Monday, June 17, 2013

History Of Yoga - Yoga One Of The Ancient Exercise


Yoga Overview 

Yoga is defined as a systematic practice of physical exercise, breath control, relaxation, diet control, and positive thinking and meditation aimed at developing harmony in the body, mind, and environment. The practice entails low-impact physical activity, postures (called asana ), breathing techniques ( pranayama ), relaxation, and meditation. Most people are familiar with the physical poses or yoga positions but don't know that yoga involves so much more. 

The origin is a Sanskrit word Yog meaning union. Yoga is a union of the organ systems in the body with the consciousness in the mind. Philosophically, yoga produces a union of body, mind, and energy (or soul or spirit) to bring about a state of equanimity (calmness). Progressing to an even more advanced state, blending science and philosophy, one experiences a union of body, mind, internal energy, and the all-pervading cosmic energy, resulting in better physical health 

History of Yoga

The origins of yoga are shrouded in the mists of time. The ancient wisdom known as "the supreme science of life" is believed to have been revealed to the great sages of India several thousand years ago.

Yoga was developed to improve the condition of humans and to restore the health of community members. The history of yoga is divided into 4 periods such as:- 

Vedic Period 

This period marked the existence of Vedas. The Vedas is considered as the holy scripture of Brahmanism. It is a group of a song of praise which is sung to thank a god. The Vedas include the yogic teachings which are very old and popular and these teachings found during this period are called Vedic Yoga. The people during this period depend on rishis and devoted Vedic Yogis which taught the people about how one should live in great harmony. During this period, yogis live in forests and yoga was also taught in the forests. 

Pre-Classical Yoga 

Pre-Classical Yoga was marked by the Upanishads. The Upanishads explain about three things such as transcendental self, ultimate reality and the relationship between the two. They also taught about the teachings of the Vedas. The characteristics of Yoga can be found with Hinduism and Buddhism. Buddha taught the importance of meditation and some of the physical postures to people during the 16 th century. 

The first Buddhist, Siddhartha Gautama, taught yoga at the age of 35 which was explained clearly and became very successful. Around 500 B.C, yoga was taught by Bhagavad-Gita to make the people active and to avoid their difficulties. It also combined Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga which soon became successful. 

Classical Period 

The Classical period was marked by Yoga Sutrawhich was written around the second century by Patanjali who defines the Classical Yoga. It is made up of 195sutras which explain about Raja Yoga and its principals. He taught that each individual is made up of matter and spirit. He mainly focused on meditation and completely ignored the Asanas. Later on during this period, various yoga techniques and asanas were used to teach the people which changed the body and make it everlasting. 

Post-Classical Yoga 

During this period, the people were taught about the practice of yoga and creation of literature. The main focus of post-classical yoga was on the present and taught the people about the acceptance of reality and lived freely. During the early 19 th century, yoga was commenced in the West. During 1930's, it was taught as a group of vegetarianism and health and as a part of Eastern Philosophy. 

During 1960, various Indian teachers like Maharishi Mahesh and Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda who taught about transcendental meditation to people and Sivananda opened various schools in Europe and America in which yoga was taught on a large scale. 

Other teachers like Swami Satchitananda who considered yoga to Woodstock and Swami Sivananada Radha who discovered the connection between Yogi Bhajan, Yoga and psychology and further taught Kundalini Yoga during 1970. Till now, yoga is continuously flourished among people and spreading its boundaries of language and culture. 

Summary: 

The exact history and origins of yoga is uncertain; however, there are pieces that have been connected and allow us to make some conclusions. It is known that yoga originated from the East. The earliest signs of yoga appear in ancient Shamanism. Evidence of yoga postures were found on artifacts that date back to 3000 B.C. Evidence of yoga is found in the oldest-existing text, Rig-Veda.

History Of Yoga - Yoga One Of The Ancient Exercise


Yoga Overview 

Yoga is defined as a systematic practice of physical exercise, breath control, relaxation, diet control, and positive thinking and meditation aimed at developing harmony in the body, mind, and environment. The practice entails low-impact physical activity, postures (called asana ), breathing techniques ( pranayama ), relaxation, and meditation. Most people are familiar with the physical poses or yoga positions but don't know that yoga involves so much more. 

The origin is a Sanskrit word Yog meaning union. Yoga is a union of the organ systems in the body with the consciousness in the mind. Philosophically, yoga produces a union of body, mind, and energy (or soul or spirit) to bring about a state of equanimity (calmness). Progressing to an even more advanced state, blending science and philosophy, one experiences a union of body, mind, internal energy, and the all-pervading cosmic energy, resulting in better physical health 

History of Yoga

The origins of yoga are shrouded in the mists of time. The ancient wisdom known as "the supreme science of life" is believed to have been revealed to the great sages of India several thousand years ago.

Yoga was developed to improve the condition of humans and to restore the health of community members. The history of yoga is divided into 4 periods such as:- 

Vedic Period 

This period marked the existence of Vedas. The Vedas is considered as the holy scripture of Brahmanism. It is a group of a song of praise which is sung to thank a god. The Vedas include the yogic teachings which are very old and popular and these teachings found during this period are called Vedic Yoga. The people during this period depend on rishis and devoted Vedic Yogis which taught the people about how one should live in great harmony. During this period, yogis live in forests and yoga was also taught in the forests. 

