By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Recently, I received an Email from a colleague about local Yoga students and their desire to “skip” meditation. It seems some Hatha Yoga students find it appropriate to get up and leave before meditation starts. In the area, where he is located of the western United states, no Yoga studios have meditation, as part of the curriculum.

Apparently, there is a lack of interest and this would leave most Yoga teachers discouraged. However, these same Yoga students love Asana practice. They state that meditation is boring and they could be doing something useful instead.

What can Yoga instructors do, to explain the mental benefits of meditation? At this point, mentioning spiritual benefits would fall on deaf ears. When Yoga students cannot appreciate anything beyond physical stimulation, it is doubtful they would appreciate anything that cannot be physically measured.

If we teach Yoga without mediation, is it really Yoga anymore? Is this how the Pilates Method was born? Should we “fold in” to popular demand, in order to keep our Yoga studios open? Should we create a new Yoga hybrid without a soul?

There are many new and interesting ideas to develop the mind and body connection, but Yoga teachers should not be discouraged. When most of our Yoga students get a mind and body connection through asana practice, this is a small start for the evolution of Hatha Yoga in western culture.

We live in a culture of “Attention Deficit Disorder,” and it is difficult for people to focus and unplug from distractions. Most of our Yoga students are totally addicted to multi-tasking. Some Yoga students quietly refuse to shut their cell phones off in class. No matter how many signs you post, there will be a Yoga student who will leave his or her cell phone on, and it will ring off.

No wonder, Bhakti, Jnana, and Karma Yoga, never got a serious foot hold here.
Although Yoga teachers spend time on daily meditation; a deep meditation session may not be “popular” with your students, if a lot of nervous energy is in the room.

In this case, you could expose your Yoga students to a five minute session of mindfulness or Breath Awareness meditation. It is a start, and a brief tour toward their inner being. A brief five, or ten, minute relaxation sequence is also an option.

Very few of my students want to experience more than the 15 minute meditation segment, at the end of a Yoga class. Being distracted and multi-tasking is a normal state of mind to children. Unfortunately, many parents are in the “same boat.”

Therefore, Yoga teachers should not their waste time, lecturing students about the benefits of meditation. You would be better off creating a student handout about meditation for stress management and mental health. It is reasonable to say, that everyone should give their mind a rest. The ancient Yogis knew this and it is up to Yoga teachers to let the public be aware of the benefits of meditation.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Jennifer Miller

Yoga position Relieve from depression, stress, and tension required regular practice of yoga. Yoga is the best exercise to get rid from the disease.

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word meaning join or unite. This implies union between body, mind and soul of the individual to achieve the good health and well being. There are 8 disciplines of yoga which includes

1. Asanas – practice of the yoga postures or position.
2. Dharana- concentration or focus
3. Dhyana- meditation
4. Pranayama- Breathing technique
5. Niyama- Principles of self conduct: purity, self-surrender and satisfaction.
6. Samadhi- the state of higher consciousness where the individual dissolves in the meditation
7. Yama- Universal ethics like sexual restraint, non-stealing, truthfulness, non-violence.
8. Pratyahara- Control of Sense

These are the disciplines of yoga but if person do regular practice of yoga position, meditation and breathing technique. He will get rid from all disease like depression, stress, back pain, high blood pressure, obesity etc.

The yoga position or postures can be classified into the seven categories like

1. Standing yoga position – Chair Position, Eagle Position
2. Forward bends – Child’s Position
3. Sitting yoga position – lotus position, Bound Angle Position
4. Lying position — Corpse position, Fish Position
5. Twisting yoga position
6. Upside down yoga position
7. Back bending yoga position

Research proved that regular practice of yoga position, breathing techniques has many benefits like weight reduction, blood pressure normalize, immune power increase, increase of concentration, increase flexibility of body, detoxification of body system. Scientific experiement proved that yoga and breathing exercise releive stress, tension and calm the body. breathing exercise is the most effective exercise to control the asthama, depression and cool the nervous system

Jennifer Miller is the associate editor to the website http://abhinavexports.com The Website offers yoga books, books on yoga position, yoga for beginner, and wide range of book on yoga and its related topic. Buy books from india online books store, visit http://abhinavexports.com/book.php?id=124 Your feed back comment and suggestions will be highly appreciated at email hidden; JavaScript is required

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By Shumam Fasi

A cancer specialist of San Antonio, Texas said during a seminar in Oklahoma City that a cure for cancer is possible by the application of Yoga.

