CHOOSE TO YOGA™

Creating Internal Balance.

2008-07-14T01:13:00.000-07:00

Choose To Yoga

Beginner's Yoga Stretch and Strength

2008-07-14T01:10:00.000-07:00

Choose To Yoga

THE YOGA BASIC

2008-07-14T01:01:00.000-07:00

PART 1

PART 2

Yoga as a Lifestyle.

2008-07-03T23:54:00.000-07:00

By Bob Taylor
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A person interested in health and wellness should take a look at what yoga can offer. They may be surprised to find that many of the beliefs they held about yoga are not true. Many people underestimate yoga as a way to better their health and wellness. However, many others have found the truth and are living a healthier and happy yoga lifestyle.

Yoga is a low impact workout, but can also offer an aerobic workout. There are some forms of yoga that offer an amazing workout for the cardiovascular system. The focus on breathing and intense poses give the body an unbelievable workout that can be compared to almost any aerobic workout.

Yoga is great for a person of any fitness level. Poses can be modified for a beginner and advanced for someone more experienced. It is an exercise routine that can grow with a person. It is varied and there are many different types of yoga, so a person will not become bored.

Yoga is an exceptional fitness activity for health and wellness. Yoga is the exercise where breathing and stretching take the forefront. A person practicing yoga is working both their mind and body to bring about an overall good sense of health and wellness. Many see yoga as a lifestyle more than an exercise regime because it is so easy to cross over into daily life.

Yoga involves poses and breathing. A person works through various poses, while concentrating on breathing and relaxing. It works the body by manipulating and stretching it and it works the mind by relaxing and clearing it.

Believing in good balanced diet, taking vitamins and minerals. Daily exercise, yoga, stretching, breathing exercises, drinking enough water, meditation, relaxation, positive thinking, and trying to be happy. http://www.preferedforms.com

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Yoga for Beginners, A Good Place to Start.

2008-07-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

By Hannah Caratti
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If you've been dealing with some health challenges, or have not been exercising or stretching much recently, you can still begin your yoga practice in an easy, enjoyable way!

Yoga does not have to be difficult for it to effectively manage and relieve pain! Find out why today is a good day to start your yoga practice!

The easier "schools" of yoga include: Kripalu Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Integral Yoga and Iyengar Yoga. Please note that Iyengar yoga can be gentle or rigorous depending on your teacher!

Here is a brief list of Yoga Classes to avoid if you're seeking a gentle way to learn Yoga. The classes that are physically rigorous, and thus not ideal for beginners (unless you're a real athlete already) are:

Power Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Yoga with Weights, and Bikram Yoga aka Hot Yoga.

The good news is that you can reap the benefits of yoga, whether you take a gentle class or a rigorous class. These benefits include: stretching and strengthening both body & mind, finding your balance in more ways than one, and taking time to breathe deeply, relax, and enjoy life in the present moment.

So, how can you start your Yoga practice? Simply call the Yoga Centers and Health Clubs nearest your home and ask them about the kinds of yoga classes they offer. Ask them if they offer a Yoga Class for Beginners. Most Yoga Centers make a point of doing this!

Then you can follow-up by trying different Yoga teachers and Yoga Classes in your neighborhood and finding at least 2 per week that fit your schedule.

Finally, you can purchase a Yoga DVD, either online or at your local health food store. Please be sure that it includes gentle, easy poses that are good for beginners! This can help you jump start your daily practice at home.

For more information about upcoming easy Yoga DVDs, you are welcome to contact hannahyoga@yahoo.com so that you can be informed when the new DVDs are ready!

Now, just a bit of "Yoga Lingo" for you as you start your own personal Yoga Journey: the word "Namaste!" is often said at the beginning and end of yoga classes. It means, "I salute the light within you!"

May you be peaceful and well! Namaste!

Hannah Caratti provides tools, instruction, and information about methods of relieving pain and stress through techniques related to the ancient science of Yoga.

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Easy Ways to Practice Yoga at Home.

2008-07-03T23:50:00.000-07:00

By Jim Andrews
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Yoga is a spiritual practice which assists people in unifying mind, body and heart. Yoga consists of many Asanas and different yoga postures. For practicing yoga you are not necessarily required to join some sort of yoga classes, instead, you can easily practice yoga at home. Many times on account of many reasons such as lack of time, living far from yoga studios or unable to afford join yoga classes' people prefer to practice yoga at home rather than going anywhere else.

Sometimes people want to do Yoga in odd hours, like late night for peace of mind and at such time home is the best place to practice it. But to do that you should know how and what to do. There is below mentioned some points which you should keep in mind when you are going to do yoga at home -

• Make a specific place for meditation. It may be either a room with door or even you can part one room into two sections with the help of furniture or a screen.

• Arrange for tools required for doing yoga at home like yoga mat. It becomes easy to practice yoga with right tools.

• Paint this place with soothing colors and decorate it with music, art and plants. Soothing music will help you in concentrating your mind.

• Use some media assistance like yoga DVD. Then you will not have to worry remembering yoga steps and you will be able to practice well. During meditation if you are taking help of VCD or DVD voice then it prevents your mind from wandering anywhere.

There is no such compulsion that for yoga you must join some yoga studios. This is the best feature of yoga that you can do it anywhere you desire. When you are doing yoga at home then first of all you should make sure that you are physically fit and able to do it. If you are suffering from some sort of disease then doing yoga may be harmful. Hence practice yoga at home only when you are physically sound and healthy.

