Yoga
India's ancient religious texts gave birth to both the literature and the
technique of yoga. The Sanskrit word yoga has several translations and can
be interpreted in many ways. The translation of the word yoga means to
"yoke, join, or concentrate." Yoga has come to describe a means of uniting,
or a method of discipline. Yoga comes out of an oral tradition in which the
teaching was transmitted directly from teacher to student. Patanjali (a
Indian sage) has been credited with the collation of this oral tradition
into his classical work, the Yoga Sutra, a 2,000-year-old writing on the
philosophy of yoga. This Sutra provides a kind of philosophical guidebook
for dealing with the challenges of being human, and how to gain mastery over
the mind and emotions and advice on spiritual growth. The Yoga Sutra
provides the framework upon which all yoga practiced today is based. Keeping
these meanings in the mind, we might think of the art and science of yoga as
a kind of magnificent tapestry that is woven together by the threads of
universal truths.
There are many different branches of yoga practice. In ancient times yoga
was often referred to as a tree, a living entity with roots, a trunk,
branches, blossoms, and fruit. Hatha yoga is one of six branches; the others
include raja, karma, bhakti, jnana, and tantra yoga. Each branch with its
unique characteristics and function represents a portion of the full and
complete phscial, mental and spiritual base of a person, Hatha yoga-the
physical aspect of yoga-was developed as a vehicle for meditation. The
repertoire of hatha yoga prepared the body, and particularly the nervous
system, for stillness, creating the necessary physical strength and stamina
that allowed the mind to remain calm. Raja yoga means "royal," and
meditation is the focal point of this branch of yoga. Karma yoga or the path
of service refers to the physical selfless service to others. Jnana yoga is
the yoga of the mind, of wisdom, the path of the sage or scholar. This path
requires development of the intellect through the study of the scriptures
and texts of the yoga path. In tantric practice we experience the Divine in
everything we do. A reverential attitude is therefore cultivated,
encouraging a ritualistic and ceremonial approach to life.
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Unlike stretching or fitness, yoga is more than just physical postures.
Physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Yoga is unique because it goes
beyond physical fitness, it in compasses the movement of the body and the
fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind,
body, and breath helps us to direct our attention inward. Through this
process of inward attention, we learn to recognize our habitual thought
patterns without labeling them, judging them, or trying to change them. We
become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment.. Your body will
most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.
Thus it is a whole fitness plan.
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