Definitions of Yoga

Yoga

Yoga (Sanskrit: योग, "union of atman (individual Self) with paramåtma (Universal Self)") derived from the root yuj, "to join, to unite, to attach" — spiritual practices performed primarily as a means to enlightenment (or bodhi). Traditionally, Karma Yoga (through action), Bhakti Yoga (through devotion), jñåna-yoga (through knowledge), and dhyåna-yoga (through meditation) are considered the four main yogas. In the West, yoga has become associated with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga, popular as fitness exercises. Yoga has many other meaning. For example, in astronomy and astrology it refers to a conjunction (union) of planets.

Definitions of Yoga"Yoga is the control of the whirls of the mind (citta)."—Yoga-Sûtra (1.2)"Yoga is skill in [the performance of] actions."—Bhagavad-Gîtâ (2.50)"Yoga is ecstasy (samâdhi)."—Yoga-Bhâshya (1.1)"Yoga is said to be the oneness of breath, mind, and senses, and the abandonment of all states of existence."—Maitrî-Upanishad (6.25)"Yoga is the union of the individual psyche (jîva-âtman) with the transcendental Self (parama-âtman). —Yoga-Yâjnavalkya (1.44)"Yoga is said to be the unification of the web of dualities (dvandva-jâla)."—Yoga-Bîja (84)"Yoga is known as the disconnection (viyoga) of the connection (samyoga) with suffering."— Bhagavad-Gîtâ (6.23)"Yoga is said to be control."—Brahmânda-Purâna (2.3.10.115)"Yoga is the separation (viyoga) of the Self from the World-Ground (prakriti)."—Râja-Mârtanda (1.1)"Yoga is said to be the unity of exhalation and inhalation and of blood and semen, as well as the union of sun and moon and of the individual psyche with the transcendental Self."— Yoga-Shikhâ-Upanishad (1.68-69)"This they consider Yoga: the steady holding of the senses."—Katha-Upanishad(6.11)"Yoga is called balance (samatva)."—Bhagavad-Gîtâ (2.48)

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7 Principle YogaYoga is a profound tradition, which has a history of 5,000 or more years. Beginners are easily overwhelmed by the vastness and richness of Yoga's practice, philosophy, and literature. But there are a few underlying principles that, once grasped, provide easier access to all the numerous aspects of Yoga. Here are ten such fundamental principles.
Râja-Yoga is the “Royal Yoga” aiming at liberation through meditation, which is for practitioners who are capable of intense concentration—the eightfold path of Patanjali’s ashta-anga-yoga, also called “Classical Yoga”
Hatha-Yoga is the “Forceful Yoga” aiming at liberation through physical transformation
Jnâna-Yoga is the “Wisdom of Yoga” aiming at liberation through the steady application of higher wisdom that clearly discerns between the real and the unreal
Karma-Yoga is the “Action Yoga” aiming at liberation through self-transcending service
Bhakti-Yoga is the “Devotional Yoga” aiming at liberation through self-surrender in the face of the Divine
Tantra-Yoga is the “Continuity Yoga” aiming at liberation through ritual, visualization, subtle energy work, and the perception of the identity (or continuity) of the ordinary world and the transcendental Reality
Mantra-Yoga is the “Yoga of Potent Sound” aiming at liberation through the recitation (aloud or mental) of empowered sounds (such as om, hûm, ram, hare krishna, etc.)—often considered an aspect of Tantra-Yoga

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Branches or Types of Yoga
The following is a descriptive list of forty yogic approaches or features of the path. Not all of these form full-fledged branches or types of Yoga, but they represent at least emphases in diverse contexts. All of them are instructive insofar as they demonstrate the vast scope of Hindu Yoga.

