Yoga is freedom. It is love. It is pure, radiant, unobstructed joy. It
is pure awareness, wide-awake and clear.

~ Richard Freeman, director of The Yoga Workshop, in Boulder, CO

Here in the United States, on the cusp of 2006, just about everyone has heard the word “yoga.” For many if not most, the word conjures images of scantily-clad beings with expanding and twisting limbs: a well-worn “scene” in health clubs, retreat centers, and yoga spaces throughout the country. In other words, it brings to mind the practice of asana ~ sequences of physical movements and postures ~ which, as it turns out, represent just a tiny slice of the entire “pie” that is the Yoga Tradition(s) of the larger world (universe, cosmos). Now there’s nothing wrong with the practice of asana (I do it myself, and find it quite wonderful!), but it might be useful to be able to place this particular aspect of yoga onto its larger “map” ~ to have a sense of the tradition(s) from which it arises and to which it returns, and to understand asana to be just one of many possible entry-points into this vast and beautiful territory. So let’s explore …

The word Yoga originates from the Sanskrit word Yuj (literally, “to yoke”) and is generally translated as “union” or “integration” — to yoke, attach, join, or unite. The “union” referred to here is that of the individual soul with the cosmos, the Supreme; of the small “self” of ego/individual identity with the larger “Self” or “Spirit” of which we’ll all a part. But what does this mean? And how to we get there?! It is in the quest to answer these questions that the various Yoga traditions have arisen.

Perhaps the broadest categorization within the world of Yoga is along the lines of the great spiritual traditions of the world, and in particular, their mystical wings/branches: Those within these traditions who identify as “mystics” are seeking yoga, or direct (unmediated) union, with the Divine. Examples of Yoga at this level include: Buddhist Yoga (e.g. the “six Yogas of Naropa”); Taoist Yoga (commonly known as Qigong ~ the basis for all of the martial & healing arts with origins in China); and the Yogas associated with the so-called “Hindu” traditions of India.

The practice of asana, as it’s best known in this country, falls into the last of these categories: the Hindu Yoga traditions. But this tradition itself has numerous aspects. One way of looking at it is through the lens of “The Six Yoga Systems,” which can be understood as six different doorways, entry-points, portals, or vehicles through which a practitioner might approach, engage with, and enter the territory of Yoga.

The Six Yoga Systems

1.Hatha Yoga is the category under which asana falls. One way of translating the word “Hatha” is to break it into two parts: “ha”=sun and “tha”=moon. Sun and moon, in this context, refer to the two opposite currents that regulate all processes in our body: the “masculine” and the “feminine,” or ~ in terms of subtle anatomy, the pingala and the , the two nadis, or channels of energy, whose union within the central channel of the shushumna nadi is ~ for those practicing in this tradition, the very definition of Yoga. Aside from being, in the way described above, a vehicle for mystical union, the asanas ~ on a more mundane level ~ are great for improving health & strengthening the nervous system … and this is understood to be the first and a necessary step along this path. Forms of Hatha Yoga being practiced in the United States today include: Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar, Kripalu, Bikrams, and Anusara (to name just a few!).

2.Raja (royal) Yoga is often referred to as the “crown of Hatha Yoga.” What makes it the “crown” is its addition ~ to the physical practices of Hatha Yoga ~ of a kind of mental training intended to improve concentration to the point at which it flows into meditation and, finally, samadhi (which is, for this tradition, the ultimate definition of Yoga). Raja Yoga is known also as Ashtanga (eight-limbed) Yoga. These eight limbs include:

1. Yamas, or Restraints (harmlessness, truthfulness, non-stealing, control of senses)

2. Niyamas, or Disciplines (cleanliness, purification of body, mind and nervous system, study of metaphysical principles, contemplation on God)

3. Asanas or Postures

4. Pranayama, or Un-binding of breath and life-currents

5. Pratyahara, or Turning the attention within, by reversing the flow of the energy of the sense organs

6. Dharana, or Concentration

7. Dhyana, or Meditation, i.e. prolonged periods of perfect concentration and contemplation

8. Samadhi, or Mystical Union

The exposition of Raja Yoga is contained, most famously, in the sage Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

3. Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of Devotion, of love for the Divine in its embodied forms. Radha and the other Gopis are ~ in their relationship to Krishna ~ the archetypal, quintessential Bhaktas, for it is through their love and devotion and delight in the presence of Krishna that they come to know themselves as Divine. Selfless love, compassion, humility, and purity, along with this desire and serious intention to merge with God, are qualities which are cultivated along this path. (Amachi, Shree Ma, and Karunamayi are three contemporary Teachers of this path.)

