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Yoga has been practised for literally thousands of years in India. It evolved originally as a technique to help people achieve spiritual enlightenment and was the first system in the world to recognise the connection between the body and the mind. Today, it is practised to improve physical, mental and spiritual health. Most forms of yoga involve physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation that strengthen and tone muscles, improve balance and flexibility, and increase blood flow and vitality besides de-stressing the mind.
However, yoga is not instant - it involves adopting an entire philosophy of life. It is a step-wise, stage-wise eight-fold path to liberation from pain and suffering. Of these eight steps, the first five adopt a psychosomatic approach and are known as Bahiranga or external yoga, popularly known as Hatha yoga while the latter three directly affect the psyche and are known as Antaranga or internal yoga, popularly known as Raja yoga.
These steps are:
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Yama or disciplined behaviour, both personal and social |
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Niyama or self-purification
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Asana or discipline of the physical body
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Pranayama or control over bio-energy through respiratory action |
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Pratyahara or control of the senses through abstraction
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Dharana or concentration
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Dhyana or meditation
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Samadhi or trans-consciousness, a state of being in which one experiences absolute tranquillity and well being
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Thus, the step-wise, stage-wise progression of the yogi until he/she attains the absolute freedom - the liberation of the spirit from matter.
Briefly, the forms of yoga are
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Hathayoga: Subjugation of the body and utilizing one's internal energy (prana) to attain self-knowledge
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Rajayoga: Controlling the wandering of the conscious mind (chitta) to attain a state of perfect concentration
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Karmayoga: Acting in the prescribed correct manner without any thought of reward for the action
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Bhaktiyoga: A devotion to God so absolute that it ends in complete surrender.
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Jnanayoga: Liberating the mind from worldly ties through gaining knowledge, especially of spiritual matters
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Mantrayoga: Attaining liberation through the chanting of mantras
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Layayoga: Activating the spiritual centres (chakras) of the body and thus attaining salvation
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Yoga reduces stress, strengthens and tones muscle, improves balance and flexibility, and increases blood flow and vitality. Researchers at Harvard Medical School have found that yoga lowers chemicals associated with anxiety and triggers other physiological responses, such as reducing muscle tension and lowering heart rate.
Travel Inn can aid you in finding a teacher/institutes who can determine your requirements and match them with the time you have at your disposal so that you gain the maximum possible benefit.
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