Abhâva-Yoga
The unitive discipline of nonbeing, meaning the higher yogic practice of immersion into the Self without objective support such as mantras; a concept found in the Purânas; cf. Bhâva-Yoga

Adhyâtma-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the inner self; sometimes said to be the Yoga characteristic of the Upanishads

Agni-Yoga
The unitive discipline of fire, causing the awakening of the serpent power (kundalinî-shakti) through the joint action of mind (manas) and life force (prâna)

Ashtânga-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the eight limbs, i.e., Râja-Yoga or Pâtanjala-Yoga

Asparsha-Yoga
The unitive discipline of "noncontact," which is the nondualist Yoga propounded by Gaudapâda in his Mândûkya-Kârikâ; cf. Sparsha-Yoga

Bhakti-Yoga
The unitive discipline of love/devotion, as expounded, for instance, in the Bhagavad-Gîtâ, the Bhâgavata-Purâna, and numerous other scriptures of Shaivism and Vaishnavism

Buddhi-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the higher mind, first mentioned in the Bhagavad-Gîtâ

Dhyâna-Yoga
The unitive discipline of meditation

Ghatastha-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the "pot" (ghata), meaning the body; a synonym for Hatha-Yoga mentioned in the Gheranda-Samhitâ

Guru-Yoga
The unitive discipline relative to one's teacher

Hatha-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the force (meaning the serpent power or kundalinî-shakti); or forceful unitive discipline

Hiranyagarbha-Yoga
The unitive discipline of Hiranyagarbha ("Golden Germ"), who is considered the original founder of the Yoga tradition

Japa-Yoga
The unitive discipline of mantra recitation

Jnâna-Yoga
The unitive discipline of discriminating wisdom, which is the approach of the Upanishads

Karma-Yoga
The unitive discipline of self-transcending action, as first explicitly taught in the Bhagavad-Gîtâ

Kaula-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the Kaula school, a Tantric Yoga

Kriyâ-Yoga
The unitive discipline of ritual; also the combined practice of asceticism (tapas), study (svâdhyâya), and worship of the Lord (îshvara-pranidhâna) mentioned in the Yoga-Sûtra of Patanjali

Kundalinî-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the serpent power (kundalinî-shakti), which is fundamental to the Tantric tradition, including Hatha-Yoga

Lambikâ-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the "hanger," meaning the uvula, which is deliberately stimulated in this yogic approach to increase the flow of "nectar" (amrita) whose external aspect is saliva

Laya-Yoga
The unitive discipline of absorption or dissolution of the elements prior to their natural dissolution at death

Mahâ-Yoga
The great unitive discipline, a concept found in the Yoga-Shikhâ-Upanishad where it refers to the combined practice of Mantra-Yoga, Laya-Yoga, Hatha-Yoga, and Râja-Yoga

Mantra-Yoga
The unitive discipline of numinous sounds that help protect the mind, which has been a part of the Yoga tradition ever since Vedic times

Nâda-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the inner sound, a practice closely associated with original Hatha-Yoga

Pancadashânga-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the fifteen limbs (pancadasha-anga): (1) moral discipline (yama), (2) restraint (niyama), (3) renunciation (tyâga), (4) silence (mauna), (5) right place (desha), (6) right time (kâla), (7) posture (âsana), (8) root lock (mûla-bandha), (9) bodily equilibrium (deha-samya), (10) stability of vision (dhrik-sthiti), (11) control of the life force (prâna-samrodha), (12) sensory inhibition (pratyâhâra), (13) concentration (dhâranâ), (14) meditation upon the Self (âtma-dhyâna), and (15) ecstasy (samâdhi)

Pâshupata-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the Pâshupata sect, as expounded in some of the Purânas

Pâtanjala-Yoga
The unitive discipline of Patanjali, better known as Râja-Yoga or Yoga-Darshana

Pûrna-Yoga
The unitive discipline of wholeness or integration, which is the name of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga

Râja-Yoga
The royal unitive discipline, also called Pâtanjala-Yoga, Ashtânga-Yoga, or Râja-Yoga

