Yoga

[Lucasinvictus]

The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between mind, body and spirit.



What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.

Asana is only one of the eight so-called "limbs" or types of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. Today, however, the words asana and yoga have become almost synonymous.

Yoga Poses Many people think that yoga is stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility.

This is done through the performance of poses, each of which has specific physical benefits. The poses can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect the alignment of the pose. There is an ideal way that each pose should be done, although not all yogis will agree about what that is.


Yoga Practice Yoga teachers will often refer to "your practice," which means your individual experience with yoga as it develops over time. The amazing thing about yoga is that your practice is always evolving and changing so it never gets boring. Although the poses themselves do not change, your relationship to them will. Anyone can start a yoga practice, even if you don't feel like you are very flexible or very strong. These things will develop over time. Another great thing about thinking of yoga as "your practice" is that it encourages the noncompetitive spirit of yoga. One of the most difficult, but ultimately most liberating things about yoga is letting go of the ego and accepting that no one is better than anyone else. Everyone is just doing their best on any given day.



[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Fourfold Yoga has been prescribed for Cosmic Union in Oriental Philosophies. They are:[/font]

1. [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Action (Karma Yoga) [/font]
2. [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Psychic Control (Raja Yoga)[/font]
3. [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Universal Love (Bhakthi Yoga) [/font]
4. [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Wisdom (Jnana Yoga) [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Action is for the person of active temparament. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Psychic Contro is for the person of adventurous temparament [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Universal Love is for the person of emotional temparament. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Union via Wisdom is for the person of intellectual temparament. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]These four paths are not different from one another. They are all part of the Fourfold Yoga. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Certain qualities are to be inculcated in the seeker if he is to achieve the Ultimate Goal. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Prajna has been defined as the discriminative intellect. When the intellect discriminates between the Real & the Unreal. The intellect which discrimi- nates between Being and Non-Being. This quality should be incorporated by the Intellectual Man if he is to progress in the path of Jnana Yoga. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Love is defined as the greatest of all the positive qualities of man. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This quality is to be incorporated by the Emotional Man if he is to progress in the field of Bhakthi Yoga. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Control of Mind or Psychic Control through Raja Yoga should be incorporated by the Adventurous Man if he is to progress in the field of Raja Yoga. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Selfless Service should be incorporated by the Active Man if he is to progress in the field of Karma Yoga. [/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In other words, since the Fourfold Yoga has been prescribed for mankind , all these four great qualities - Selfless service, love, psychic control & the discriminative intellect should be incorporated by the spiritual aspirant to develop in the field of Yoga. [/font][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yoga was defined by Aurobindo as a methodic process towards self-perfection through a development of the latent potential at the five levels of Being - physical, vital, mental, intellectual & spiritual. Normal man lives only in the first three sheaths - physical, vital & mental. Only when we use our hidden spiritual potential - the intellectual & the bliss sheaths - can we unfold our full mental potential.[/font]

http://healing.about.com/od/basics/

 

[progressivegal]

Interesting. I practice Hatha Yoga (and I'm currently working on my teacher certification).
There are so many missconceptions about it, the main one being that it derives from Hinduism. God has used yoga to heal alot of people, and it's such a great exercise for everyone, young old, injured, healthy, you name it! You can probably tell by my avatar that I am a big fan of the practice

 

[Lucasinvictus]

..well it does in essence actually derive from ancient hinduism... and many of its tribal shamanic offshoots....

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Though Yoga's Origin is shrouded, evidence links the earliest Yoga tradition back at least 5000 years to the beginning of human civilization. Scholars believe that yoga grew out of Stone Age Shamanism, because of the cultural similarities between Modern Hinduism and Mehrgarh, a neolithic settlement (in what is now Afghanistan). In fact, much of Hindu ideas, rituals and symbols of today appear to have their roots in this shamanistic culture of Mehrgahr. Early Yoga and archaic shamanism had much in common as both sought to transcend the human condition. The primary goal of shamanism was to heal members of the community and act as religious mediators. Archaic Yoga was also community oriented, as it attempted to discern the cosmic order through inner vision, then to apply that order to daily living. Later, Yoga evolved into a more inward experience, and Yogis focused on their individual enlightenment and salvation. The first archaeological evidence of Yoga's existence is found in stone seals excavated from the Indus valley. The stone seals depict figures performing Yoga postures. These artifacts officially put Yoga on the History books circa 3000 B.C., and more importantly link it to the great Indus-Sarasvati Civilization. The Indus-Sarasvati was the largest civilization in the ancient world and exceptionally modern for its time. Named after the two rivers that flowed through India, the Indus-Sarasvati was a maritime society, exporting goods throughout the Middle East and Africa. They constructed multistory buildings, a sewage system, and laid out geometrical brick roads.