Jim is a normal person who has realized his passion by writing about being healthy. He has struggled with health problems. He is fit now, and wants to send the message accords to everyone. For more information and advice on Health and yoga. Please visit us at http://www.whatyouneedtoknow.co.in

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The History of Yoga

2008-07-03T23:48:00.000-07:00

By Della Menechella
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The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Contrary to what some people may believe, yoga was not developed as the newest way to slim down so they could fit into a smaller pants size.

The history of yoga goes back 5,000 years. It originated in India, and the first time the word yoga was found in written form was in the Rig Vada, one of the sacred texts used by Vedic priests. Yoga is a means of achieving spiritual enlightenment.

Originally, yoga techniques were passed down from teacher to student through word of mouth. These techniques had never been written down until the Indian sage Patanjali wrote down a systematic method of yoga in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali is considered to be the father of yoga.

According to Patanjali, there are eight limbs of yoga, which lead to the ultimate goal of enlightenment.

Yama - abstaining from violence, stealing, lust, greed

Niyam - developing devotion, purity, studiousness, contentment, discipline

Pranayama - controlling the breath

Pratyahara - going inward and withdrawing attention from the outside world

Dharana - concentration

Dhyana - meditation

Samadhi - merging with the universal consciousness

The Swami Vivekananda added to the history of yoga by bringing it to America. In 1893, he addressed the Parliament of World Religions and discussed the path of yoga. As a result of his speech, it quickly began to blossom as a practice in many areas of the country. Yoga has since gained major popularity in the United States and many different styles including Hatha, Bikram, and Iyengar, are practiced by millions of people.

Knowing the history of yoga can help you, the practitioner, realize the richness that it has to offer. More than just a means of being fit and trim, yoga can help you live a healthy, whole, and empowered life.

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Here website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life.

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History of Yoga.

2008-07-03T23:47:00.000-07:00

By Rob Daniels
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Yoga is a union of body, mind, and spirit. The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Yoga is an ancient system of health and fitness which originated in India. The word yoga has its first mention in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the sacred texts. Those that study Yoga estimate it's age to be four thousand year.

The history of Yoga can be divided into four main periods which are the pre-classical period, classical period, post-classical period and modern period. In the history of yoga, the book is called the yoga sutras. The history of yoga would not have been completed in the classical stage of yoga.

The word Yoga literally meant the Yolk that joins something together, such as an ox to a cart. The idea is that yoga unites all aspects of being into one.

What most people envision to be Yoga, those contortionist postures, is really only one small aspect of a much larger field of practices. The methods of yoga includes ethical disciplines, physical postures, breathing control and as well as meditation.

The 20th century witnessed a renaissance of yoga that caused a globalization of this ancient tradition. Modern approaches to yoga have created a clear delineation between the Hindu religion and the practice of yoga. Through the practice of yoga, an individual can gain information about physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being.

Over the long history of yoga, different schools have emerged, and there are numerous examples branches and philosophies that have spawned. Ultimately, all agree on one common element the fundamental purpose of yoga is to foster harmony in the body, mind, and environment.

Today yoga is accepted as a comprehensive exercise to promote control of the body and mind. More than just a means of being fit and trim, yoga can help you live a healthy, whole, and empowered life. In recent decades, yoga has greatly and swiftly evolved. Yoga is the most diversified spiritual practice in the world. The living tradition of yoga now recognizes no borders as it continues to spread globally.

Rob Daniels is a long term practitioner of Yoga and Pilates additional articles available at Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net and Yoga Store http://www.yoga-store.net.

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The Different Types of Yoga

2008-07-03T23:45:00.000-07:00

By Sarah Freeland
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Confused by the many types of yoga? With all the different styles and variations, it’s no wonder. Don’t let it get you down. This article will give an overview of the eight most popular styles of yoga; iyengar, kundalini, bikram, ashtanga, power, hatha, kripalu, and sivanda. Let us shed some light on these and you’ll be a yoga pro in no time!

The three types of yoga you may have heard of are hatha yoga, power yoga and bikram yoga. These are the most popular in this day and age. Hatha yoga is the style of yoga most practiced today. It is what you will think of when you think of yoga in general. Power yoga is a more aerobic-style yoga, with an emphasis on cardio. Bikram yoga is a style of yoga performed in a heated room to accelerate detoxification. These are the types of yoga you will most likely encounter.

In addition to power yoga, there are two other styles of yoga designed for the more aerobic and fitness conscious person. These are iyengar yoga and ashtanga yoga. These are the types of yoga that will give you a strong cardio workout and are fast flowing and precise for those looking more for extreme fitness.

One of the types of yoga that might sound familiar to you is kundalini yoga. The kundalini is considered by many cultures to be the life force within us that can be awakened. This theory is applied to meditation, belly dancing and also yoga. Kundalini yoga concentrates on charkas in the body to generate a spiritual power.

The types of yoga that are more obscure and less heard of today are kripalu yoga and sivanda yoga. Kripalu yoga utilizes practices from many different wisdom traditions. It also includes health sciences, psychology and consciousness. It makes for a much more intensive life improvement plan than just a yoga class. Sivanda yoga is very similar to kripalu yoga in that it focuses on many aspects, including meditation, as part of its basic practice.