Col. Hansa Raval, M.D, pathologist with the United States said that physicians declined to recognize the cure. She further said that till she began researching the application of the non conventional modes of treatment, her work in cytotechnology which is a diagnostic branch of medicine whose objective is to pinpoint the early stages of cancer was ineffectual. She claimed to have observed crippling arthritis, headache, and even cancer being healed by Raja yoga and meditation.

Her views were rejected by others belonging to the medical profession as being silly, in spite of the proof given by her, accumulated during her two years of study at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University in India.

Raval’s hypothesis that 98 percent of all cancer is psychosomatic is the reason for yoga’s success as a mode of treatment. She pointed out that this was not chanting or reciting mantras. Neither are scriptures its basis. It is not a cult or a biofeedback. Yoga goes much deeper. It is an exhaustive understanding of what the soul is and a full proof method of meditation.

According to Raval the medical schools have a strong disposition towards the conventional modes such as radiation, chemotherapy, and treatment using machines, and consequently look down upon the non conventional modes of treatment. The human being as merely being a body is taught to students in medical schools .But the body can be cured by the power of the mind. The combination of mind, body and soul is what is literally meant by the term psychosomatic.

The body suffers while the soul generates the disease. It is possible to heal the disease only through the psyche if it the psyche which has caused it. This is treating the root cause of the problem and is a very simple formula. Curing the disease through the treatment of the soul is revealed in all studies relating to parapsychology.

Peace and purity for health happiness is taught at the World Spiritual University which has branches in 30 countries. It has its office at the U.N. building in New York and has acquired the status of a nongovernmental member of the U.N.

Through Raja yoga students are taught to search their soul, enquire as to their origin and the cause of their body being invaded by cancer. The role of religion, stress, family and lifestyle to the cause of cancer is also learnt.

Shumam Fasi is involved with an online yoga project that informs and educates the yoga enthusiast through well-written articles. Discover the timeless wisdom of Yoga meditation, breathing, & positions, as well as reviews on Yoga videos, mats, accessories, & much more…

http://www.yoga-advice.org

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By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

How much should your rate for a private Yoga lesson be? Does it vary by location? Why do some Yoga teachers schedule so many private lessons, while other Yoga instructors run Yoga classes, almost exclusively?

Private Yoga lessons do vary in price, and the average private Yoga session in Beverly Hills is going to be on the higher end, in cost. Yoga teacher experience is also a factor. So, experience and location does have a lot to do with your private session rates, but how do you know what is a fair market value?

How do you avoid “selling yourself short?” Your students do expect more value, and they realize private Yoga sessions are more expensive than a regular Yoga class.

One course of action is to compare notes, with local Yoga teachers, and personal fitness trainers. If you teach at a health club, or network with local Yoga teachers, and personal trainers; many of them will be happy to help you.

If personal trainers, with similar experience, are charging more than you, your rates are, usually, too low. Why? Some personal trainers might graduate from a 200 to 500 hour certification course, but many do not, unless they have a bachelor’s degree in physical education, which is more experience than most Yoga teachers.

Most Yoga instructors graduate from a 200 to 500 hour Yoga instructor training program. The hours of study involved to become a Yoga teacher deserves a similar private session rate, if the working experience is similar to a personal trainer.

How do you avoid Yoga students, who make appointments and do not show up for scheduled private Yoga session? You should have a firm 24 hour cancellation policy in place. Yoga students should be required to cancel before the 24 hour mark, if an emergency arises. Your time is valuable too, and you could be teaching Yoga to someone who shows up for their appointment.