The Vedas
The Indus-Sarasvati civilization also gave birth to the ancient texts known as the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the world. The Vedas is a collection of hymns that praises a higher power; it contains the oldest recorded Yogic Teachings and is considered divine revelation. Thus, the wisdom of the Vedas is known as Vedic or Pre-classical Yoga. Vedic Yoga is characterized by ritualistic ceremonies from which the Yoga practice that requires Yoga practitioners to transcend the limitations of the mind originated.

Vedic literature is replete with references to prayerful contemplation'; (Brahman), higher vision; (dhi), and; the ideal harmony; (rita). Vedic people relied on rishis (dedicated Vedic Yogis) to teach them how to live in divine harmony. Through intensive spiritual practice, rishis were often gifted with visions of the ultimate reality. Later, texts known as the Brahmanas were written to explain the rituals and the hymns of the Vedas. The Aranyakas texts followed, detailing rituals for Yogis living in the seclusion of the forest. This era also served as the beginning of India's medical tradition known as Ayurveda. Around 1900 B.C., a tectonic shift caused the great Rasvati River to dry up, forcing the exodus of the Indus-Sarasvati civilization southward towards the Ganges River.

Pre-Classical Yoga


Sometime between 1800 and 1500 B.C., Gnostic texts called the Upanishads appeared. The 200 or so scriptures comprising the Upanishads, explained the transcendental self; (atman) and its relation to the ultimate reality (Brahman). The Karma doctrine is believed to have originated with the Upanishads as well. Just as the New Testament rests upon but furthers the Old Testament, so too, the Upanishads further expounds upon the scriptures of the Vedas. The teaching of the Upanishads dawned the era of Pre-classical Yoga.

Around 1400 B.C., a great sage named Vyasa, categorized the Vedic hymns into the 4 Vedic texts we know today: Rig Veda ("Knowledge of Praise"), Yajur-Veda ("Knowledge of Sacrifice"), Sama-Veda ("Knowledge of Chants"), and Atharva-Veda ("Knowledge of Atharvan"). In 1200 B.C., the great enlightened teacher Rishabha started the tradition known as Jainism which is also dedicated to the liberation of the spirit. Then in 1000 B.C., a second urbanization began along the banks of the Ganges River (the former Indus-Sarasvati civilization). Later, in the sixth century B.C., Lord Buddha spread the teaching of Buddhism which stresses the importance of Meditation and ethics over Physical Postures. Buddhism had some similarities with Hinduism; however, Yoga sages saw the limitations of ignoring the physical purification process. Siddhartha Gautama who is skilled in Meditation and is one of the first Buddhists who also studied Yoga attained enlightenment at the age of 35.

Today The Bhagavad-Gita has had perhaps, the most profound influence on Hindu culture and philosophy. This ancient text was written about 500 B.C. and is the first scripture devoted entirely to Yoga. The Bhagavad-Gita confirms that Yoga was quite ancient by the time of its writing. Only 700 verses long, the Gita is a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the God-man Krishna. The Gita's message is to oppose evil in the world. The Gita earned its relevance because of its attempt to blend Jnana-Yoga.Bhakati-Yoga and Karma-Yoga together unifying these various Yogic traditions. Many schools during this era taught ways of reaching deep levels of Meditation in order to surpass the mind and body system to achieve one's true, limitless self.

Buddhism quickly grew, and in 480 B.C. senior disciples of Buddha systematized the Buddhist teachings. For the next few hundred years, the canonical scriptures of Buddhism were structured. In 300 B.C., Jaimini composed the Mimamsa-Sutra, the first authoritative text of Hinduism. Jaimini is regarded as a disciple of Vyasa. Soon after this, Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism and extensively spread Buddhism. This was the greatest era of Buddhist influence in India



Classical Yoga



AAfter the turn of the millennium, the spread of Yoga in its different forms gave rise to the need for standardization. Thus in the second century C.E., Patanjali composed a seminal text, Yoga-Sutra and defined Classical Yoga. The 195 aphorisms or sutras that comprise the Yoga Sutra, expound upon Raja-Yoga (the eightfold Yoga path). The Yoga Sutra is meant to be memorized as a means of internalizing its wisdom. The Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga are: 1) yama, or restraint, 2) niyama, or observance of purity, tolerance and study, 3) Asana, or Physical Exercises, 4) Pranayama or Breath control, 5) pratyahara, or preparation for Meditation 6) dharana, or concentration, 7) dhyana or Meditation and 8) samadhi or absorption in the sublime. Patanjali advocates studying the sacred scriptures as part of the Yoga practice, which becomes Classical Yoga's distinct feature.