4.Jnana Yoga (the Yoga of Knowledge) is a Yoga that uses the intellect as a tool to understand that our true Self is behind and beyond our mind. It is, in other words, a path which uses the power of the intellect to ~ ultimately ~ free us from conceptual elaboration of all sorts, and allow us to relax within the space beyond all concepts of mind. For the purpose of this sort of Self-discovery, Jnana Yoga probes the nature of the Self through the question “Who am I?” Thus Jnana Yoga is sometimes called the Quest for the Self or the Inquiry into “who we are.” (Shankara ~ a yogi “claimed” by the Buddhist as well as the Hindu traditions ~ and, more recently, Ramana Maharshi are two well-known practitioners of Jnana Yoga.)

5.Kriya Yoga is a yogic system covering a wide range of techniques, including mantras and techniques of meditation for control of the life-force (prana). The term “Kriya” is often used in reference to (intended or spontaneous) actions which free the body and/or mind of obstructions. The goal ~ as in all forms of Yoga ~ is to unite with pure Awareness (God). Since pure Awareness is our original condition, it is also, within this system, referred to as Self-awareness. (Yogananda’s Self-Realization Fellowship is one example of a modern organization devoted to this form of practice.)

6.Karma Yoga is the Yoga of work/action, of selfless service. Practitioners of Karma Yoga engage whole-heartedly in the “mundane” work of the world, for the benefit of all fellow human (and non-human) beings, and devote the fruits of their labors to the Divine. In this action of letting go of hope/fear around future outcomes, attention is brought more and more completely into the present moment, which is the Heart of the Divine. And so in giving away all fruits of labor, the practitioner ~ paradoxically ~ receives, continuously, the greatest of gifts, the greatest wealth: the treasure-house called Yoga, the radiant “aliveness” of the Present Moment.
Yet another way of dividing the Yogic pie (so delicious!) is into the two categories of (1) Yoga as path, which including all the various sadhanas (techniques & practices), schools & historical traditions; and (2) Yoga as fruition, which includes the various siddhis, accomplishments or fruits, of practice, as well as the ultimate “fruit” of Mystical Union itself ~ the final goal ~ which, once received, transcends even the path/fruition polarity. At that point ~ the realized Masters tell us ~ one finds oneself in a place both new and quite familiar … a place eluded to, perhaps, by the Sufi mystic/poet, Jelaluddin Rumi, in this poem of his:

Out beyond ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase each other
doesn’t make any sense.

Hope this overview (my Karma Yoga for the day!) is useful and/or interesting to you … And if you’d like to learn more about these and other Yoga Traditions, one great resource is Georg Feuerstein’s book The Yoga Tradition.

Namaste! (the spark of Divinity in me bows to the spark of Divinity in you!)

Author: Elizabeth Reninger
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you do yoga, you know that it’s seductive. That delicious feeling of stretching from the inside out; that soothing sensation like warm honey flowing through energized limbs; and the “big payoff” at the end of a practice: floating away into the infinite. You can’t access this in pictures, and yoga isn’t a spectator sport. The real experience is only available to you if you actually do yoga.

Yoga is not just about the beautiful bodies of diehard yogis and yoginis, although fitness is definitely one of the major payoffs, yoga is a path to that illusive center we are all seeking…it’s a path to inner peace. We’re being drawn to yoga by the thousands because we need it; we crave what yoga offers and deeply need the body-mind-spirit connection we experience when we practice the 5000 year old art of yoga.

Increased strength and flexibility, relief from headaches, back problems, sleep troubles, and stress related issues; deep relaxation, feeling energized, powerful, peaceful and centered… Sounds good? These are only a few of the myriad benefits of a yoga practice. Life is so much easier when we feel comfortable in our bodies, relaxed in spirit and come from a peaceful place of power within. Our days become more enjoyable and more relaxed. Our relationships become deeper and more sensitive. The world seems to be more manageable and, rather than reactive, we become positively proactive.