Sometimes Yoga students make appointments, and do not cancel, or show up for them. Once a student has done this, he or she should reserve a private Yoga session with a non-refundable deposit or reservation fee.

This may seem harsh, but you make the commute to your Yoga studio, set everything up, wait, and the student does not show up. It truly is a matter of how many times a Yoga teacher is prepared to waste his or her time before reacting.

Here’s how it works: If my private rate is $80, we require a $40 deposit for the reservation and the $40 balance upon arrival. If the student does not show up, he or she loses the deposit.

This policy is only for Yoga students who have a history of not showing up for appointments. It took a lot of abuse before we implemented this policy, but now everyone shows up for their private Yoga lessons on time.

Why do some Yoga teachers schedule so many private lessons, while others run Yoga classes only? Two factors are involved. If your location, or your student’s location, is upscale, there will be a demand for private Yoga sessions in that geographic area.

Also, it has to do with your marketing efforts. You have to make it known in your literature and on your website. In your Yoga studio, you want to post signs to let students know that you teach private Yoga sessions. Some marketing studies show that people have to see the same message seven times before they react.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
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By Nicki Agsten

We often lead busy and chaotic lives, cutting corners and ignoring guidelines in an attempt to do something faster, better or more efficiently. In our attempt to fit everything into a busy day we often compromise or gloss over the necessary preparation for yoga that otherwise would enhance the benefits of our yoga practice.

In order to have the ‘ultimate beneficial yoga experience,’ you need to follow certain guidelines and pointers. If you can adapt your practice to take notice of these pointers and incorporate them into your busy day it will improve your yoga practice and you will experience the benefits of yoga more deeply.

When you start your yoga routine, try and RELAX. Let your mind go blank. Give it permission to release the worries of the day. Attempt to bring your focus into you. However, don’t become frustrated if at first you can’t still your racing mind. Often this is exceptionally hard, however with regular yoga meditation practice you will learn to achieve this state of relaxation faster and faster. A good way to start is with 5 to 10 minutes of Savasana (this is the corpse pose).

Now Savasana can be practiced at any time throughout your yoga session, you don’t need to practice it at any particular time, but it is effective in calming the mind and allowing you to focus in on you and the start of your yoga practice. As it assists relaxation, savasana often concludes a yoga class with the teacher usually leading the class through a process of guided meditation.

Once you have your focus centered on you, then concentrate on your BREATHING. It takes a short while to learn to properly breathe in the yogic fashion, however once achieved it will definitely make the practice of the asanas easier. Bear in mind that yogic breathing is different. To breathe properly in the yoga style, ALWAYS breathe in through the nose unless your instructor tells you otherwise and out through the mouth. Try and make the length of your in breath equal the length of your out breath. When you’re ready, try to co-ordinate the progression of one yoga position to another with your breath. You wish to achieve a flowing motion between breath and movement.

When breathing is established, bring your AWARENESS in to you. By this I mean, focus on what is happening in your body and in your mind while seeking to perfect each yoga pose.

Try to observe or become aware of:-

1. How your body feels when it’s in certain positions. If it feels well, then move into the particular yoga position a little further, if your body twinges, then listen to it and back off. You’re not ready for that intensity;

2. What sensations are traveling through your body? Heat, fatigue or even a sense of nothingness. Each has meaning and your yoga practice can be modified to accommodate each sensation;

3. What your breath is doing throughout each yoga pose. Are you using your breath to assist you into the pose?

Most importantly, become aware of what thoughts and feelings course through your body while moving from one asana to the next and practice accepting those thoughts and feelings, without judgment. Just let those thoughts and feelings exist, observe them, without comment!

Now look at the STRUCTURE of your yoga practice. As it is important to balance the body and the mind, you need to structure your poses. Each forward bend should be followed by a backward bend. The poses you do on one side should be done on the other side of your body as well.

