Archive for May 16th, 2008

Written By Sarah Russell

Yoga is a form of exercise derived from ancient Hindu practice. It strengthens and stretches the body using poses called asanas. It can also help reduce stress, and help people find inner peace. It’s used by some modern Hindu practitioners as an aid towards attaining enlightenment.

It’s important to remember that yoga is more than just a series of exercises. It applies to the body, but also to the mind and spirit. Yoga derives from philosophies meant to help practitioners attain harmony and spiritual insight. The word is derived from a Sanskrit term meaning to join. The same word may also be related to the word referred to the yokes worn by oxen, and may be the ancestor of our modern words “junction” and “juxtapose”.

There are many different schools of yoga, each with its own beliefs and practices. Here are the five most common types of yoga. Remember that there are plenty of other options that aren’t listed here.

Hatha Yoga is the most popular school of yoga, and has been taught commonly in the West for a number of years. This type of yoga focuses on the perfection of the mind through the perfection of the body. It uses many breathing techniques, meditative techniques, and asanas.

Ashtanga Yoga is another popular type of yoga. It’s performed much more quickly than most other schools, and is almost a form of aerobic yoga. Smooth, but speedy transitions between poses are a focus.

Kundalini Yoga focuses on the awakening and focusing of what’s called kundalini energy. This energy is frequently referred to as a type of life energy lying dormant inside us, and may be represented by a coiled serpent.

Mantra Yoga is based around the discipline of calming body and mind using sounds and words. You may be familiar with the chant of “om”. This is a common mantra used by this school of yoga.

Tantra Yoga is famous, or infamous, for its focus on spirituality through sexuality. Like Kundalini Yoga, this school also focuses on kundalini energy, but has a different intent and different methods for awakening it.

No matter which school you choose, you’ll find that yoga is a rich and satisfying practice. It can benefit most people, no matter what their age, if practiced regularly. Asanas may be adapted to deal with injuries and other physical limitations, making yoga a worthwhile form of exercise for people who can’t do other types.

There are traditionally eight fundamental paths to yoga: Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Purna Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Ashtanga or Raja Yoga, and Maha Yoga. However, in the Western world, when you hear yoga mentioned, it’s usually in reference to Hatha Yoga. In Hindu practice, yoga’s ultimate goal is liberating the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth, as well as from worldly suffering. Through yoga, it is believed to be possible to master the mind, body, and emotions, and to transcend desire.

Want to learn more about how yoga can change your life? Check out Sarah Russell’s new book – The Beginner’s Guide to Yoga and Meditation – at:

http://www.Mind-Body-Connection.com

Written By Bertil Hjert

The main aim behind the various practices of this Yoga is to sustain life by maintaining a proper alignment with the dogma of the Siddha Yoga path. The meditation is one of the most significant practices, which enables the individual to experience his divine consciousness that is considered as the true nature.

Along with meditation, other practices include Chanting, Seva, Dakshina, Hatha Yoga, Satsang, and Retreat which take the students to the path of enlightenment with the grace of the Guru through Shaktipat inititation.

All these spiritual practices further help in developing a stronger and balanced mind along with an increased potential for love, magnanimousness, and service.

A) Basic awareness regarding Siddha Yoga information

It is one of the most mysterious and ancient arts in the world, which has covered a period of thousand of years. The various hidden truths of Siddha Yoga make everyone to learn the exact way of living their god-gifted life. It is also known as the yoga of activity, as it edifies the correct actions to be taken in all invigorating situations.

As discussed earlier, that this practice is a path towards internal development and internal improvement, therefore it protects the individual from being occupied by the internal dreams which have cropped up due to the bewildering influences of the external life.

The teachings of this Yoga have enabled the people to amend their destinies. Not only this, they can even bring a change in their internal attitude for various things and in their own actions.

Therefore, the life domineered by the principles of Yoga is totally different from that of an ordinary life, as the person becomes capable of facing the various troubles, difficulties, and failures of life after undergoing various practices of Yoga, but this is not so in the case of ordinary life.

B) Contribution in curing diseases

As we all know, that our modern medical science has classified the diseases in two major categories of Physical Diseases and Mental Diseases which are treated with various medicines or therapeutic applications.

But according to the studies of the Indian Sage, Patanjali, the diseases are categorized into three classes: Physical (Aadhidehik), Mental (Aadhibhautik), and Spiritual (Aadhidaivik).