Samâdhi-Yoga
The unitive discipline of ecstasy

Sâmkhya-Yoga
The unitive discipline of insight, which is the name of certain liberation teachings and schools referred to in the Mahâbhârata

Samnyâsa-Yoga
The unitive discipline of renunciation, which is contrasted against Karma-Yoga in the Bhagavad-Gîtâ

Samputa-Yoga
The unitive discipline of sexual congress (maithunâ) in Tantra-Yoga

Samrambha-Yoga
The unitive discipline of hatred, as mentioned in the Vishnu-Purâna, which illustrates the profound yogic principle that one becomes what one constantly contemplates (even if charged with negative emotions)

Saptânga-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the seven limbs (sapta-anga), also known as Sapta-Sâdhana in the Gheranda-Samhitâ: (1) six purificatory practices (shat-karma), (2) posture (âsana), (3) seal (mudrâ), (4) sensory inhibition (pratyâhâra), (5) breath control (prânâyâma), (6) meditation (dhyâna), and (7) ecstasy (samâdhi)
Shadanga-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the six limbs (shad-anga), as expounded in the Maitrâyanîya-Upanishad: (1) breath control (prânâyâma), (2) sensory inhibition (pratyâhâra), (3) meditation (dhyâna), (4) concentration (dhâranâ), (5) examination (tarka), and (6) ecstasy (samâdhi)

Siddha-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the adepts, a concept found in some of the Tantras

Sparsha-Yoga
The unitive discipline of contact; a Vedantic Yoga mentioned in the Shiva-Purâna, which combines mantra recitation with breath control; cf. Asparsha-Yoga

Tantra-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the Tantras, a kundalinî-based Yoga

Târaka-Yoga
The unitive discipline of the "deliverer" (târaka); a medieval Yoga based on light phenomena

Yantra-Yoga
The unitive discipline of focusing the mind upon geometric representations (yantra) of the cosmos.

A Success Story of American Football Player

Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. (born May 21, 1977) is a former American football running back who played eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Williams is a qualified yoga instructor. He has stated that one of his main reasons for joining the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts was for the opportunity to teach free yoga lessons at a local Toronto yoga facility. It has been reported that Williams uses a Hindu-based pranic healing similar to therapeutic touch to recover from injuries.

Williams is vegan or at least has a meat-free diet. Tim Graham has reported that Greek yogurt is the only non-vegan food in Williams' diet.PETA has used video of him praising meatless alternatives to popular chicken dishes.

He was a marijuana addict before but reports indicate that he is a changed man, and he credits that to his spirituality.

Welcoming well known American football player Ricky Williams to Hinduism fold, Hindus have suggested inclusion of yoga into practice routine of National Football League (NFL) teams. Noted Hindu statesman Rajan Zed applauded Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams Jr., running back for the Miami Dolphins of NFL, for turning his life around and resurrecting his career reportedly through spirituality, yoga, meditation and ayurveda. His spiritual journey, which reportedly transformed him to a healthy warrior at the ripe age of 33, could prove inspiring to other players. He reportedly visited India, and is vegetarian and a certified yoga instructor. Name of one of his daughters is Asha and he has reportedly learnt selfless action and humility from Hinduism.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, says that many American athletes are reportedly adopting yoga practice. Yoga reportedly makes a great complement to athletic training and various types of athletes are incorporating the practice into their training for bettering sports performance by improving flexibility and functional strength, building muscle energy and stamina, preventing sports injuries, dealing with stress, overcoming back pain, improving breathing and focusing, increasing endurance, etc. Rajan Zed stressed that yoga was a mental and physical discipline and could prove highly rewarding to NFL players. Yoga, referred as "a living fossil", was one of the six systems of orthodox Hindu philosophy. According to Patanjali, author of the basic text Yoga Sutra who codified yoga, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

Ray Lewis, famous American football linebacker from Baltimore Ravens, reportedly told the Chicago (USA) media: "I'm talking about an hour-and-a-half yoga classes at times. And the crazy part about it is, once you actually get into it a good two or three times, you really miss if you don't do it. It stretches you that much."