Yoga is a great way to strengthen your mind and body and get in shape as well as a great way to unwind after a long day. Whatever your yoga and meditation equipment and equipment needs, we have the information and resources to point you in the right direction. We have yoga music, mats, clothes, pants, videos and journals as well as information on the different yoga positions, postures and the history of yoga. If you are interested in becoming a yoga instructor learn more about yoga workshops in your city or state.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

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Which Type of YOGA is best?

2008-07-03T23:43:00.000-07:00

By Valerie Mae
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Yoga offers many things to many people. It can leave you supple and toned or even, according to some teachers, spiritually enlightened.

It’s the latest thing, and has reshaped the stars from Madonna to Sting.

There are many different forms of yoga - some more physical, some highly spiritual. Overall, yoga is good for stress-related illness, fatigue, migraine, depression, PMS, arthritis, back pain, ageing, and mobility problems.

Decide why you want to start yoga and then choose an appropriate form. The principles of yoga is fairly simple - relax, switch off and stretch, and you’ll feel better.

If you want to get fit…

* Hatha yoga - based on controlled stretching, with an emphasis on developing a flexible spine. Good for all level of fitness.

* Vini yoga - usually taught individually by a teacher call Desikachar. Vini yoga is safe and gentle and this is exceptionally good for older people.

If you want to get physical…

* Lyenger yoga - focuses on correct postures and often uses blocks and ropes to maintain these.

* Sivananda yoga - suitable for all ages, it covers a wide range of poses from simple to complex.

* Ashtanga yoga - known as power yoga. This form is very demanding and is suitable only for the very fit. But if you want ultra-toned muscles like Madonna, give it a go! ;)

If you want to get spiritual…

* Raja yoga - also known as royal yoga. Tis is more concerned with the mind

* Dru yoga - group yoga which concentrates heavily on breath work

* Jnana yoga - concentrates on yoga’s philosophical aspects and is heavily meditative and spritual. This is for those seeking a deeper leve to life.

Valerie Mae is a natural and organic beauty and wellness practitioner. She is part of the Organic Passion team that are dedicated in educating people on the benefits of eliminating chemicals and adopting a natural and organic lifestyle. Read more about their organic findings at http://www.organicpassion.info

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Getting Stronger With Yoga.

2008-07-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

By Tom Black
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Yoga is an ancient technique that promotes flexibility and health. It originated in India over 5000 years ago. The yoga positions are specifically designed to tone, stretch, and strengthen your muscles, make your body more flexible in general, help you with any weight related issues, and teach you meditation and relaxation. This is one of the most popular ways to achieve overall health - both physical and spiritual.

The equipment you will need for practicing yoga is not expensive and the yoga classes that you can sign up for are very affordable. You will need a yoga ball and a yoga mat. Some of the more popular yoga practices are - Kundalini Yoga (awakens the energy within us through easier positions that are suitable for all age groups), Hatha Yoga (the most popular yoga, it is used for finding balance and getting rid of everyday stress), Ashtanga Yoga (This is a very challenging yoga. It is for the more advanced and the people who practice it move from one challenging position to another), and Bikram Yoga (This is a more demanding version of the Hatha Yoga. It is very popular in California and it is made up of 26 positions and 22 breathing exercises).

Depending on your needs you can work on specific positions - the ones that will help you get rid of stress, manage your weight, provide you with more balance, or whatever it is that you need and want to improve. Yoga classes are great for beginners and after you start to understand the fundamentals you can practice yoga on your own.

A good site for learning more about yoga, the different types of yoga, the equipment you will need, and the poses, is the Alternative Medicines website. This site is also full of information about other alternative medicine procedures that you may find interesting.

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Why Yoga Works for Fitness

2008-07-03T23:41:00.001-07:00

By Jay Freeman
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3 Reasons Why Yoga Works for Fitness

As many Americans become interested in yoga training, many want to know why yoga works so well for transforming the human body from flabby and soft to sculpted and tone. Below are three reasons why yoga is such a good choice for physical fitness.

Unity of Body Mind and Soul

Many yoga enthusiasts credit the concept of unity as the number one reason why yoga works so well to keep both our physical and spiritual selves in great condition. The goal of yoga training is to bring the body and the soul together in a connection with a higher power.

The Spinal Connection

Many common forms of yoga center on the flexibility of the spine and its connection to all the body's systems. Many believe yoga works as a fitness solution because of this spinal connection. Yoga training influences cerebrospinal fluid, the cushioning fluid around our spinal systems which is responsible for sending signals to all the other systems (digestion, circulation, etc.) in our bodies.

Whole Body Strength

Another reason why experts believe that yoga works for physical and spiritual health is that yoga training requires the use of the entire body when performed correctly. From head to toe, yoga movements are feats of concentration and control.

If you're interested in finding out if yoga works for you, find a class to improve your physical and mental well-being through yoga training.

Find more information on yoga at The Yoga Institute website: http://www.the-yoga-institute.com

Jay Freeman is a professional freelance author who covers various topics. He writes many articles for The Yoga Institute at http://www.the-yoga-institute.com

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Yoga Clothing Guide - Always Buy the Best Yoga Clothes

2008-07-03T23:39:00.000-07:00

By Sardool Sikandar
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Comfortable and breathable clothes that are usually worn at the time of yoga are known as yoga clothes. They should let you to move freely in different yoga poses. Yoga tops, sweat clothes, and leotards are the best clothes that should be worn at the time of yoga practice. Loose fitting yoga clothes allow you to do different yoga poses easily.