This is so because, according to the ancient Indian sages, the sufferings in humans’ life are not due to the exposure to germs or pathogens, rather because of their actions in their past lives which is known as “The Spiritual Law Of Karma”.

It has been found by various spiritual masters that a spiritual disease can be cured by spiritual remedies which can further be done by practicing Yoga under the supervision of spiritual masters. Because, these spiritual remedies will enable the sufferers to cut down their web of Karmic past so as to free themselves from various diseases and to understand the main purpose of their lives via self-awakening.

Not only this, it has also been proved that Yoga has come up with the fruitful outcomes in curing various chronic disorders like arthritis, diabetes and even deadly diseases like cancer or AIDS. Furthermore it has always succeeded in the cases where the medical science has reached to their final limitations to cure various diseases.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about YOGA and MEDITATION please visit YOGA TIPS and MEDITATIONBUZZ

Written By Bertil Hjert

Siddha Yoga is a path of spirituality, which is gaining popularity tremendously worldwide. It has helped its followers to reach to their state of spiritual liberation or enlightenment by following its teachings and practices.

It works over the guidelines of Hindu spiritual traditions of Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. It has opened around six hundred meditation centers and ashrams for its followers all across the globe including India, Unites States, Great Britain, and Japan.

A) History

After going through the available records, it has been found that this path of spirituality came into existence in West by Swami Muktananda in 1970s, who was the devotee of Swami Nityananda and acquired the state of enlightenment.

After the death of Swami Nityananda, the lineage of Siddha Yoga was then passed on to the hands of Swami Chidvilasananda who is famously known as “Gurumayi”. Swami Chidvilasananda, being a kingpin of this new path of enlightenment, guides the students in the teachings and practices of Siddha Yoga so as to enable them to experience the awareness of themselves.

B) Various practices

The various practices of Siddha Yoga, which enable the students to move on to the path of enlightenment, are as follow:

a) Meditation: It is the silent focusing on a mantra “Om Namah Shivay” or on the flow of breath.

b) Chanting: It involves the chanting of Sanskrit mantra which can be the short Sanskrit texts known as Nama Sankritana or even the longer phrases of Sanskrit known as Swadhyaya. The forms of these texts generally include the Guru Gita, morning and evening artis, Kundalini Stavaha, and Shree Rudram.

c) Seva: Seva include the various types of services done at the ashrams or centers as an offering to the deities.

d) Dakshina: It is a practice of repaying the Guru as a token of respect and thankfulness after a period of receiving teachings on the spiritual path. This repayment can either be a financial offering or a gift.

e) Satsang: Satsang is a combination of two words, “Sat” means Truth and “Sang” means Company. Therefore, Satsang is described as the group meetings or programs accompanied by the highest truth. These are generally held weekly at the ashrams and the meditation centers of Siddha Yoga. It comprises of various elements including lectures, meditations, or recitations that are conducted by the Guru.

f) Intensives: They are the gatherings which are especially designed to enable the devotees to experience enlightenment or self-realization. They bring a momentary change in the state of consciousness of an individual which further enable them to understand the ultimate truth of themselves. Therefore, these intensives play a significant role in the philosophy of Siddha Yoga. They are generally held twice a year.

C) Gurudev Siddha Peeth

Gurudev Siddha Peeth is the first Siddha Yoga Ashram, which is located at the Tansa Valley in Maharashtra. It promotes the students of Siddha Yoga to participate actively in the retreats and to serve the mission of Siddha Yoga.

The humanitarian expressions of Siddha Yoga comprises of two main elements including The PRASAD Project which works for various health, education, and sustainable development programs for children and communities in need. It also comprises of the Muktabodha Indological Research Institute for the preservation of the ancient Indian scriptures and Vedic traditions.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about YOGA and MEDITATION please visit YOGA TIPS and MEDITATIONBUZZ

Written By Brian Doran

Today many dissimilar styles of Yoga are being taught and practiced throughout the world. It is an acknowledged truth that health and Yoga are closely intertwined.

Reading about Yoga and understanding some concepts related to it are not anything like actually practicing the art. Yoga for Beginner realizes that the many benefits are foreign to most people in the Western World. The benefits of this exercise are cumulative. While some styles are more powerful and intense, others are more relaxing and soothing.

Such as Jackie developed the Real World program because not all people who benefit are flexible, young and injury free. The poses in Anusara are considered to be heart oriented, and expressed from the inside out.