Many people first come to yoga for physical reasons. They want to find relief from back pain or they want to lose weight. They see the external benefits of a yoga practice, but like sex, the internal experience is what keeps them coming back for more.

“This all sounds good,” you say, “but I haven’t bent forward and touched the floor since I was 12. Sure, seems like a good thing to try, but I haven’t exercised since high school! I’d be embarrassed to be seen in those tight yoga clothes… or worse, in a yoga class. I’d make a fool out of myself!” I’ve heard it all… and there’s always a way. Don’t allow your chattering mind or your fragile ego to keep you from discovering the treasures you’ll find through yoga. Yoga is accessible to everybody. All you need to do is make a decision to go for it.

Regardless of your physical ability, yoga can be adapted to be accessible to you. If you are physically challenged, you can do yoga seated in a chair. Even those who are bedridden can do yoga and we can all benefit greatly from “pranayama,” the yoga of the breath.

Too busy? Weave it into your day with seated stretches at your computer, in the airplane, or while standing in line at the bank. Yoga can be subtle, internal and powerful. As you might suspect, I never take “No” for an answer. There’s always a way to do yoga.

Here are a few tips to ease your entry into the world of yoga:

The first step is commitment. My first yoga class was a rude wake-up call. Every injury I’d ever had was talking to me. I thought I was in pretty good shape at 44, but my body’s ability to do those poses was beyond discouraging… I hated it. There was voice inside my head that screamed, “Get me outta here!” But there was a more persistent little voice inside of me that said, “You don’t have to like this, just do it.” I knew, on some level, that I’d be really sorry if I quit so I made a deal with myself to keep going back to yoga class twice a week for a month. No judgments, no analyzing, no deciding “like it or not.” So I pre-paid the classes and took my body to yoga class. After that month, I was hooked. I highly recommend this approach… It changed my life.

Once you get yourself into yoga class, the next biggest challenge is self-acceptance. A yoga teacher of mine once said, “Begin where you are and stay there.” Wise words, and a big relief! After all, there’s no other place to start than by accepting ourselves right where we are and realizing that we’ll never be exactly there again. Every yoga practice is different because we are different, day-to-day, and minute-to-minute. One of the basic lessons we learn from a yoga practice is not to judge ourselves. For most of us, that’s a hard one. Our culture trains us to be competitive. We want to compare ourselves with each other, with the teacher, and especially with our image of what we think we should be able to do. If you want to enjoy your yoga practice, judge not! Watch yourself from the inside; explore the sensations and the new feelings. Experience yourself from the inside out.

Another big hurdle is overcoming the goal-oriented, “Type A” personality approach to yoga; the attitude that the body must conform to perfection and each pose must be the textbook ideal. Give it up! Not a good idea for a number of reasons. First, no body does perfect poses. Not even the teacher, even though you may think so initially. There is no perfect pose. Yoga is a process, not a goal. The perfect pose for your body is different from the perfect pose for my body, or for any other body. The pose that is most integrated and balanced, that give you the best stretch and honors your body’s limits… that is your perfect pose.

Secondly, yoga is a process of unfoldment. The symbol of yoga is the Thousand Petaled Lotus that keeps opening its petals deeper and deeper toward its center. Every time you do a pose, it will be a bit different, you’ll do it at a different level and from a different place within yourself. Allow for those changes and patiently let yoga bring you to deeper levels of each pose as time goes on. After a while you’ll discover that the real yoga isn’t about the external form of the poses, it’s about how you move the energy in your body to create them from the inside out.

And third, honor your body. It’s not about pushing to your limit in every pose. You’ll really regret that the next day! Yoga shouldn’t hurt, and it’s an inside job as to whether or not you’ll experience pleasure or pain. You are in control here. The teacher talks, you do the yoga with your body. Just as we resist psychologically when we get pushed too far too fast (Oh yeah? Just try to make me!), our bodies resist as well. So honor your body’s limits, don’t push; allow, breathe and soften into the poses.

Keep in mind that there are as many different forms of Hatha Yoga (the physical path of yoga) as there are yoga teachers. Every teacher has a unique teaching style, approach and attitude, even if they have been trained in the same yoga lineage. It’s important to shop around for a teacher who is well trained and one who inspires you. Find the teacher that suits your style and don’t be afraid to go to different classes and change teachers as you develop your yoga practice.

