Yoga Styles

Know Bikram Yoga Tips

The practice of yoga has spread around the world; but, not many know the many varieties of yoga. One unique style of yoga is bikram yoga, wherein yoga is practiced in a considerably hot room. Aside from the menagerie of styles, yoga boasts of a lot of benefits. And, regardless whether you are novice or an expert practitioner, one can reap these benefits. The reason behind this is that soul of yoga is its poses, and these poses can be held in different time lengths of time, the longer one holds a pose, the more one increases it difficulty. Hence, students have the control on the pace or difficulty level of their yoga session.

Yoga gives you a cardiovascular workout with the continuous and organic flow of poses. It also strengthens muscles since poses are held up for period of time, the weight of the body itself becomes the resistance. Lastly, flexibility is increased. The different poses which involve twisting, balancing, bending, flexing or other movements assist in lengthening muscles and loosening joints. With all these physical benefits, yoga is truly an effective fitness program. Especially with the fact that almost everyone can do it.

Yoga is not only a physical regimen, but it is also a form of relaxation. Just like exercising, when one does yoga, the body is able to release more endorphins. These hormones make a person feel good. Doing yoga also helps a person get rid of all the personal anxieties or tension from the outside world. The controlled breathing and the poses a practitioner must do can only be achieved with a clear and focused mind. With this mindful state, practitioners are more attuned to their body. The stress relief gained because of yoga, calms the body, lowers blood pressure while still allowing smooth blood flow to the different muscles of the body.

As mentioned, not many know that varieties of yoga. Some types look at yoga strictly as physical regimen, while some focus more on its meditative aspects. One type was already mentioned, and it was bikram yoga, where heat is an essential element. Another more modern variety is core power yoga. This form of yoga aims in increasing physical stamina, as result, sessions are usually physically exhaustive.

Nonetheless, yoga in general, benefits the person in a lot of ways. Muscle tone and strength, a stronger spine, better metabolism, greater balance, and body awareness are some of the rewards one gains through yoga. Another aspect of yoga worth mentioning is that it is cheap. You do not need a gym of equipment; all you need are loose comfortable clothes you can bend in and a yoga mat. And if you think classes are too expensive and prefer to do yoga in the privacy of your own room or home, then one can easily purchase any beginners yoga DVD that is available in the market.

Types of Yoga for Common Man

Many people actually practice yoga and adhere to its philosophies. There are many different types of yoga. The goal is to ultimately connect you with your inner self as you unite body and spirit through meditation and breathing.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word that has various meanings depending on the context of Hindu philosophy. In places outside India, it is normally associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas or positions as sort of exercise. Someone who observes yoga practices or follows the philosophy is called a Yogi or yogist in the modern times.

As people begin to practice and maybe go to a gym for a exercise class, they will discover that the old tradition of Yoga positions was strictly practiced by ancient gurus and sages. Somehow, Yoga is more about spiritual awareness. In Hinduism, it is also associated with one of the orthodox Ästika schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the purpose toward which that school conducts its practices. Several Hindu sacred writings and tantras such as the Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and the Shiva Samhita discuss the significant aspects of yoga. The main stems of yoga in Hindu philosophy include the Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. Raja Yoga is actually anthologized in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and is a part of the Samkhya tradition.

The Bhagavad Gita, meaning “Song of the Lord”, uses the word yoga broadly in a lot of ways. Bhagavad Gita’s chapter six is entirely devoted to the traditional yoga exercises and practice including meditation and features three major types of yoga such as Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. Karma Yoga is the yoga of action, Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion, and Jnana yoga is the yoga of knowledge.

For the bhakti schools of Vaishnavism, bhakti or service to the Svayam Bhagavan itself may be the topmost goal of the yoga position practice, where the goal is to take pleasure in an eternal relationship with the Supreme Being.

Yoga works on so many levels and incorporates intense concentration on the physical and mental part of the practice. This practice of yoga position indeed, has mental, physical, emotional and spiritual benefits all just waiting to be unleashed. It’s an ancient discipline intended at training the consciousness for a state of ideal spiritual insight and harmony that is actualized through the three yoga paths of actions, knowledge and devotion.