Now what is the best TIME to practice yoga? Many say generally in the mornings, just on arising as your mind is clear, free of thoughts and the air is still and quiet, there is no disturbance to interrupt your focus on you and your practice. The second best time to practice yoga is during the evening, those 2-3 hours around sunset. The chaos of the day has abated, and you can focus more clearly.

For many of us these times don’t suit our lifestyles or commitments. So my belief is that yoga can actually be practiced at any time during the day. Whenever you are able to take a block of time for yourself. The only caveat to that is that you shouldn’t practice yoga for at least two hours after a meal. So if early afternoon is a time that you can plan to have free, and be at liberty to focus on you without interruptions, then that is then the best time for you to practice yoga.

The last guideline for a beneficial yoga experience is to consider the PLACE or SPOT to conduct your yoga practice in. What you want is a well ventilated area, but on the other hand not one that is draughty. You need the ventilation as your body will generate heat during the practice of the poses and you will perspire. On the other hand you don’t want a draught in the room to chill and stiffen your muscles.

Also, the spot you choose should be quiet and still. So that your mind doesn’t wander it’s a good idea to choose the same spot for your yoga practice each time. If you’re familiar with the spot, you won’t be focusing on unnecessary things which will leave your mind free to focus on your practice.

If you choose to practice outside in the open air, then try not to practice in a cold breeze or conversely under the hot sun. Use common sense and find a spot that is comfortable for you.

As a final thought, always have something between you and the ground. In that regard a MAT is essential. There are some great mats and meditation pillows to be had which will definitely enhance your experience.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you can be assured that you will benefit from your yoga practice as you will have removed any physical obstacle which may interfere with your ability to build on and further your yoga practice.

For more information on yoga try visiting The-Yoga-Spot.com http://the-yoga-spot.com/index.htm where you’ll find helpful information on how best to practice yoga http://the-yoga-spot.com/Yoga_for_Beginners_and_Those_Going_Back_to_Yoga.htm what the health benefits of a yoga practice are, how the practice of yoga can alleviate back pain as well as information on the styles and types of yoga http://the-yoga-spot.com/Types_of_Yoga_Outlining_Different_Disciplines_and_Styles.htm that you can experience.

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By Dharmbir Sharma

The word yoga brings to mind, especially in the West a system of exercises or meditation to keep the body and mind healthy. But yoga is actually a philosophy, one of the six ancient schools of philosophy in India. The literal meaning of the word is union and the aim of yoga philosophy is the union of the individual soul and the Super-soul usually called God. The goal is to evolve the individual human being to spiritual perfection following a long and arduous path of self-discipline. The most authoritative book on yoga is Yoga Sutra of Paatanjali who expounded the philosophy. Yoga is also a science as most of the concepts discussed in Yoga Sutra are rational and even compatible with the views of modern science.

The system of yoga described in Yoga Sutra has eight components and thus it is called ashtaanga yoga. The first two components are called yama and niyama. Yama can be expressed as ‘vows of self-restraint or abstention’; niyama may be understood as ‘binding rules that must be observed’. The next two components belong to the category of exercises that most people are familiar with (aasana and praanayaam. The significance of putting yama and niyama even before the exercises is crucial to the understanding of the philosophy.

In order to start on the spiritual path it is essential that a person has the moral and ethical foundation for the endeavor. The first two components therefore provide the steps for character building. Each of these consists of different but related sub-components. Yama has five – nonviolence (ahimsaa), truthfulness (satya), honesty or lack of tendency to misappropriate (aasteya), sexual continence or restraint (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha). Niyama also has five and they are: purity or cleanliness (shaucha), contentment (santosha), austerity (tapah), self-study leading to the knowledge of the Self (svaadhyaaya), and complete surrender to God (Ishwar-pranidhaan).

It may be seen that the elements included in these two components define the traits of character that constitute ethical behavior in modern civilized societies. The practice of these elements has the common purpose of character building in the person starting yoga training. However, there is a subtle difference in the nature of practices involved under each component. Those under yama are moral and prohibitive in nature, while those under niyama are constructive and disciplinary in nature. Yama lays down the foundations of an ethical life and niyama helps the practitioner in making life organized and disciplined.

