Sunday, August 24, 2008

Branches Or Basics of Yoga

...Ancient practitioners have likened yoga to a living tree with six branches coming from the trunk, with each branch having its own unique function relating to a particular lifestyle. The Yoga Sutras of patanjali is one of the six darshanas of Hindu or Vedic schools and, alongside the Bhagvada Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, is a milestone in the history of Yoga. Though brief, the Yoga sutras are an enormously influential work, just as relevant for yoga philosophy and practice today, as when written many thousands of years ago.

The six branches of Yoga tend to have some aspects in common and familiarizing oneself with all six will certainly help in the selection of your own yoga programme that incorporates routines that appeal from any of the six branches. Asanas or postures, Pranayama or breath control, these two disciplines along with meditation and a strict moral code are the fundamentals of the practice of yoga.

Hatha Yoga
Introduced in the 15th century by an Indian sage as a preparatory stage of physical purification to enable the body to be fit for the practice of higher meditation as in Raja Yoga, Ha means sun and tha means moon, a reference to the energy channels of the body. Fully opened energy channels allow the body to become supple enough to attain the mental disciplines of Raja Yoga. In practice, both Hatha and Raja Yoga are inter-related and dependant upon each other. Western practitioners associate yoga with the hatha branch to attain mental and physical wellbeing.

Raja Yoga
Raja translates as royal and meditation is central to this branch of yoga, which has eight side branches or limbs in an order that must be strictly followed. We start with Yama meaning ethical standards, Niyama self discipline, asana posture, pranayama breat...more

Workouts to Lose Weight - Drop 10 Pounds in 20 Days

...ense daily Yoga session. Try "Hot Yoga" to turbo charge your fat burning and sweat out all of the knots, stress and mushy spots in a hurry. Truly a transformative practice for the 21st century!

And don't forget about weights either! Studies have shown over and over again that weightlifting can literally turn back the biological clock, and in concert with your fantastically fun and fit dietary regimen, you are looking at a phenomenal NEW you in no time flat. And that is sexy...more

hatha Yoga

...ense that yoga would incorporate an art of breathing. The Sanskrit, "Pranayama," is used in yoga circles to speak of breathing. "Prana" means "life-force" and "ayama" means to "lengthen or regulate." Curiously, the Latin word root for "animate," to give life, comes from a root that also means "breath." Yoga sages and other ancient teachers have always held keys to healthy living. One of these keys is hatha Yoga.

For more tips on Yoga, visit http://www.yogainformer.com for all your expert yoga content.more

hatha Yoga for Beginners: Discover Peace of Mind

...action to prevent? Can you develop a damage control plan?

This type of thinking is not Yoga meditation. It is self-analysis that gives you the power to determine real from imaginary. In Jnana Yoga, you learn through reading, facing the truth, and putting the principles into action.

One last point about fear: If it is real, you have to take action, and this may be a major move in life; however, if you or your familys survival is at stake, worrying will not solve fear. You have no choice, other than taking positive action.

Self-pity can cause us pain, sorrow, and grief. We feel self-pity from loss, but we must pick ourselves up and move on. Yoga practice, Yoga classes, and Yoga meditation can help us bear this pai...more

Houston Kriya Yoga