Two basic components of Hatha are proper breathing and exercises, called postures that stretch the body. Raja and Hatha are interdependent. While the lists of advantages of practicing are long, many of these take years of constant practice before they fully develop.

In modern society, people who turn to this practice are the ones who feel the need to expand and better their lives in all they do. Furthermore, the benefits are not merely physical; It can help enhance focus in your daily life as well. These secrets are within the hearts of everyone. The six series of Pattabhi Jois’s Ashtanga Vinyasa are by far the best known and most influential.

Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, and Raja are considered the four main techniques but there are many other types. The two main advantages are prevention of disorders and ailments, and maintenance of health and fitness in daily life.

Soymilk and Yoga are a winning combination that can help you feel your best. The teachings are known to have arisen from the observation of nature.

If you are feeling the need to unite your body and mind into a healthy, strong joint force, you too should try a method of practice today.

About the Author

Brian Doran runs an online skateboard site that shares wild stunt videos, tips and tricks for the beginner, skateboarding advice from the experts, and sells equipment and accessories for the skateboarding fan. Join the forum with other avid skateboarders and learn a new stunt to show off to your friends today! http://jpcskateboards.com

Written By James J. Jones

Yoga is an ancient mind-body unifying practice that originated in India but has now spread throughout the entire world. Although in India it is regarded as a religious practice, in the western world it has become a secular practice focusing on conditioning and toning the body, while calming the body and mind. While the dates of yoga’s origination vary, experts have two estimations: one is that it began around 3,000 B.C.E, and the other is that it started as far as 8,000 B.C.E. Either way, yoga has withstood the test of time because this practice is proven to reduce stress, increase flexibility, improve breathing, calm the mind, tone the muscles, and increase longevity.

Anyone can practice yoga – literally! Despite age, flexibility, or any physical limitations, there is a type of yoga for everybody. Children’s, geriatric, and prenatal yoga are all becoming very popular exercise classes in addition to the traditional yoga classes. There are many types of yoga (hence the wide array of classes to choose from), including but not limited to Kundalini, Jivamukti, Hatha, Bhakti, and more. There are even hybrid classes of yoga – for example, many classes now offer Yoga and Pilates classes mixed together. Some Aqua Yoga classes (combining swimming with yoga) are beginning to spring up around the country too!

The wide variety of yoga classes serve as a testament to the potency and benefits of practicing yoga. Besides becoming physically toned and lean, people report being able to breathe easier, to think more clearly, and to handle their emotions better. People with chronic pain routinely report having less pain, and people with concentration disorders are able to focus for longer periods of time. Appetites become controllable, sleep becomes deeper and uninterrupted, and many people become more creative! Effects of practicing Yoga can be felt immediately, which is another reason why yoga’s popularity has surged in modern life’s fast paced environment.

Yoga does not require many supplemental instruments to be effective. Instead of using cumbersome weights, certain types of shoes, or special outfits, yoga only requires comfortable clothing and a yoga mat. The yoga mat cushions the ground and makes practicing the poses very comfortable. Due to yoga’s popularity, many businesses do sell specific yoga clothes, but any comfortable clothing will do.

In addition to practicing asanas (the Sanskrit term for ‘yoga poses’), most classes culminate with a meditation. Yoga is very concerned with unifying the body and mind, so while the physical poses do wonders for the body, the meditations provide respite for the mind. This balance is lacking in other forms of exercise. While practicing yoga, not only will physical prowess increase, but mental abilities will skyrocket as well.

Yoga can be practiced almost anywhere, and at anytime (although some places and times are more conducive to certain people than others). People enjoy the flexibility yoga offers – a person can take yoga classes, learn from e-books, follow DVD’s, or practice solely on their own. Yoga is a wonderful way to transform physical appearances and mental stability, and anyone can partake in this powerful exercise!

5 home business CD’s for just one penny! And I’ll ship them to you free…

1) Audio CD: How to Make Money Selling Hot Niche Info Products You Can Get for Free. Value: $47.00

2) Video CD: The Lost Videos. Value: $39.00

3) Audio CD: Success Secrets Revealed. Value: $39.98

4) Video CD: How To Find Red Hot Impulse Buyers and How You Can Make Money Showing Them where to find the Solution They Desperately Desire. Value: $49.00

5) Business Start Up Power Pack CD containing 9 business plans you can implement now. Value $67.00

Click here for details…