yoga
|
Introduction |
Yoga is one
of the most ancient cultural heritage of India.
The word Yoga in Sanskrit means “to unite”,
and so yoga can be said to connote a unitive
discipline. In this sense it is an exercise
in moral and mental cultivation that generates
good health (arogya), contributes to longevity
(chirayu), and the total intrinsic discipline
culminates into positive and perennial happiness
and peace. Therefore, yoga is said to be indispensable
of the ultimate accomplishment in life. It is
a science that affects not only the conscious
self but the subconscious as well. It is a practical
physiological training (kriya yoga), which if
practiced can exalt man to the ‘supra mundane
level’. |
What Yoga is not |
| There are too many misconceptions
clouding the science of Yoga. People perceive
it to be some kind of black or white magic, sorcery,
physical or mental debauchery through which miraculous
feats can be performed. For some it is an extremely
dangerous practice which should be limited to
only those who have renounced the world. Few others
think it to be a kind of mental and physical acrobatism
that is compatible only to a Hindu mind. |
| What Yoga really is |
| Yoga is an all-embracing
way of life, a science of self-culture and mental
discipline that ensures the purgation of the ignoble
in man and brings forth what is most noble in
him. It is pertinent to all people irrespective
of his caste, creed, sex, and religion. It can
be beneficial to all - the good and the bad, the
sick and the healthy, the believer and the non-believer,
the literate and the ignorant, the young and the
old. A person may begin at any age and can go
on reaping its benefits. |
| The origin of Yoga |
| Yoga had its genesis in the
wandering ascetics who sought the solitude of
the forests to practice this ancient science and
then imparted their knowledge to the ardent students
(mumuksu) who lived in their ashrams. The ancient
yogins were possessive about this art form and
did not make any effort to popularize yoga. The
yogic postures and the subsequent stages of yoga
were handed down only to the deserving students.
Hence, this science remained limited to the confines
of the forests or remote caves. |
Types of Yoga |
| There are many types of yoga
and these falls basically into two types, the
divisions of classical yoga techniques and the
many modern styles of yoga so these are dealt
with below under these sub headings. |
Classical Yoga Techniques |
These all date back almost
to the origins of yoga, they allow people to
follow the type of yoga that is best suited
to their temperament and life styles. All of
these paths alone can lead the participant to
enlightenment but in practice it is normal for
there to be considerable overlap and parts of
each discipline can be brought into your favoured
path.
- Bhakti Yoga: This is the
yoga of devotion, worship and focused love.
Traditionally the focus could be on a deity
or on ones personal Guru. Westerners who have
strong religious backgrounds would feel comfortable
with this branch of Yoga as it would fit in
with worship in whatever form.
- Hatha Yoga: This is the
form of yoga most familiar in the west, it
is the main stay of the majority of yoga classes
in the UK. The word Hatha is made up of "ha"
meaning Sun and "tha" meaning Moon
representing the positive and negative energy
flows in the body. Hatha yoga regulates and
balances these energy flows. Hatha Yoga involves
the physical posture work, the breath control
(Pranayam) and prepares the body for meditation.
- Jnana Yoga: This is the
path of spiritual knowledge and wisdom and
would suit someone who had an intellectual
temperament.
- Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga
is the path of selfless service, of working
or performing actions without seeking any
reward. Most yoga ashrams have periods of
"Karma Yoga" when those staying
at the ashram can help with daily tasks.
- Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini
yoga aims to awaken the potential energies
at the base of the spine (Symbolised as a
coiled snake) and direct this energy upwards
through the spine and the Chakras thus bringing
about increasing degrees of enlightenment.
When the energy reaches the head (Sahasrara
Chakra) then intuitive enlightenment is triggered.
- Mantra Yoga: Mantra Yoga
involves the practice of chanting words or
phrases repeatedly either aloud or internally
thus influencing the consciousness. The rhythmic
repetition of mantras is called Japa.
- Raja Yoga: Raja yoga means
Royal yoga and is associated with the yoga
of Patanjali who promulgated the Yoga Sutras,
here he lists the eightfold path or the eight
limbs of yoga. These are :-
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara,
Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
Yama (Abstentions) are:-
Non Violence, Truthfulness, Non Stealing,
Purity, Avoidance of Greed.
Niyama (Observances) are :-
Cleanliness, Contentment, Austerity, Study
or Wisdom, Devotion to the Divine.
Asana (Postures):-
The physical posture work familiar in most
yoga classes.
Pranayama (Breath Control):-
Control of breath and direction of Prana (Life
Force Energy) within the body.
Pratyahara (sense withdrawal):-
Detaching the mind from the 5 senses
Dharana (Concentration):-
Holding the mind on a particular object or
thought, Single pointed awareness.
Dhyana (Meditation):-
Prolonged concentration to the point where
it becomes effortless.
Samadhi Contemplation, Union, and Bliss:-
This has to be experienced to be understood,
it is beyond words.
- Tantric Yoga: Tantric Yoga
breaks into two distinct variations the Left
hand and Right hand paths. The
Left hand path is the Tantra that most people
have heard about; it is a yoga found mainly
in Northern India and Tibet and involves the
union of male and female either actually or
in the imagination. The Right hand path is
epitomised by the Bihar Yoga and Mandala Ashram
below and encourages Fidelity and Celibacy.
Here the emphasis is on Kriya Yoga which comes
under the general heading of Tantra.
- Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga
is a very systemized form of yoga from the
Tantras, There are about 70 Kriyas or actions
of which only about 20 are in common usage.
Kriya yoga increases concentration and leads
to meditation and ultimately to enlightenment
but this is done more through awareness than
pure concentration. Again this system is taught
at Mandala Ashram.
- Yantra Yoga: Similar to
Mantra yoga but involving sight and form.
Yantras are colourful geometric mandalas or
designs which are used for concentration ether
on the Mandala itself or during the preparation
of the Mandala.
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