Hindus Applaud Vernon School Offering Yoga

Hindus have applauded Vernon Board of Education in Connecticut for approval of offering yoga to fourth graders in its Maple Street School, and have urged all schools in USA to do the same for their pupils.

According to reports, Board of Education of Vernon Public Schools, in its Feb. 25 meeting, approved the proposal to provide yoga Instruction to fourth grade children at Maple Street School in a 5-4 vote, with Chairperson Dean A. Houle favoring to break the tie.

Calling it a “step in the right direction”, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, suggested all schools of the nation to incorporate yoga in the lives of the students, making it part of the curriculum. Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Zed said.

Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

Rajan Zed noted that besides other benefits, yoga might also help deal with the obesity crisis faced by the country. According to United States National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. About 16 million Americans, including many celebrities, now reportedly practice yoga. It was the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed said.


Source: thehartfordguardian.com

OBAMA: White House Embraces Yoga amid Conservative Contortions

Obama on Yekadashi Pooja

The White House announced last week that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will include a ‘yoga garden’ for children and their parents who attend the traditional Easter Egg Roll festivities on Monday. “Come enjoy a session of yoga from professional instructors,” the White House exhorted thousands of workaday Americans parents and their kids from across the country who will troop into the Presidential lawns, reminding participants that the event’s theme is ‘Be Healthy, Be Active, Be You!’

It is not the first time that Obama’s residence has hosted a yoga garden for Easter, but this year’s event is significant because of an ongoing lawsuit in California challenging the teaching of yoga in schools. In fact, the case came up for hearing in a San Diego courtroom on Thursday with a mirthful opening.

In an indication of how deep-rooted mainstream yoga has become in the US, it turned out that the presiding judge himself is a yoga practitioner. “Does anybody have a problem with that?” San Diego Superior Court Judge John Meyer was reported asking at the start of the case.


Dean Broyles, representing parents suing the Encinitas Union School District in a lawsuit that has gained international attention, said he was fine with Meyer presiding over the case if the judge can keep an open mind about the plaintiff’s argument regarding spiritual connections to yoga, according to reports in the local media.

At the heart of the case is the argument by some parents that yoga is inherently religious, a contention most Americans, including the judge, seem to disagree with. Judge Meyer is reported to be a practitioner of Bikram Yoga, likening it to simple stretching exercises. “If you think there’s something spiritual about what I do, that’s news to me,” he was quoted as saying.

The White House meanwhile is stretching every muscle and sinew to get Americans, including children, to get more concerned about the decline in the nation’s overall well-being and its soaring healthcare bill. The drive is led by Michelle Obama, a health and fitness, and herself a yoga enthusiast.

The yoga garden is conducted by Leah Cullis, a certified yoga teacher who the White House reached out to in 2009 as soon when the Obamas came to office. Cullis, whose husband, event producer John Liipfert, handled Obama’s Presidential inauguration, selects yoga instructors from all over the US to put parents and children through basic yoga drills.

“The mission of the event is to share ways where families and children can use simple tools for an active lifestyle — tools that require no props and no money and which they can go home and do it themselves,” Cullis told TOI, speaking of her association with the White House initiative.

In fact, the White House has taken its yoga drive one step- or one stretch — further. It has now initiated a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award  (PALA), a Obama White House Challenge designed to motivate Americans to make physical activity and healthy eating part of their everyday life. In embracing the practice, the White House also dismissed any specific religious connotation sought to be attached to yoga.

“Yoga has become a universal language of spiritual exercise in the United States, crossing many lines of religion and cultures,” the White House said without any reference to the ongoing controversies and lawsuit. “Every day, millions of people practice yoga to improve their health and overall well-being. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take part in PALA, so show your support for yoga and answer the challenge.”