Women should wear supportive sports bra so that they can easily perform all yoga activities. You can easily set alignment of your knees, feet and anklets by wearing shorts. Yoga clothes should be sweat absorbent that make you moist during your practice. You shouldn’t include tight fitting clothes that will prevent you from moving freely, in your yoga apparel.

You will enjoy your yoga practices with right yoga apparel. Actually yoga is a great combination of different body poses and its main motive is to make your body healthy & fit. You shouldn’t wear jeans and tight fitting shirts because they’ll not allow the body to breathe freely. You should take sufficient time to choose best yoga clothing.

Here are some prime factors that should be kept in mind while purchasing yoga apparel. Don’t choose form fitting clothes because they restrict to perform correct breathing techniques. Buy some best yoga shorts; sweat clothes, and yoga pants. You should feel comfortable whatever you choose for your yoga practices.

Sometimes you’re allowed to wear yoga shoes and socks so try to purchase comfortable shoes. With a bad set of yoga clothes you’ll not be able to do difficult yoga poses. It is true that yoga clothes should be comfortable but they should be attractive also. Try to choose best yoga clothes according to your personality.

About Author: Author presents a website on Yoga Clothing. Website provides information about yoga clothes, best yoga apparel, cheap yoga clothes, discount yoga clothes and trendy yoga clothes. You can visit his site for more information about Trendy Yoga Clothing

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The Benefits of Yoga - Healthy Body and Mind

2008-07-03T23:37:00.000-07:00

By Sarah Freeland
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Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. The word yoga actually comes from the Sanskirt word yuj which is interpreted to mean union or a method of practice.

Today, yoga is an extremely popular activity for both men and women. Although yoga was once practiced mainly in the East, there are now many Western practitioners. People are attracted to yoga for its health benefits, especially its capacity to create a relaxed mind and body.

Asana yoga is the most widely practiced form of yoga in the west. Asana yoga is designed to cultivate the mind and body in a manner that is conducive to long periods of meditation. Physical strength, flexibility and stamina are key components of asana yoga.

Hatha yoga is the term used to mean a set of physical exercises. The exercises of hatha yoga are meant to align skin, muscles and bones. In addition, hatha seeks to open the channels of the body so that energy can flow freely.

Many people feel that practicing yoga on a continual basis helps not only physical well-being, but also mental and psychological well-being. Yoga helps to calm the mind, allowing practitioners to feel a sense of inner peace and balance.

There are multiple branches of yoga. In Raja yoga the focus is on meditation. Karma yoga states that what we experience today is a result of past actions. Bhakti yoga is focused on channeling emotions in a positive manner. The various branches of yoga offer something for every taste and style.

Yoga is a great way to strengthen your mind and body and get in shape as well as a great way to unwind after a long day. Whatever your male and female yoga wear needs, we have the information and resources to point you in the right direction. We have yoga music, mats, clothes, pants, videos and journals as well as information on the different styles of yoga, postures and the history of yoga. If you are interested in becoming a yoga teacher learn more about yoga instructor certification courses in your city or state.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

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Yoga Clothing Guide - Always Buy the Best Yoga Clothes

2008-05-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

By Sardool Sikandar
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How To Become A Certified Yoga Instructor At Any Age

2008-05-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

By Karina Sinclair
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Today, it is possible for anyone to become a yoga instructor, at any age. All you need is to have the determination and interest to become a yoga instructor. There are so many books on yoga, courses that you can follow at a yoga training school or at home through CDs and many websites and e-books that can help you become a yoga instructor.

Though there are many sources for you to become a yoga instructor, it is better to always choose an accredited course or follow a book or e-book written by someone who is a master in yoga. If you have the time, you can join your local yoga training school, and attend classes and become a yoga instructor.

Whatever you are taught in the class, it is up to you to be disciplined to practice diligently at home. In yoga, as in other disciplines, practice makes perfect. Regardless of how old you are, without mastering the techniques and moves, it is impossible for you to teach others. Because yoga is not a strenuous form of exercise, you can learn yoga at any age. If you prefer to become a yoga instructor from home, you can search online to find the right online yoga instructor for yourself.

It is best to choose the online course that provides a minimum of 200 hours of yoga classes as this is a criterion that has to be met for one to become a certified yoga instructor. Regardless of your age, you can start your own yoga classes, once you find a suitable place to begin the lessons.

Yoga Instructors Course Certification Are you wanting to become certified as a yoga instructor? Not all yoga instructor certification courses are the same. I spent hours researching the range of yoga instructor certification courses available and have announced my number one choice at my yoga training website. Yoga Master With 5000 Hours Of Training Under His Belt Teaches Future Yoga Instructors How They Can Earn $150.00 Per Hour As A Professional Yoga Instructor And Be Certified Within Just 3 Months In His World Class Yoga Teacher Training Course Online. Start your certification today at http://www.yogainstructorscoursecertification.com

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Yoga for Fun and Profit.

2008-05-06T22:44:00.000-07:00

by: Siva Parvati
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Stress levels around the world are on the rise. In order to deal with this, relaxation and stress reduction therapies have sprung up from everywhere. Yoga instruction is no longer just a fringe population idea. It is now a mainstream fitness methodology. Yoga certifications are now available from many places in North America. As a result of this, yoga instructors are now available everywhere. Each gym now offers yoga classes from certified yoga instructors. Its time we understood what this is all about and where we are going with respect to the fitness industry.