The real ground breaking characteristic of Yoga-Sutra however, is its precept of philosophical dualism. Patanjali believed that separation of the matter (prakriti) and spirit (purusha) were necessary to cleanse the spirit to absolute purity. This is in stark contrast to Pre-classical and Vedic Yoga, which adopts the unification of the body and the spirit. The teachings of Patanjali represent a departure from traditional non-dualistic Yoga and laid the groundwork for Postclassical Yoga. For centuries after Patanjali, the dualism of Yoga was predominant. Yogis focused almost exclusively on Meditation and neglected the Asanas. They were attempting to exit the mortal coil and merge with the ultimate reality through contemplation. But with the advent of alchemy, a precursor to chemistry, the Yoga masters rekindled their belief in the body as a temple. Contemporary thought shifted to health, longevity and maintenance. As such, the Yoga masters attempted to demonstrate that new Yoga techniques fundamentally alters the body's biochemistry and makes it immortal. This led back to the Pre-classical and Vedic Yoga belief about the primacy of the Asana and to the beginning of Postclassical Yoga

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp

 

[progressivegal]

Interesting, my certification materials differ from that ecplanation slightly. I guess it was so long ago that we'll never know for sure

 

[Lucasinvictus]

.. well im sure the understanding of it has evolved slightly over the years.... how long ago was it?.. what did it say the origins were?

 

[Lucasinvictus]

... bump for the sun salutation ... and prog. gal's origins

 

[progressivegal]

Lol, It's coming, I have to copy it out of my manual, so I've been putting it off.

 

[Lucasinvictus]

.. a quick summary would be dandy.. no need to copy out the whole thing

 

[panoramical]

Very interesting. Sounds like a benefitial activity.

 

[Lucasinvictus]

Sounds like a benefitial activity

... indeed.. on many levels

 

[indianx]

There are so many missconceptions about it, the main one being that it derives from Hinduism.

I don't know where you found that and I am interested to know where you found that. The Hindus in the ancient times used yoga as a part of their goal of realizing the brahman. In fact, yoga is an essential part of hinduism, the sun salutation is an example. Patanjali, the man who wrote the yogic practices which are followed today, is one of the most important Hindu rishis in history.

Yoga itself in sanskrit comes from the root Yuj which means 'to yoke' (back to the Brahman).

 

[Big Rob]

.

 

[fitmom]

Yoga makes me think of young girls in tight pants bending in weird and oddly sexy ways.

mmmmm yoga....

Is there a valid point?

 

[Big Rob]

Is there a valid point?

Should there be?

 

[fitmom]

Yoga makes me think of young girls in tight pants bending in weird and oddly sexy ways.

mmmmm yoga....

Well, yes, this is Christain forums and we contribute our experiences, expertise, questions, disagreements etc, not your sexual fantasies of young girls. My 16 year old daughter goes on CF and this is because it is a Christian environment. Just a suggestion, have your fantasies, but keep them to yourself? Please? IMHO, this is an inapproriate post.

God Bless,J

 

[Big Rob]

Well, yes, this is Christain forums and we contribute our experiences, expertise, questions, disagreements etc, not your sexual fantasies of young girls. My 16 year old daughter goes on CF and this is because it is a Christian environment. Just a suggestion, have your fantasies, but keep them to yourself? Please? IMHO, this is an inapproriate post.

God Bless,J

It's gone. Calm down k?

 

[fitmom]

It's gone. Calm down k?

Thank you and God Bless, J

 

[jingwei]

why do people do yoga?

 

[fitmom]

why do people do yoga?

That is a loaded question.
I practice/teach yoga because of the strength/balance/breath benefits. I enjoy the challenges and the quiet. I enjoy seing the improvements to all I have mentioned. I enjoy teaching it and it pays well. I have adapted or designed some yoga classes that incorporates the swiss ball, weights and a theraband. I would never practice a style of yoga that involved chanting or any thing other than the asanas-poses, pranayama-breath.
God Bless,J

this is a good question!

 

[Lucasinvictus]

I would never practice a style of yoga that involved chanting or any thing other than the asanas-poses, pranayama-breath

... why not?.. if your against chanting.. or chakra work with tones and resonance... then i dont see why you wouldnt be against pranayama too... which is one of the more intimate meditational practises...

.. chanting/meditation/prayer/zazen/dzogchen/fasting/mindfullness... all different paths up the same hill imo