Yoga- A Way to Attain Good Health and Spirituality

Yoga focuses on harmony between mind and body. Yoga derives its philosophy from Indian metaphysical beliefs. The word yoga comes from Sanskrit language and means union or merger. The ultimate aim of this philosophy is to strike a balance between mind and body and attain self-enlightenment. To achieve this, yoga uses movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation in order to establish a healthy, lively and balanced approach to life.

Yoga and Postures:

Yoga is all about Yoga poses and postures. There are umpteen numbers of Yoga poses and postures. These Yoga poses or Yoga Asana have evolved over thousands of years. As Yoga originated in India, most of the Yoga poses were developed by sages and ascetics. There are many important things which need to be kept in mind while trying and executing Yoga postures and positions. At the time of starting Yoga one should very well know his/her body limits. One should listen to his body, especially in the beginning.

The simple rule is to start with a teacher. You may also take help of some good books on Yoga for learning Yoga poses or Yoga Asanas. Videos are also of great help to help you learn Yoga poses. 

Yoga and its Types:

The prominent Yoga types or Yoga styles are Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Purna Yoga and Raja Yoga. Though all the above Yoga styles are popular among the Yoga followers but the Kundalini Yoga type is most sought after in the west. It is interesting to note that different Yoga types have their unique virtues. Some Yoga styles are useful for physical strength whereas some are useful for increasing mental prowess.

Bhakti Yoga emphasizes love and devotion whereas Hatha Yoga is an easy Yoga style and most popular in the US. Jnana Yoga highlights the use of the mind to surpass the mind i.e. to discern the mind. Karma Yoga lays emphasis on selfless action and service. Kundalini Yoga uses sexual experience as a means to enlightenment and knowledge. In the Mantra Yoga meditation one has to chant a word or a phrase until he/she transcends mind and emotions. Purna Yoga lays more emphasis on the importance of Karma in day today life. Raja Yoga provides solution for complete and holistic healing. 

Yoga and its 8 Limbs:

Compiled by Maharishi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs of Yoga are a progressive series of steps or disciplines which purify the body and mind, ultimately leading the Yogi (one who practices Yoga) to enlightenment. While the physical part of yoga is certainly of significance, it is only one of the eight conventional limbs of Yoga practice, all of which have meditation of God as their rationale. These are the eight limbs of the complete yoga system as they are found in the famous Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

• Yama - Moral observances for interactions with others
• Niyama - Moral observances for interactions with yourself
• Asana - Postures
• Pranayama - Breathing
• Pratyahara - Sensory inhibition
• Dharana - Focus
• Dhyana - Meditation
• Samadhi - Blissful absorption of one's individual consciousness in the essence of God.

Yoga and its Benefits:

The benefits of Yoga are numerous. In terms of energy Yoga is like a universe in itself. Some of the important Yoga benefits include anti-ageing, balance and flexibility of body, increase in knowledge and wealth, improvement in mental health and development of personal and social values. This is not the end of story; Yoga also helps in improving strength, sexual life and reducing weight. Yoga makes you feel good. Yoga is relaxing. It's energizing. It's strengthening.

Summary:

The driving force of yoga is aimed at the monumental, life-changing discovery of whom and what you actually are. This is precisely how yoga works, how it makes you feel good. Yoga helps you experience the truth. The truth- which, you discover is goodness. The implications of knowing the truth is massive. Thus Yoga gives you the strength to unravel the truth with which you will begin to live with security, confidence and inner psychological peace. Such great are the benefits and properties of Yoga. Yoga changes your life.

Yoga And Its Types Involve All Types For Complete Spirituality !!

Yoga is basically divided into eight types. In every type different styles of and paths of yoga are explained. The prominent yoga types are: Hatha yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, Kundalini yoga, Raja yoga, Purna yoga and Mantra yoga. It is important to note that every type of yoga has its own unique qualities. Some yoga styles play an important role in improving physical health while some are useful in increasing mental ability.

