samhita.” It is both a spiritual practice and a therapeutic art, successful in removing the causes of numerous diseases highly resistant to orthodox Western healing methods. It is taught by Yogacharya Dr. Sushil Bhattacharya, director of the Patanjali Yoga Center in Kathmandu , .
INTEGRAL YOGA
Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo (Govindachari Raghunath) “Integral Yoga” of Sri Aurobindo, the revolutionary saint of India who lived during 1872-1950.
YOGA OF SYNTHESIS
(Karma-, Bhakti-, Jnana and Raja Yoga) SRYA, School for Research in Yoga and Ayurveda () A non-profit organisation, “Yoga of Synthesis” (Karma-, Bhakti-, Jñana and Raja Yoga) and “Yoga and Ayurveda” (Yoga-chikitsa or Yoga-therapy and medical science of Ayurveda), developed by Sri Chandrasekhar. Ashram on the Internet () Spiritual group founded by Sri Sivananda-Valentina. Non-profit spiritual organization dedicated to spreading its Guru’s Teachings. Arhatic Yoga (Unicorn) Arhatic Yoga is called the “Yoga of Synthesis.” It deals with the activation of the chakras, and the awakening of the kundalini through a systematic and safe method. Sathya Sai Baba () Sathya Sai Baba is a spiritual leader and world teacher, whose life and message are inspiring millions of people throughout the world to turn Godward and to lead more purposeful and moral lives. Teaches a synthesis of different Yoga Paths. Yoga in Daily Life () Yoga in Daily Life – a holistic system for (re)gaining the physical, mental, social and spiritual health, founded by Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda.
YOGA SAMPLE LESSONS:
The Self, Maya, and the Heart (Maya Samara) Essay on Self, Maya, and the Heart, non-dualism in vedic scriptures and christian scriptures Mundaka Upanishad (Eduardo Gomez) ISA Upanishad (Eduardo Gomez) Diary of Awareness, Kundalini and Life (Roger Hamstra) Free of Illusion (Moribah Jah) The Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali (Alice A. Bailey) (If you have sample transcript of satsang or general yoga-teaching, let me know).