Among the invitees for the White House Easter Monday festivities is Ajai Dhadwal, an Indian-American field hockey player, who had represented the US.



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Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

The Fourth Chakra: Love

The Fourth Chakra: Love

Anahata Chakra, meaning "not struck," is located at the heart (center of the chest). It is symbolized by the color green and a lotus with 12 petals. Its issues are love, acceptance, and trust. Anahata is the center of compassion, and a positive balance in the heart chakra would be showing sensitivity and unconditional love for self and others. It is related to the immune and endocrine systems.

Affirmation:
May I be free to feel my true feelings, desires, and passions and be at home in my heart.

Yoga Poses to Activate this Chakra:
Fish 
Standing yoga mudra 
Pigeon 
Camel 
Standing backbend 
Prayer twist

Yoga Practices to Activate this Chakra:
Mudra: Hridaya and Anjali
Mantra: Yam
Meditation: Heart Chakra Meditation
Yoga Path: Bhakti

The Third Chakra: Power Chakra

The Third Chakra: Power Chakra

Anahata Chakra, meaning "not struck," is located at the heart (center of the chest). It is symbolized by the color green and a lotus with 12 petals. Its issues are love, acceptance, and trust. Anahata is the center of compassion, and a positive balance in the heart chakra would be showing sensitivity and unconditional love for self and others. It is related to the immune and endocrine systems.

Affirmation:
May I be free to feel my true feelings, desires, and passions and be at home in my heart.

Yoga Poses to Activate this Chakra:
Fish 
Standing yoga mudra 
Pigeon 
Camel 
Standing backbend 
Prayer twist

Yoga Practices to Activate this Chakra:
Mudra: Hridaya and Anjali
Mantra: Yam
Meditation: Heart Chakra Meditation
Yoga Path: Bhakti

The Second Chakra: Sensual

The Second Chakra: Sensual

Svadhisthana (sweetness), or Sacral Chakra, is located at the lower abdomen between the belly button and pubic bone. It is symbolized by the color orange and a lotus with six petals, and its issues are creativity, pleasure/pain, relationships, and emotions. A positive balance in the Svadhisthana Chakra would be represented by stability in one's sexuality, sensuality, and emotions. It is related to the reproductive system.

Affirmation:
May I be at home and at ease in my body, and find balance in my relationships between myself (or my self) and others.

Yoga Poses to Activate this Chakra:

Cobra Boat Seated forward bend Supine bound angle Dog Cat Puppy Seated angle Balancing bear Frog

Yoga Practices to Activate this Chakra:

Pranayama: Dirga and Kapalabhati
Mudra: Yoni
Mantra: Vam
Bandha: Uddiyana Bandha
Yoga Path: Tantra

The Flow of Prana

The Flow of Prana

The foundation of all life, of the whole universe, is the subtle life force energy that yogis call "prana." This mystical energy flows through our bodies and generates our every action – from gross physical movements to minute biochemical processes.

Prana comes into the body from the food we eat, the air we breathe, and from absorbing the energies of the earth and heavens. Prana travels through thousands of tiny channels called nadis to every cell in the body. The three main nadis in the body are the ida, pingala and sushumna, which all start at the base of the spine and travel upwards to the head. The ida and pingala nadis crisscross each other as they spiral upwards and connect to opposite nostrils, while the sushumna travels straight up the spine to the crown of the head. The chakras are located where the ida and pingala cross each other and intersect with the sushumna. The chakras connect with the thousands of minor nadis and are thus responsible for the distribution and circulation of prana throughout the whole body.

Normally, prana is restricted from flowing through the sushumna by locks above each chakra. These locks primarily function to stop the activation and flow of kundalini, the transcending potential energy coiled at the base of the spine, from entering the sushumna and rising to the crown chakra.