Pre-Classical Yoga 

Pre-Classical Yoga was marked by the Upanishads. The Upanishads explain about three things such as transcendental self, ultimate reality and the relationship between the two. They also taught about the teachings of the Vedas. The characteristics of Yoga can be found with Hinduism and Buddhism. Buddha taught the importance of meditation and some of the physical postures to people during the 16 th century. 

The first Buddhist, Siddhartha Gautama, taught yoga at the age of 35 which was explained clearly and became very successful. Around 500 B.C, yoga was taught by Bhagavad-Gita to make the people active and to avoid their difficulties. It also combined Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga which soon became successful. 

Classical Period 

The Classical period was marked by Yoga Sutrawhich was written around the second century by Patanjali who defines the Classical Yoga. It is made up of 195sutras which explain about Raja Yoga and its principals. He taught that each individual is made up of matter and spirit. He mainly focused on meditation and completely ignored the Asanas. Later on during this period, various yoga techniques and asanas were used to teach the people which changed the body and make it everlasting. 

Post-Classical Yoga 

During this period, the people were taught about the practice of yoga and creation of literature. The main focus of post-classical yoga was on the present and taught the people about the acceptance of reality and lived freely. During the early 19 th century, yoga was commenced in the West. During 1930's, it was taught as a group of vegetarianism and health and as a part of Eastern Philosophy. 

During 1960, various Indian teachers like Maharishi Mahesh and Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda who taught about transcendental meditation to people and Sivananda opened various schools in Europe and America in which yoga was taught on a large scale. 

Other teachers like Swami Satchitananda who considered yoga to Woodstock and Swami Sivananada Radha who discovered the connection between Yogi Bhajan, Yoga and psychology and further taught Kundalini Yoga during 1970. Till now, yoga is continuously flourished among people and spreading its boundaries of language and culture. 

Summary: 

The exact history and origins of yoga is uncertain; however, there are pieces that have been connected and allow us to make some conclusions. It is known that yoga originated from the East. The earliest signs of yoga appear in ancient Shamanism. Evidence of yoga postures were found on artifacts that date back to 3000 B.C. Evidence of yoga is found in the oldest-existing text, Rig-Veda.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Namaste Yoga- A kind Gesture Of Spirituality

Yoga is a wonderful exercise, and Namaste yoga is just one of the many different types of yoga that you can choose to participate in. Just remember that regardless of which actual type of yoga you end up choosing, you are still going to be reaping at least some form of benefits.

Namaste yoga comes from the Indian greeting. The word means "I bow to you" and is often used when either greeting someone or when departing. 

The Gesture 

The Namaste gesture is designed to signify the belief that we all have a divine spark in the heart chakra. The gesture acknowledges the soul in one by the soul in another. In yoga, the Namaste gesture is performed at both the beginning and the end of the class. The teacher uses the gesture as an expression of gratitude for his/her students.
The Namaste gesture is called the Anjali mudra in eastern religions. This common symbolic hand position uses one hand to signify the worldly self and the other to represent the spiritual nature of the world. The purpose of the Anjali mudra is to show that you are making the effort to rise above potential differences with others. The Anjali mudra, a sign of love and respect, helps you to connect to the person to whom you are bowing.

To perform the Namaste gesture, bring both hands together with your palms touching. Your hands should be at the chest, below the chin, or above your head. Close your eyes and bow your head.

When it comes to Namaste yoga, there are many different things that are important for you to understand. For one, in order to perform Namaste yoga, you place the hands together at the heart chakra, close to the eyes, and then bow the head.

It can also be done however by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, and then bringing bowing the head and bringing the hands down to the heart. This is considered as being an especially deep form of respect, and Namaste yoga overall is considered as being one of the most respectful types of yoga.

In a yoga practice, the Namaste gesture is often done in conjunction with the pronunciation of the phrase. In India however, the meaning behind the gesture is so clear that no verbal explanation is needed.

Although Namaste is most associated with South Asian cultures, the gesture is used in other parts of the world as well. In Japan, the Anjali mudra is known as gassho. In Thailand, it is called wai.


Benefits of Namaste Yoga

Namaste yoga is beneficial as is any other kind of yoga. It is based on that Hatha Vinyasa style of yoga, and with this type of yoga, the breath is the guide and the body then follows in time. Yoga is a wonderful exercise, and this kind of yoga is just one of the many different types of yoga that you can choose to participate in. History would relay that this system of healing dated back about three thousand years ago, Namaste yoga is a kind of Thai massage with roots that can be traced back in India.

Ideally, this type of yoga should be done both at the beginning and the end of the class, and usually, it is done at the end of the class because the mind is less active and as well the energy in the room is more peaceful.

You can combine really any other type of yoga with this, however in order to determine the best type of yoga that you should do so with, you really are going to want to speak to a professional yoga instructor. This is because you will be able to get the most informed and knowledgeable opinion this way, and so thus this is definitely a route that you are going to want to take.

Just remember that regardless of what type of yoga you do or what type of concepts you include within the yoga, you are doing something fantastic and wonderful for your mind, body and soul by participating in yoga, and so you should always keep this positive thought in the back of your mind.

Summary:

Namaste is a Hindi word that is used in India as a salutation, much in the same way "hello" or "goodbye" is used in America. It is used by people of all ages, races, and genders to communicate with friends, family, and strangers. "Nam-a-stay" is the correct pronunciation.

In yoga, Namaste is often used as an expression of respect and goodwill. In Namaste Yoga we bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.