Yoga is an amazing journey of self-discovery. The way you approach your yoga practice is a microcosm of the way you approach your life. It’s a truthful mirror, a deep learning and exploration into the depths of the soul. I wish you blessings on your yoga path and light in your journey back to your most beautiful, authentic self.

Author: Susan Winter Ward
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Online Yoga Videos

There are also online yoga videos available, if you know where to look – but the problem with these are you really don’t want to work on your yoga poses in your office. Yoga video libraries feature many of the important aspects of yoga such as 1.) breathing, 2.) exercises (asanas or poses), and 3.) meditation/relaxation. Many yoga videos include powerful yoga breathing exercises which can be used to balance out many aspects of your life. They also feature guided meditation, which will give you an excellent opportunity to find true relaxation and stress relief.

Hands-On Instruction

Many yoga videos offer hands-on instruction with internationally known yoga instructors right in your own home. Many yoga videos combine techniques from several forms of yoga. Don’t worry if you have trouble finding a yoga video on a specific form – you may do best to purchase based on the instructor and if you think her/his technique and methods are in synch with your own. For example, I started practicing yoga many years ago, but I was learning from someone who was much more interested in the quality of the pose, than in

getting to as many poses as possible in a set period of time. When I went joined a class that was led by a different instructor, it was a disaster, and I gave up.

Videos

Whether you classify DVDs as yoga, yoga-inspired or as fitness videos, they all generally have a genuine intention to impart good health in the end. Rodney Yee’s videos usually feature spectacular views (from Hawaii or similar locations) and his voice is very soothing, you may find you enjoy him as an instructor, or perhaps you prefer a woman instructor. I agree with you that nothing beats attending a yoga class, especially as it being an excellent learning place for beginners, however if you are just starting out, you may find that yoga videos are the best way to get started with yoga and to begin a practice that can change your life. If you travel, you may find that accessing yoga videos online frees you up to practice

anywhere.

There are a great number of videos available, so how do you choose the best yoga video for you. Take your time and make sure that the video is in sync with your own style of yoga, and is not too grueling, or too light. It may take a while to find the perfect balance.

Yoga DVDs

One DVD such as Yoga Burn features poses that ignite the body’s internal furnace with fast, aerobic-paced yoga moves that are designed to help you burn calories and to melt fat. Another DVD: Yoga Legs is geared more toward sculpting leaner, longer legs with dynamic poses that will challenge your balance, your flexibility and your strength.

Yoga Abs

Yoga Abs is another popular title. This video focuses on strengthening and shrinking your midsection using core-focused yoga moves to define a trim, tight tummy. Then there are videos like Yoga Relax, in which you concentrate on quieting your mind, and body with a series of gentle yoga stretches that rejuvenate and refresh your body. There is probably something for everyone interested in yoga in this DVD. Created and led by Rodney Yee the innovative Yoga Burn workout DVD is more physical than most. It combines transitions

between essential yoga moves/poses (asans) with resistance reps to help you gain strength and convert fat into leaner muscle.

Yoga for Pregnant Moms

For the pregnant Mom’s out there, the full length Baby Ready Yoga DVD will guide you through a unique and soothing and strengthening workout with modifications for each trimester. There are also numerous other pregnancy fit yoga workouts; I recently saw one that is included with the Green Baby video and would classify it as excellent.

Children’s Yoga DVDs, Yoga for Back Injuries and other Specialty DVDs

This addition of children’s yoga DVDs to your collection is an excellent alternative to competitive sports. A single DVD focusing on overall basics of traditional yoga is an excellent start. If you want a routine that has overall benefit of well being, think about including a series of exercises that target blood-flow and muscles in and to the head. As many men may not normally be attracted to Yoga, a new program has been developed on DVD by a Southern California Yoga Instructor, who has also suffered traumatic back injury in a car accident.

Yoga Programs – Seated Yoga

There are many different types of yoga programs. For example, there is a gentle exercise program that even teaches you to practice yoga while you are seated! Seated Yoga can make a big difference in helping you to manage your fatigue and that can improve your emotional view of life. There is truly something for everyone in yoga videos. You are certain to find one that fits you perfectly, and you may become so attached to it that you use it every day, giving you an excellent workout in the process.

Author: Brett A Simpson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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www.dashama.com Try bed yoga stretch and breath- to release tension before going to sleep. This sequence is on your belly- so it may help if you have a tummy ache