We thus see that the very basis of yoga is character building with emphasis on moral and ethical behavior. It is of course possible to start directly with exercises and meditation; that will certainly keep the body and mind healthy but will not take the person on the path of spiritual uplift. In this sense we can define two types of yoga – physical and spiritual. The former includes exercises and meditation (non-transcendental). It can also include practices of some adept yogis who may have acquired special psychic capabilities like clairvoyance. These are physical in the sense that they deal mainly with the phenomenal world. The spiritual yoga, on the other hand, deals with the inner world and strives for the lofty goal of Self-realization; having the proper ethical and moral foundation is a prerequisite for attaining this goal.

Dharmbir Rai Sharma is a retired professor with electrical engineering and physics background. He maintains a website http://www.cosmosebooks.com devoted mainly to philosophy, science, and self-development.

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By Richard Pettinger

Kundalini Yoga is the yoga of prana. Prana is the life energy we have within. In Kundalini Yoga a seeker aspires to harness this tremendous power through concentration and meditation. Kundalini Yoga is also known as the power of the Mother aspect of the Divine.

To practise Kundalini yoga we need to take the greatest care, it is advisable to always practise Kundalini yoga under the guidance of a spiritual teacher. The powers of Kundalini yoga can easily be misused causing problems for the seeker.

Sri Chinmoy says:

“If the spiritual centres – muladhara, svadhisthana and manipura – are opened untimely, without full preparation, they can create untold misery for the seeker.”

For this reason Sri Chinmoy advises concentration on the heart centre (anahata) It is here that a seeker can enjoy oneness and pure joy. The anahata centre has purity in abundant measure. This purity can be used to illumine the other centres, especially the lower ones. To open a charka a seeker needs to concentrate all his awareness on the particular energy centre, and invoke the presiding deity of the charka. Successful practise of Kundalini Yoga requires a seeker to gain control over his thoughts. He must become one-pointed and able to concentrate solely on his spiritual practise. For this there is no short-cut. Like other yoga’s an aspirant needs to develop spiritual discipline and learn the art of concentration.

Through practising Kundalini yoga an aspirant can develop occult, psychic powers. These powers can be used for constructive or destructive purposes, but quite often they are misused. For example the ability to read someone else’s mind can create problems and is likely to be resented by those who it is used on. The temptation is for seekers to use the Kundalini powers from an egoistic perspective. This is when problems will start to occur.

Compared to real spiritual power Kundalini powers are like a toy. On there own occult powers do nothing to expedite the spiritual progress of a seeker. Real spiritual progress comes from praying and meditating on God. Great aspirants and spiritual masters often find that Kundalini powers come of their own accord if they attain a certain level of spiritual realisation. However the powers come at a time when they have conquered the ego and so will not misuse them.

There is a story about Sri Ramakrishna and his dearest disciple Swami Vivekananda. Sri Ramakrishna offered to Swami Vivekananda all his occult powers. Vivekananda asked whether these would help him to realise God. Ramakrishna replied they wouldn’t but he could use these occult powers to do good in the world. Vivekananda replied that if these powers didn’t help his spiritual realisation he didn’t want them. Ramakrishna was so proud of his disciple for not being interested in the temptation of occult powers. Vivekananda went on to become a great Spiritual teacher, becoming one of the first Indian Guru’s to travel to the west.

If a seeker wishes to practise Kundalini yoga then it is vital he practises with the utmost sincerity. In particular he must follow the path devotedly. He should feel the need the importance of purity and love. Here we mean Divine love, love for the Divine Mother. We cannot follow the path of Kundalini Yoga whilst also wallowing in the pleasures of the world.

Also at the same time we should feel that the path of Kundalini Yoga is not indispensable. To make the fastest and safest spiritual progress we can follow other less arduous paths.