The word yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning joining or union. What are we joining? The human being consists of several entities commonly referred to as body-mind-spirit. An integrated human being is the goal of yoga. We are joining the different pieces of the human being to make an integrated, holistic being that is attuned to one goal. The body, mind and spirit are all integrated with a common attitude and viewpoint. This is different from the state of being where the body wants to satisfy one need and the mind another and the spirit yet a third. This is the state during which mental storms occur and the body responds in turn with a manifestation of that mental vortex.

Yoga seeks to align the human being using its own tool of breathing. When we breathe rhythmically, our body is more in tune with itself. We function better as an integrated being in a holistic way. Yoga was invented in India, about 5000 years ago, precisely to achieve the goal of integration. When our being is aligned our interaction with the world will be more efficient. We perform better at work and in our home life. Rela-tionships become easier. This is what yoga achieves.

In India, yoga is taught and researched as a science at a place in Bangalore called the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusamdhana Samsthan (SVYASA). This means Yoga Research Institute. One can obtain intensive instruction in yoga and therapy techniques using yoga. Recently, I completed a month long certificate course for yoga instructors at this institute. The yoga that is taught here is not just about the physical poses. The idea of yoga from the original meaning is to really integrate the whole human being. This involves all of our activities in life. We must be aligned and integrated during all of our tasks during the day. All of our activies can be divided into several broad categories. All actions like going to work, eating breakfast are classified as Karma yoga. All philosophical discussions are classified under Jnana yoga. Any devotional activities such as the singing of hymns or prayers are considered part of Bhakti yoga. The physical poses of Western ideas of yoga are a part of Raja yoga, which includes other methods for gaining mastery over the physical body. This is the original concept of yoga from India and is taught in that form at the SVYASA Institute.Choose To Yoga

The institute is named after Swami Vivekananda who was a monk and scholar of Indian philosophy. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda was invited to speak at the Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago, on the topic of Hinduism. His speech became famous for explaining the unity of religions as many paths to God, and that Hinduism in its original sense encompassed that view. Swami Vivekananda wanted the Western world to understand Indian spirituality in the correct view, as a synthesis of the four types of yoga, which ultimately leads to the goal of spiritual evolution. SVYASA is dedicated to the education and research of yoga in this context. The school retains strict attention to the original sources of yoga from Sanskrit scripture.

The teaching styles of the school and environmental factors do not cater to the Western lifestyle. Those who come from abroad must acclimatize themselves to the pure Indian way. Meals are served on the floor and must be eaten using the hands. Vegetarian Indian food is served. No cutlery is provided. Footwear must be left outside of all classes. Be prepared to literally be on your feet for long amounts of time. While the majority of the students are comfortably able to sit on the floor during the long lecture sessions, chairs are available for those who will not be able to survive in that position. The philosophy of discipline is everywhere, starting from the boot camp like nature of the roll call before each session. Students who miss a portion of the attendance will not receive their certificate. Attendance is considered a very important factor of the study. In addition, a strict code of uniforms is enforced. Women must wear the Indian dress of salwaar kameez, which is a tunic, and pant set made of 100% cotton. This dress could be modified to be more forgiving for yoga poses. Men must wear loose fitting track pants and t-shirt. This is more conducive to rigorous physical activity. It must be noted that everywhere the students of the yoga instructors course can be identified by their uniform.Choose To Yoga

As attendance is strict, so is the keeping of students on the grounds. While exceptions can be made for justifiable reasons, students cannot usually leave the campus for any reason after the start of the course. The campus is 32 km north of the major city of Bangalore. Fortunately, Bangalore boasts many amenities including an international airport. The city of Bangalore itself is very multicultural. One can find the modern world mixed with the original flavour of India everywhere. The SVYASA institute has a city office in Bangalore from where a bus is arranged to take travellers to its campus outside the city in a place called Geddallahalli. The name of the campus is Prashanti Kutiram, which means abode of peace. While the name is very amenable to yoga studies, I found that one needs to practice yoga in sincerity to find the true peace, which is only inside the human being.

For further questions on yoga or SVYASA Institute, please email Shanti Consulting at speaksamskrit@yahoo.ca.

A variety of personal interests and professional paths have led the author to her current role as a personal trainer and lifestyle consultant with over 20 years experience. Siva is an author, lecturer and Can-Fit-Pro certified personal trainer who specializes in body-mind-spirit consulting and training women. Currently she is writing a book entitled Body, Mind, and Spirit Fitness, which discusses her particular style of training the complete being, rather than just the physical body.

Siva is a yoga instructor, an expert on East Indian Philosophy and teacher of Sanskrit. She holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Toronto and has balanced her time between personal training and engineering for over 20 years. In February 2005, Siva spent an intensive month studying a course for Yoga Instructors, at the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Institute in Bangalore, India to further her interest in yoga as a science of holistic living and not merely as yoga postures.

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Understanding the Different Types of Yoga.

2008-05-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

by: Suzanne Morrison
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Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today. The number of places holding Yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of Yoga. With a choice of Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and many more it can be easy to get confused

The article will help you to understand the difference between the most popular types of Yoga so you can choose which type is right for you.