Focus on the mind with Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is named the king of Yoga. Raja Yoga directly aid you mind. In this Yoga there is no struggling with Prana or physical body. There are no Hatha Yogic Kriyas. The Yogi seats at ease, watches his mind and silences the bubbling thoughts. Raja Yoga stills your mind, block out negative thoughts and enter a thoughtless state of mind or Asamprajnata Samadhi, hence the name Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga follow both the Prakriti and Purusha philosophy, it helps the student in Advaitic Realization of oneness eventually. Though there is the mention of Purusha, the goal is to achieve Purusha with the “highest” self or Brahman of Upanishads. Raja Yoga pushes the student to the highest rung of the spiritual ladder of Advaitic realization of Brahman.

Patanjali’s Yoga system is written in Sutras. A ‘Sutra’ is a terse verse. It is written in an easily memorable form. It is packed with deep and sometimes hidden meaning and significance. Rishis of yore have expressed philosophical ideas and their realization in the form of Sutras only. It is very difficult to understand the meaning of the Sutras without the help of a commentary, a gloss or a teacher who is well-versed in Yoga. Only Yogis with many years of studying the writings can explain the full meaning of the Sutras. Literally, Sutra means a thread. Just as you put together flowers with all kind of different colours to beautify, just as pearls are arranged on a string to make a beautiful necklace, so also Yogic ideas are well-arranged in Sutras. The Sutras are arranged into normal chapters.

Samadhi-pada is the first chapter. It talks about different kinds of Samadhi. It is written in total of 51 Sutras. Difficulties with meditation, five kinds of Vritti and their control, three kinds of Vairagya, nature of Ishvara, various methods to enter into Samadhi and the way to acquire peace of mind by developing virtues are described here.

The Second Chapter is Sadhana-pada. It contains 55 Sutras. It treats of Kriya Yoga, Tapas, study and self-surrender to God.

Gain flexibility and strength with Hatha Yoga

What almost everybody think is “regular” yoga is Hatha yoga. Hatha Yoga is a sort of yoga made by Swatmarama, a yoga guru and teacher from India which lived in 15th century. This particular system of yoga is the most popular one, and it is from which several other Styles of Yoga originated including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga. The word “hatha” comes from the Sanskrit terms “ha” meaning “sun” and “tha” meaning “moon”. Hatha Yoga is wellknown for the style of yoga that combine pairs of opposites, refering to the sun (positive) and the moon (negative). It has it’s main aim on the third limb (Asana) and the fourth limb (Pranayama) in the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

Hatha Yoga is practicing the balance between your body and mind, it also help to free the unidentifiable spiritual parts of our mind through physical postures or Asanas, Pranayama which is the important breathing techniques, and Meditation.

Asanas are various body positions designed to improve health and remove diseases in the physical, causal, and subtle bodies. “Asana”, which is a Sanskrit word, have the meaning of “seat”, which refers not only to the physical position of the body but also to the position of the body in relation to divinity. They were originally meant for Meditation, as the postures can make you feel relaxed for a long period of time. The regular practice of Asanas will grant the practitioner muscle flexibility and bone strength, as well as non-physical rewards such as the development of will power, concentration, and self-withdrawal.

If we look at Pranayama, the word is made up of “prana” (life-force or energy source) and “ayama” (to control). Pranayama main focus is on breathing control. This is an important part of Hatha Yoga because yogis from India have always believed that by controlling the breathing you are able to control the mind as well. The practice of Pranayama can also help unleash the dormant energies inside our body.
By exercising Hatha yoga you can discover your physical and mental potentials. Through continued performance of Asanas and Pranayama, you will achieve flexibility and strength, and become more relaxed in even the most stressful situations. Hatha Yoga’s relaxation exercises will open the energy channels, which in turn allows spiritual energy to flow freely. A few Hatha yoga poses help your internal organs as well, preventing various diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension. Another positive effect is that it balance the internal and glandular functions of the body. Pranayama, on the other hand, can help manage asthma and bronchitis.

Hatha Yoga will help you through a stressful day, it relieve built up tension, and deal with anxiety and depression. The most important part is that it help you to keep your mind focused and prepared for meditation and, hopefully help you in the search for enlightenment.