Types of yoga and its importance:-

1. Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti Yoga is a system of Yoga in which love and devotion are given emphasis. Some of the Bhakti Yoga traditions lay emphasis on love of God, love of God in man and surrender to God's will. Some people are naturally inclined by temperament to be devotional and to love God and God-as-the-world. In the Bhakti Yoga fold, maintenance of balance is recommended. Perhaps we all practice Bhakti Yoga in our day today life. Bhakti Yoga is reflected most in our prayer to the God.

2. Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga is said to be the basis of all Yoga systems. Hatha yoga is the physical part of Yoga practice. Hatha yoga lays emphasis on asanas, pranayama and dhyana (meditation). Another important facet of Yoga is that it aims at balancing different energy flows within the human body. Hatha Yoga exercises are intended to ease tense muscles, to tone up the internal organs, and to improve the body flexibility. When practiced in combination with breathing techniques, Hatha yoga postures 
stimulate circulation, digestion, nervous and endocrine systems of the body.

3. Jnana Yoga: Another popular Yoga type is the Jnana Yoga. Jnana Yoga emphasizes the use of the mind to surpass the mind i.e. to discern the mind. The aim of Jnana Yoga is to endeavor ceaselessly to explore knowledge and to know and understand. Jnana Yoga is eight-limbed, and its other seven limbs are detachment, self-discipline, longing for freedom, hearing the truth, reflection upon that truth, and meditation. Jnana Yoga aims at attaining liberation through knowledge and not by rituals and ceremonies.

4. Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga lays emphasis on selfless action and service. The underlying message of Karma Yoga is very clear- humans must always work in harmony with the great power that controls and runs the universe. With the eradication of compulsive or possessive desire, we are able to live in the present and at the same time can plan for the future.

5. Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini yoga is a physical and meditative discipline, comprising a set of techniques that use the mind, senses and body to create a communication between "mind" and "body". Kundalini yoga focuses on psycho-spiritual growth and the body's potential for maturation, giving special consideration to the role of the spine and the endocrine system in the understanding of yogic awakening.

6. Mantra Yoga: Mantras are words, phrases, or syllables which are chanted attentively and thoughtfully to attain certain goals. In the Mantra Yoga meditation one has to chant a word or a phrase until he/she transcends mind and emotions. In the process the super conscious is discovered and achieved. The rhythm and the meaning of mantras combine to conduct the mind safely back to the point of meditation- the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus. Different syllables, phrases and words posses their unique healing potential. Hence they are chanted at a specific time.

7. Purna Yoga: Purna yoga is also known as Integral yoga. The philosophy of Purna yoga is based on the recognition of importance of perfect integration of the human being with the divine consciousness at all levels of existence. This is a very difficult pathway of yoga and requires complete dedication and support of a guru. It is yoga of complete integration of the self through action, wisdom, peace and love. Integral yoga suggests that action alone is not possible to purify the soul that could lead the Sadhak on the path to salvation. Action, wisdom, love and knowledge have to be used as a means of self-purification of the soul.

8. Raja Yoga: An important branch of Yoga, Raja Yoga is a one stop solution for complete and holistic healing. Raja Yoga possesses the positive power of influencing the life of human beings. Raja Yoga synchronizes the physiological system as a whole as well as transforms all spheres (physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social and spiritual) of human existence. Raja Yoga therapy is truly a holistic treatment as it heals the principal mechanisms and the control of the whole person. Raja Yoga helps an individual to mitigate emotional and mental conflicts. Raja Yoga also brings lasting peace and satisfaction in one's life. All these virtues make Raja Yoga a way of living.

Summary:

Yoga is one of the most popular and commonly participated in exercises out there, but not many people are actually aware of just how many different types of yoga there are to choose from. Each has its own features, qualities and advantages, and so in order to be able to determine which is going to work best for you.