Hatha Yoga - in Sanskrit (an ancient classical language of India) Ha means sun and tha means moon. This type of Yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of Yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to Yoga and don't know any of the asanas (poses). Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.

Ashtanga Yoga - this is the type of Yoga that I practice on a regular basis and means eight limbs in Sanskrit. It's a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas, synchronized with the breath. Ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next, so you'll find that it will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength..

Power Yoga - this is a western interpretation of Yoga and is based on Ashtanga Yoga. A Power Yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like Ashtanga Yoga does, but it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.

Iyengar Yoga - This type of Yoga is based on teachings by B.K.S Igengar and concentrates on the correct alignment and form of the body. Unlike Ashtanga Yoga, there is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long period of time rather than moving constantly from one pose to the next. Iyengar Yoga uses props such as blocks and straps to help align the body into the different poses.

Vinyasa Yoga - Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement and is another fast paced type of Yoga, with an emphasis on breathing. A practice typically starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching. Throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.

Bikram Yoga - otherwise known as Hot Yoga, is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, with a humidity of around 40%. Generally a sequence of 26 different poses is practiced during a Bikram Yoga class and the hot temperature helps to loosen muscles. Due to the high temperature most people sweat a lot during the class and this helps to cleanse the body of toxins.

If you're just starting out or have never done any Yoga before, I recommend trying a few different types of yoga to find out what you like best.

Remember, there's no rule that says you have to stick to one type of Yoga. I like Ashtanga Yoga best, but I also go to occasional Iyengar and Hatha Yoga classes for a bit of variety.

To find out more about the different types of Yoga visit the Free online Yoga Guide

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Om Yoga Meditation: Why Yoga ?

2008-05-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

By: Swami Nirmalananda
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The following is an excerpt from the book "Om Yoga: Its Theory and Practice."

Om is the Supreme Brahman. (Svetasvatara Upanishad 1:7)
He who utters Om with the intention I shall attain Brahman does verily attain Brahman. (Taittiriya Upanishad 1.8.1)
The Self is of the nature of the Syllable Om. (Mandukya Upanishad 1.8.12)
Meditate on Om as the Self. (Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.3)

Liberation-Freedom

Yoga is all about freedom. Only a fraction of the earths population is formally imprisoned, but the entire human race is imprisoned in the earth itself. None are free from the inevitability of sickness, age, and death, however free of them they may be at the moment. The human condition is subject to innumerable limitations. Who really controls his life fully, attains all his goals, and knows no setbacks of any kind? No one. Om Yoga is the way to freedom from suffering and limitation. Regarding Om, the Yoga Sutras (1) simply say: Its repetition and meditation is the way(Yoga Sutras 1:28). Even a superficial perusal of the Upanishads reveals that the meditation practice known and recommended by the Vedic Rishis (2), and later Patanjali and Krishna, (3)A Divine Incarnation (avatar) born in India about three thousand years ago, Whose teachings to His disciple Arjuna on the eve of the Great India (Mahabharata) War comprise the Bhagavad Gita.) was based on Om, the sacred syllable that both symbolizes and embodies Brahman, the Absolute Reality.

It is my hope that you will test for yourself the spiritual alchemy of Om Yoga that is set forth here. If your practice is exactly as outlined and of sufficient duration, your experience will be the proof of its validity and its efficacy.

This is the bridge to immortality. May you be successful in crossing over to the farther shore of darkness. (Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.6)

Why Yoga?

Since the spirit is always free, and nothing can change itnor does it ever need any changingthe question naturally arises: Why bother with yoga at all? If our real self is ever perfect and free, what needs to be done? What can be done?

It is true; the spirit is ever-free, but it has forgotten that and identifies with its experience of bondage and consequently (seemingly) suffers. Our situation is like someone who is asleep and dreaming that he is being tortured and beaten. In reality he is not being touched at all; yet he is experiencing pain and fear. He need not placate, overpower, or escape his torturers. He needs no more dream activity! He needs only to wake up. Yoga is the procedure of self-awakening.

In his commentary on the Yoga Sutras Shankara (The great reformer and re- establisher of Vedic Religion in India around 300 B.C.) has an opponent say: How can there be a means to obtain liberation? Liberation is not a thing which can be obtained, for it is simply cessation of bondage. And Shankara replies: You are wrong. For ignorance [bondage] to cease, something has to be done, with effort, as in the breaking of a fetter. Though liberation is not a thing, inasmuch as it is cessation of ignorance in the presence of right knowledge it is figuratively spoken of as something to be obtained. And he concludes: The purpose of Yoga is the knowledge of Reality."

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means to join. Yoga, then, is union and the way to union. What do we join through yoga?

First, we join our awareness to our own essential being: spirit that is consciousness. In yoga philosophy this is known as the atman or self. Next we join our finite consciousness to the Infinite Consciousness: God, the Supreme Self (Paramatman). In essence they are eternally one, and according to yogic philosophy all spirits originally dwelt in consciousness of that oneness. But in the descent into the material world for the purpose of evolving and extending its scope of consciousness, the individual spirit has lost its awareness of that eternal union, and therefore los the capacity to live in and manifest the union on a practical level. Through yoga the lost consciousness can be regained and actualized in the individuals practical life sphere. So profound and so necessary is yoga to the evolving consciousness, there is no more important subject in the world.