Richard lives in Oxford and is a member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre. Richard writes a blog on different topics such as spirituality meditation and inspiring photos.

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By Danna Schneider

I used to be one of those people that only worked out if it involved serious, jolting cardiovascular movement, lifting heavy weights, and basically moving fast and sweating my butt off.

Then I was introduced to yoga, a practice that I knew helped a lot of people with back and muscle problems, which I was starting to experience both with age and with my continuing status as a “desk job” professional. The funny thing is, I did not start practicing yoga to actually get a “work out”, which I thought could only be obtained through my grueling sessions on the treadmill, eliptical machine, and recumbent bike.

Oh no, for me yoga was strictly a relaxation exercise, one designed to help stretch my muscles and soothe my busy mind. Little did I realize, I was getting an excellent workout with yoga, combined with all the benefits of a serious cardio workout, as was apparent upon waking up the next day to an invariably sore rump and tummy.

But it didn’t always “feel” like I was working out when I did yoga, especially the better I got at it. I wondered why this could be. Then I figured it out, with a little help from a yoga instructor. She said that as you begin to learn to use your breath through the practice of yoga breathing techniques, your muscles actually get more oxygen.

Lack of oxygen to the muscles builds up lactic acid within the muscles, which leads to our sore muscles after a serious workout. Oxygen also plays a vital role in managing stress. It has been found in numerous studies that one who is under stress has low blood oxygen levels, and this is due to the fact that they are not breathing properly through the stressful or anxiety inducing event.

This is why you will often find that you feel short of breath when you are going through a stressful situation, and this is also why asthmatics often have asthma attacks during highly stressful episodes, or when their emotions are on “high”.

This made perfect sense. Not only did yoga help to streamline my body, but it helped me learn to manage my breathing, and condition my body and mind to manage stress and anxiety through breathing with my body, not against it. You see, yoga is much more than a meditational or contortionist exercise. It actually transcends what we think of as exercise.

Yoga is a tool that we can use to manage stress, condition our mind and body to be more in touch with one another, and to also gain a sense of tranquility and well being.

Yoga practice ranges from a more active, moving practice called Ashtanga yoga or power yoga, to a more methodical, slower moving practice called Hatha yoga, which concentrates more on a slower, fluid movement and is geared toward those that may not have exercised in a while or who have back issues.

There is also another type, which I had the pleasure of participating in on my recent trip to northern California, called Bikram yoga, where you practice yoga poses ranging form beginner to advanced in a room heated to almost 100 degrees farenheit.

This type of yoga can be strenuous on the beginner, and is usually only recommended for those who are very fit or very well versed in the practice of yoga. I found the Bikram yoga to be challenging, but after I emerged from the room after the two hours of posing, I felt a sense of empowerment and clarity that continued on for the rest of the evening.

It is said that Bikram yoga may actually help rid the body of toxins through the sweat that is produced during the practice. And believe me, sweat you will. There was not a person in the room that had anything less than soaking wet clothes.

Since I’ve started regularly practicing yoga about three times a week, I find my stress levels are down, my back hurts me less while I am working at my desk, and my muscles have taken on a longer, leaner look.

I feel that I am more intuned with my breathing, and I use my breath now to get me through stressful situations that usually would leave me breathless and anxious. I have found yoga to be a true blessing to my life, and will be a lifetime devotee of this empowering and enriching practice.

Danna Schneider is the founder of Herbal and Altnernative Medicine News and Natural Supplements where news on new natural products, herbal remedies, and alternative health can be found.

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By Michelle Bery

Yoga – the ancient art of breathing and stretching – has long been favored as a natural way to achieve optimal fitness and ward off stress. Today, more and more people are turning to yoga to help them achieve what traditional exercise has not – a mind/body connection that offers a greater level of health and inner peace.

Yoga positions consist of holding certain postures of the body while performing deep and precise breathing techniques. There are many types of yoga practice to which different people prescribe but there is a common thread that unites all sects of yoga. They all have various postures or positions that are common to yoga in general.

