Posts Tagged ‘Types Of Yoga’

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.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by admin - August 31, 2009 at 3:51 pm

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Yoga Meditation Music – an important aspect of yoga practice

The practice of poses is only part of the yoga picture. Yoga meditation is also an important part of your practice, as is the ancient philosophy behind yoga, and Ayurveda, yoga’s sister discipline. To help you with this meditation, you should take the time to download yoga music. Such music will help your mind and body relax enough so that you can really center yourself. Yoga meditation music will help a person move away from environmental distractions so that they can clear the mind and focus on what is important. Yoga is meant to not only improve your strength and flexibility but to also clear your mind so that you can focus on the important things and meditate on everything from your own life to the world around you.

Atmosphere created by Yoga meditation Music

Thus, when you choose yoga meditation music, you should think about the kind of atmosphere you are going for. If you want a more active form of yoga, you may want to go for a quick drum-like form of yoga meditation music If you are looking for something more peaceful or relaxing, then you might want to go for yoga meditation music that centers around harps and string instruments, or the music from nature like the soothing sounds of water and birds. One can find a different atmosphere with different yoga music. To suit different types of yoga, there are a lot of different variety of yoga meditation yoga music available in the market.

Personal Tastes

You may find with time that you enjoy music with words, or you may discover you find drums more effective to strings or vice versa. The more you do yoga and the more music you listen to, the more you will know about your personal tastes in regards to yoga meditation music. Knowing how different forms of yoga meditation music affect your mind and body while practicing yoga can help you narrow down your hunt.

Type of Yoga You Are Practicing

Yoga is a great way to not only improve your physical health but also your mental health. Key thing to remember when downloading yoga meditation music is the kind of yoga you intend to practice. Different forms of yoga will need or require different kinds of focus. For example, if you are doing a more meditative or inspiration focused form of yoga, you may want yoga meditation music that is not intrusive but surrounds you. In this situation, it may help you to hear the same sound periodically – a flute, a gong, or drum are all great choices – because it will help you focus on what’s important: your mind and the poses. Additionally, if you are learning a new yoga pose or are in a group setting, you may want music that you barely notice because you want to limit external distractions.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by admin - August 6, 2009 at 11:24 am

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{Yoga Teacher Training – Become a Yoga Teacher – Part I}

Yoga teacher training is one of the best forms of having a career, in a field that you have a passion and belief for. There are of course the added benefits of yoga teacher training, like ones own health being maintained, apart from the financial benefits.

We are currently going through a touch time financially and this are trying times hence taking on the course of Yoga Teacher Training is a good way to add to your income. But this is a career that needs a total commitment and more than that , a belief in this way of life , and the benefits that yoga adds to ones life.

One should ask oneself some questions, before one takes on the Yoga Teacher Training course.

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BECOMING A YOGA TEACHER

 

Heres some things that you should check, look into before going down this career path….

1.  do you, yourself actively follow a yoga program

2.  do you consciously look into improving your own health and well being with regular practice of yoga and its beliefs.

3.  to follow the path of yoga teacher training, you should yourself set a high standard for healthy living, and be a good example of a person living a healthy lifestyle , and avoiding substance abuse etc.

4.   Commitment to a Personal Yoga Practice and a Personal Physical Conditioning Program

5.   If you already have done a basic course in yoga teacher training , and are looking to go up to the next level, ask yourself if you have enjoyed the earlier classes you have given , your commitment to them & your students , and if you would like to continue down this career path.

 

STARTING ON THE PREPERATIONS FOR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

 

If you feel that you fulfill the above criteria, and would like to proceed with this career path, then there are some things that you should look into.

1.  if you are looking to do an advanced course , beyond level one , then study the different types of yoga genres that you would like to teach/ qualify in—e.g. bhakti yoga, hatha yoga, vinyasa yoga, iyengar yoga etc.

2.  Look at the options of the courses available. In today’s date there are a variety of choices in the mediums that you can do your course in- like the internet, or teaching DVD/CD etc or books.

Apart from attending physical classes of yoga teacher training, you also have a wide variety of choices in e-yoga classes on the internet, and long distance home study yoga teacher training courses that you can do.

3.Its always a good thing to study the opinions and feed backs from other users that have used the site for yoga teacher training. The feedback we get from these are quite valuable in choosing a correct course.

4.  Ensure that the course for yoga teacher training, is certified by recognized institutions e.g.  National Yoga Alliance or other such recognized yoga bodies.

Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by admin - July 5, 2009 at 3:24 pm

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Try Yoga For Insomnia

Some people walk into their bedrooms and just pass out. You envy them because you can’t do that. You have insomnia: you can’t get to sleep easily, and when you do and you wake up, you can’t get back to sleep. Why not try Yoga for insomnia? Yoga can help relax you enough to let you sleep. When incorporated into your daily routines, you will notice that you get more sleep. Results like that count, especially when your insomnia is stress related.

You may have to do some research, as there are different schools or types of Yoga. You can start by Googling up Yoga online, to read more about this. But you may be taken aback by so much information about the subject. Also, Yoga sometimes is packaged in press releases with religious undertones. But you only need Yoga for insomnia.

What you could do is find a Yoga class, whose Yoga instructor can walk you through what Yoga will be taking from your usual work week and weekends. Yoga, as a routine exercises, is no different from scheduled work outs. The difference is the effect on your sanity and peace of mind. Think of your mind as a stressed out clenched fist. Yoga’s exercises can help you slide down from that tension and let your tight fist slowly unclench and relax. That helps a lot in getting you to sleep.

If you want to practice Yoga at home, you could do three things. Stay online and research until you find a site that provides exercises without too much reading into Yoga’s history. You can print the exercises and their directions and follow them. Or you could hire a Yoga instructor who will guide you through the stretching exercises and postures, all in the familiar and safe haven of your home. Or you could buy a book on Yoga and try out the illustrated stretching exercises and positions there. The benefits of all three options is that you stay at home, free to do Yoga at your time and pace, and most probably, before going to bed.

Please try to consult your doctor about your trying Yoga, just in case some positions may result in some injury or may aggravate an existing medical condition. The books may mention this, but one advantage of a Yoga instructor is that he or she can assess you and your body as to the state of readiness of both for Yoga exercises.

Before you dive into searching for Yoga websites, books, or nearby Yoga classes, what most information on Yoga will tell you about its connection to insomnia, is this. Yoga’s stretching and its many relaxation exercises will help you sleep, that there’s no age cap on practicing Yoga, and that’s its insertion into your routines will overall benefit your health and peace of mind.

Regardless of the type of Yoga for insomnia you will be practicing, you will probably be stretching to relax your body, doing deep breathing, and visualization exercises. Note that all three activities run counter to what a stressed out person usually does, which is going through the day with a tense body, not breathing deeply, and visualizing problems. Yoga tries to counter that and help you sleep.

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Be the first to comment - What do you think?  Posted by admin - May 5, 2009 at 5:14 pm

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