Regarding this, a yogi-adept of the twentieth century, Dr. I. K. Taimni, remarked in his book The Science of Yoga: According to the yogic philosophy it is possible to rise completely above the illusions and miseries of life and to gain infinite knowledge, bliss, and power through enlightenment here and now while we are still living in the physical body. And if we do not attain this enlightenment while we are still alive we will have to come back again and again into this world until we have accomplished this appointed task. So it is not a question of choosing the path of yoga or rejecting it. It is a question of choosing it now or in some future life. It is a question of gaining enlightenment as soon as possible and avoiding the suffering in the future or postponing the effort and going through further suffering which is unnecessary and avoidable. This is the meaning of Yoga Sutra 2:16: The misery which is not yet come can and is to be avoided. No vague promise of an uncertain postmortem happiness this, but a definite scientific assertion of a fact verified by the experience of innumerable yogis, saints, and sages who have trodden the path of yoga throughout the ages.

Yoga philosophy

Yoga must be approached initially as a philosophybut a philosophy which by its very nature stimulates its investigators to engage in practical applications through which they will experienceand demonstrateits truth and worth. That which begins as theory develops into practice which culminates in realization. Yoga is thus a philosophy, a discipline, and an experience. It is a revelation of consciousness. And since rational thought always precedes rational action, we should begin with the philosophical side of Yoga.

Then and now

In the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita Krishna tells Arjuna: There was never a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor any of these kings. Nor is there any future in which we shall cease to be.(Bhagavad Gita 2:12) That is, we are eternal beings, without beginning and without end. Originally we were points of conscious light in the infinite Ocean of Conscious Light that is God. We were gods within God. And so we still are, for it is not possible to be outside of Infinity Itself. Yet we are also here in this ever-changing worlda place that completely overwhelms the truth of our immortal life within God. For countless life-cycles we have found ourselves embodied in material cases, little body-prisons within the greater prison of the cosmos. And that is where we are right now.

There is a law that governs the place and kind of our embodiment. That law is karma, the principle of exact and inevitable reaction to our own actions and mental states, resulting in a seemingly endless domino effect of continual birth and death. Yoga offers us the possibility of ending this chain of embodiments by awakening and transformation from time and mortality into eternity and immortality.

God and gods

We are gods within God, finite spirits within the Infinite Spirit. But what is spirit? Yoga tells us that spirit is consciousness, hence we are eternal consciousnesses, each of us individual and distinct. (Nor is there any future in which we shall cease to be.) Yet we are more. For we do not have an existence independent of one another or independent of God. Rather, we take our being from God as the waves take their existence from the ocean, sharing it with all the other waves.

God is the eternal Root or Ground of our being, our greater Self. We are not God, but in some ineffable manner God is usthe Self of our self, the Spirit of our spirit. God is all, and we are the partseach of us possessing an eternal and irrevocable distinction. That is why, as already quoted, Krishna told Arjuna: There was never a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor any of these kings. Nor is there any future in which we shall cease to be. It is incalculably important to realize this before we can have any viable understanding of or approach to ourselves, to our lives, to others, and even to God. The distinction between God, us, and one another is real and eternal; yet so is our unity.

In God there is unity; in us there is diversity. These two seemingly contradictory states coexist in perfection. Because of this we have the term advaita which does not mean one, but simply not two. Reality is neither One nor Two. It is a unity that possesses diversity. It is a mystery, but it can be realized by direct experience, and yoga is the means to that experience.

God and creation

God, the infinite Spirit, is pure consciousness, butas we are experiencing even nowHe has extended or emanated Himself as the cosmos: physical, astral, and causal. This seemingly dual nature of God as Light and Power, as Consciousness and Matter, has puzzled the minds of even the wise.

God, the Original Being, projects Himself as the ever-changing dance of creation, as the evolving light that is the cosmos. God projects the creation, evolves it, and withdraws it back into Himself in a perpetual cycle. Thus the creation can be thought of as Gods bodythat God becomes incarnate in creation again and again. And as parts or reflections of God we do exactly the same through reincarnation.

And us...

All conscious beings have existed eternally within the Being of Godliving within the heart of God, one with Him, distinct though not separate. Having their being rooted in the infinity of God, the individual consciousnesses have within them a natural impulse to transcend their finitude and attain the boundlessness of their Origin. This, of course, is impossible, since the essential, eternal nature of a being cannot be altered. Being rooted in God, and therefore in a sense a part of God, all beings are as immutable as Godthe only infinite Being. Yet the urge for transcendence is part of their nature.

The solution to this dilemma is actually quite simple: the individual consciousnesses cannot alter their natural state of finitude but they can come to share and participate in the infinite Consciousness of God. As Sri Ma Anandamayi said: The soul can become godlike, but it cannot become God. That is, they cannot become infinite themselves, but they can experience the infinity of another: their divine Source. Just as a psychically sensitive person can experience the thoughts and feelings of another but does not become that other person, so the individual consciousness can come to experience the Consciousness of God while remaining in its limited native state.

It is necessary, then, for the individual spirit to develop the capacity for such a state of awareness. And this is done by learning to fully experience the state of existence of a being completely different from oneselfto enter into an altogether alien mode of being while retaining the awareness of ones true identity. In other words, the individual spirit must learn to put on the costume of a consciousness utterly different from its own and become able not just to fully experience that other mode of consciousness, but also to develop the ability to function as that other kind of being.