Some common yoga positions include:

Seated Yoga Position – Seated yoga positions often focus on learning disciplined breathing techniques. Participants sit cross legged in an erect position and learn to control their diaphragm and let their breathing work for them.

Standing Yoga Position – Standing yoga positions concentrates on improving flexibility and spinal alignment while still utilizing breathing techniques.

Supine Yoga Position – Supine yoga positions lengthen and strengthen the spinal column thus benefiting parts of the back.

Belly Down Yoga Position – Belly down yoga positions concentrate on abs and upper body strength. Participants are asked to lift themselves from the ground and perform a series of stretch positions in a fluid motion.

Balancing Yoga Position – Balancing yoga positions improve flexibility and strengthen back and abdominal muscles. Holding a particular position for an extended period of time while balancing body weight uses muscles much more then you would think.

Twisting Yoga Position – Twisting yoga positions stretch the body – most significantly the spinal column.

Yoga can be a wonderful way to tone your body, increase flexibility, improve cardiovascular function, and lower stress. Research yoga online or turn to professionals who practice and teach yoga. A local class can be just the thing to turn you on to the benefits of yoga positions.

For easy to understand, in depth information about yoga visit our ezGuide 2 Yoga.

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By Jim King

Yoga has been around for nearly two millenniums and has evolved gradually into various forms. It is considered one of the best forms of physical and mental exercise. People practice different kinds of yoga according to their needs. The main aim of yoga is to bring about a balance between the mind and body of an individual. Meditation is a part of all forms of yoga.

The basic form of yoga is the Hatha Yoga that enhances the physical aspect of an individual and is also recommended by the doctors as physical therapy. It consists of postures which are also known as asanas accompanied with breathing techniques known as pranayamas. The combination of asanas and pranayamas has been found very effective in treating and controlling a number of diseases.

Raja Yoga is another form of yoga that is closely linked with the Hatha Yoga. Once an individual becomes acquainted with it and has gained some proficiency in performing the asanas and pranayamas, this acts like a prerequisite to move to a higher level, that is, the Raja Yoga which is a more classical form of yoga which enables an individual to prepare himself for meditation for a longer duration of time. Certain religious groups follow this branch of yoga to attain more focus and concentration during meditation, for example, the Brahmakumaris. This is undertaken by people who have a more philosophical bent of mind and believe in asceticism and leading a life of deep meditation.

Karma Yoga is a practical application of yoga where the emphasis is on the deeds of an individual. The concept is that whatever an individual does in the present has a direct bearing on the future just as the present is the direct result of past deeds. The people who practice this form of yoga are conscious of leading a selfless life and are inclined to helping others as much as they can. This should be practiced on a daily basis whether at home or at work. This is a goal oriented yoga which makes a person introspect and meditate on life after death. Peace Corps, NGOs are examples of people who perform karma yoga at a conscious level.

Jnana Yoga can be cited as the most difficult form of yoga as it is directly related to the intellectual aspect of an individual. It involves the development of intelligence and wisdom through the study of the ancient texts and scriptures. This can be undertaken by scholars who have the interest and can devote their time patiently to unraveling the mysteries from the past.

Another form of yoga that is quite popular among the masses is the path of devotion called the Bhakti Yoga. In this form it is believed that everything is a creation of God hence God is everywhere and thus one must appreciate, respect and tolerate all forms of life one encounters.

It may not be possible to practice all forms of yoga by an individual considering his circumstances but it is certainly recommended that a person can choose the form of yoga that is suitable to him and try to achieve that balance between his body and mind to become a more productive and useful individual in his society.

For more helpful information on yoga and the fundamental principals of yoga visit http://www.yoga-explained.com

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Become a Yoga Teacher
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FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter.
Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/docs/Yoga-in-Practice-eBook.pdf

Visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Affiliates: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/signup.html
Sister Blog: http://yoga-teacher-training.blogspot.com/
On-Site Training: http://www.riyoga.com
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