Hatha yoga was developed to circulate, cultivate, and control prana, and to activate and channel kundalini up the sushumna nadi to the crown chakra. Asana cultivates and circulates prana in the body and strengthens the nadis. Pranayama, the use of various breathing techniques, controls and cultivates the prana and purifies the nadis. Bandhas are energetic locks that contain the prana in the torso and concentrate it in the three main nadis. Mudras regulate and channel prana into the chakras and arouse the kundalini prana. By cultivating, controlling, and activating prana and kundalini, hatha yoga aims to liberate the mind and expand consciousness.

ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA

ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA 

1. From Bound Angle or Easy pose, extend the right leg straight out in front of you, cross the left leg over the right, placing the left foot flat on the floor close to the right knee.
2. Wrap the right arm around the left knee and pull the knee in towards your chest. Press down through the hips and up through the crown to lengthen the spine.
3. Inhale the left hand up and as you exhale reach the arm around your back placing the palm on the floor fingers facing back. Press the arm into the back to keep the back straight. Look over the left shoulder towards the back wall. For a deeper twist, place the right elbow to the inside of the left knee.
4. As you inhale press the hips down and reach the crown up to lengthen the spine. As you exhale use the arms to gently deepen the twist. Relax the shoulders down and press the chest open.
5. Breathe and hold for 4-7 breaths.
6. To release: inhale the left hand up and exhale untwisting the body, facing the front. Repeat other side.

Benefits + Contraindications
Benefits: Half Lord of the Fishes pose opens, lengthens, nourishes and realigns the spine. This pose stimulates the nervous, digestive and reproductive systems.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic hip, back or shoulder injury or inflammation.

Modifications + Variations
Modifications: Place a yoga block under the hand behind your back.

Variations: A) For a deeper twist, try Ardha Matsyendrasana B instead.

BADDHA KONASANA - Bound Angle Yoga Pose

BADDHA KONASANA

Instructions

1. From a seated position, bring the bottoms of the feet together with the knees bent out to the sides, and interlace the fingers around the toes.
2. Inhale and press the hips down and reach the crown of the head up towards the ceiling. Drop the shoulders down and back and press the chest towards the front. Press the knees down towards the floor to open the hips.
3. Keeping the back flat and the chest open, exhale and gently pull your torso forward. Close the eyes and stare up at the third eye / sixth chakra.
4. Breathe and hold for 3-8 breaths.

Benefits + Contraindications
Benefits: Bound angle opens the hips and chest, lengthens the spine and stimulates the reproductive, nervous and respiratory systems.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic knee or hip injury or inflammation.

Modifications + Variations
Modifications: A) Place folded blanket under the hip bones. B) Place folded blanket under the knees.

Variations:  A) Round the back, bringing the forehead towards the toes, relaxing the head and neck.  B) Slide the feet 1-2 feet forward and bring the arms under the ankles and interlace the fingers around the toes. Round forward, pulling the forehead towards the toes with the arms.

SUKHASANA - Easy Yoga Pose

SUKHASANA

Instructions
1. Come into a seated position with the buttocks on the floor, then cross the legs, placing the feet directly below the knees. Rest the hands on the knees or the lap with the palms facing up or down.

Optional: Use a hand mudra while seated in the posture.

2. Press the hip bones down into the floor and reach the crown of the head up to lengthen the spine. Drop the shoulders down and back, and press the chest towards the front of the room.

3. Relax the face, jaw, and belly. Let the tongue rest on the roof of the mouth, just behind the front teeth.

4. Breathe deeply through the nose down into the belly. Hold as long as comfortable.

Benefits + Contraindications
Benefits: Easy pose is a comfortable seated position for meditation. This pose open the hips, lengthens the spine and promotes groundedness and inner calm.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic knee or hip injury or inflammation.

Modifications + Variations
Modifications: Place folded blanket under knees or under the hip bones.

Variations: This pose is very similar to Accomplished pose, Siddhasana.