Evolutionary creation

To enable the spirits to enter into this process, God breathes forth or emanates His own Self as the Power from which is manifested all the realms of relative existence, from the most subtle worlds of nearly-perfected beings to the most objective worlds of atomic matter. The spirits then enter into relative existence by taking on coverings, or bodies, (There are five such concentric sheaths or bodies: the sheaths of bliss, intellect, mind, life-force and the physical bodythe anandamaya, jnanamaya, manomaya, pranamaya and annamaya bodies (koshas) respectively.) of varying grades and patterns of vibratory energies and descending into this material world. Here they begin working their way back up the ladder of ever-evolving forms, beginning with forms whose scope of consciousness is lesser than theirs and working their way upward, entering into higher and higher levels of awareness until they can surpass their original breadth of consciousness and begin to partake of a life of awareness much beyond their own.

Furthermore, in the intervals between embodiments the spirit spends time in the astral regions where awakening and growth also take place. (This is best explained in the forty-third chapter of Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda.) Upward and upward they evolve until their capacity for awareness is developed to such a perfect state that they can actually experience the Being of God in full participation in Gods all-embracing Consciousness, thenceforth to live in His infinity.

The master yogi, Dr. I. K. Taimni, in The Ultimate Reality and Realization, says this: It is only when the realization of being a pure spirit or atma has been attained that it is possible to achieve the final goal of union of the atma with the Paramatma, the Supreme Spirit which exists eternally beyond the manifested universe and from which the manifested universe is derived. When this final realization has been attained and union of atma with Paramatma has been brought about there is not only a complete sharing of consciousness between the two but also of the infinite Power which is inherent in the Universal Consciousness.It is necessary to distinguish between the powers which are acquired on the realization that he is a pure spirit or atma and those which are attained when he is able to destroy the last vestige of egoism and his consciousness becomes united with that of Paramatma. The former, though tremendous in some respects, are still limited, while the latter which are really the Powers of the Supreme Spirit are infinite and can manifest through the center of consciousness of a self-realized individual because there is fusion of the individual consciousness with the Supreme Consciousness and the channel between the two is open.

We do not become God the Absolute, but we enter into that Absolute Life and are one with it. As Shankara explains in his Yoga Sutra commentary: When the light of several lamps appears simultaneously, it cannot be made out which is the light of which. Consequently we experience the infinite Being of Godinfinite Consciousnessas our own being. Krishna has described it thusly: When you have reached enlightenment, ignorance will delude you no longer. In the light of that knowledge you will see the entire creation within your own atman and in me. (Bhagavad Gita 4:35) Buddha called this seeing with the Divine Eye. When we are unshakably established in that Consciousness the goal has been attained.Choose To Yoga

As Shakespeare wrote, all the worlds a stage with the individual spirits wearing their costumes and playing their parts. Just as actors begin with small parts and progress to bigger roles by demonstrating their skill in those smaller parts, so also do the spirits advance to higher and more complex forms of existence and consciousness, at last returning home to God. The Sufi poet, Rumi, wrote:

A stone I died and rose again a plant.
A plant I died and rose an animal;
I died an animal and was born a man.
Why should I fear? What have I lost by death?
As man, death sweeps me from this world of men
That I may wear an angels wings in heaven;
Yet een as angel may I not abide,
For nought abideth save the face of God.
Thus oer the angels world I wing my way
Onwards and upwards, unto boundless lights;
Then let me be as nought, for in my heart
Rings as a harp-song that we must return to Him.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, one of many great Americans whose belief in reincarnation is overlooked, wrote in his poem, The Chambered Nautilus:

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul!
As the swift seasons roll!
Leave thy low-vaulted past!
Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by lifes unresting sea!

That is the purpose of this creation and our place in it through a seemingly endless chain of births in this and the higher worlds: to evolve beyond all worlds by expanding our consciousness through form after form, eventually reuniting ourselves consciously with God, leaving many outgrown shells by lifes unresting sea. For long ages beyond calculation this growth has occurred automatically, spontaneously, with no thought or intention on our part. But the time comes in our evolutionary scenario when comprehension dawns and we understand that we must take our own evolution in hand from that time forth. This is necessary for the development of our higher potential. As God controls and directs the macrocosm, we must now begin doing the same with the microcosm that is us. And yoga is the means of our self-evolution that leads to our self-mastery and perfect union with the Supreme Self: God. Yoga is both the knowledge of cosmic and human makeup and the key to unlock them and ascend to freedom in spirit. Yoga is the means by which we answer for ourselves the prayer:

Lead me from the unreal to the Real.
Lead me from darkness to the Light.
Lead me from death to Immortality.

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Footnotes:
(1) The oldest known writing on the subject of yoga, written by the sage Patanjali, a yogi of ancient India, and considered the most authoritative text on yoga.

(2) Seers of the Truth, to whom the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of India, considered the oldest scriptures of the world, were revealed in meditation.

(3) A Divine Incarnation (avatar) born in India about three thousand years ago, Whose teachings to His disciple Arjuna on the eve of the Great India (Mahabharata) War comprise the Bhagavad Gita.

Swami Nirmalananda Giri is the abbot of Atma Jyoti Ashram, a traditional Hindu monastery in the small desert town of Borrego Springs in southern California. More of his writings, including the full book, Om Yoga: Its Theory and Practice, for which this article is an introduction, may be found at the Ashram's website, http://www.atmajyoti.org/

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