What is Yoga?
No one knows exactly when Yoga began, however, scholars are certain it predates all written history. Stone carvings depicting figures in Yogic positions were found in archeological sites in the Indus Valley dating back more than 5,000 years.
Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: योग yóga) refers to traditional physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines, originating in India, whose goal is the attainment of a state of perfect insight and tranquility.
Yoga is NOT a Religion
The core of Yoga’s philosophy is that everything is supplied from within the individual. Thus, there is no dependence on an external figure, either in the sense of a person or god figure, or a religious organization. The belief that Yoga derives from Hinduism is a misconception. Ancient seals unearthed in the Indus Valley provide clear evidence of widespread Yoga practice earlier than 3,000 B.C.E, pre-dating Hinduism by many centuries. While the techniques of Yoga have been adopted by many religions, Yoga is an independent system of techniques used for a number of goals, from simply managing stress, learning to relax, and increasing limberness all the way to becoming more self-aware and acquiring the deepest knowledge of one’s self.
Yoga is a Science
Yoga is the art and science of self-development and self-awarenes. The practice of YOGA provides an experience of Oneness, empowering the practitioner with
an inner strength, while fostering harmonious relationships with others. It creates a foundation of relaxation and peace mentally, physically, and
emotionally.
Worldwide studies show that a regular practice of Yoga and Meditation reduces hypertension, lowers blood pressure, and releases endorphins in the brain heightening a sense of calmness and well being. Further research demonstrates the powerful effect of exercise on the physical, mental, and emotional development of young people.
Yoga exercises and postures are particularly useful as they work directly to reduce stress, strengthen the nervous system, and stabilize ones emotional foundation.
Styles of Yoga
The Four Classic Branches of Yoga
Today, 44 different major schools of yoga have sprouted up, stemming from the four traditional branches of the 'yoga tree'. The traditional branches of yoga are not changing, merely being broken apart and pieced back together to form various new types of yoga. While each practice may emphasize a different "limb" of yoga, they all work toward a common goal of bringing the pupil to the most elevated state being to experience Oneness. Established during the Vedic period (4,000 - 6,000 BCE), the traditional branches of yoga are:
- Jnana Yoga (Knowledge)- The Path of Wisdom
- Bhakti Yoga (Devotion) - The Path of Universal Love
- Karma Yoga (Action) - The Path of Selfless Service
- Raja Yoga (Elevation) - The Highest or Royal Path of the Mind
Widely regarded as the founder of formal writen yoga philosophy, Maharishi Patanjali outlined Ashtanga, also known as Raja Yoga, in his Yoga Sutras over 2,000 years ago. Ashta is the Sanskrit word for “eight”. Anga simply means “limb”… and thus ashtanga means “eight-limbs”, referring to the eight limbs (or steps) of yoga. These 8 limbs of yoga encompass all the practices necessary for the yoga student to gain health and vitality; to cultivate awareness and understanding; to gain insight into the deeper demensions of their self and the Universe around us; and to acheive ultimate health, harmony and happiness in life.
Popular Western Derivatives of Yoga
The most common forms of yoga practiced in the Western world, (arguably) seeded from the Raja (Ashtanga) Yoga branch, are encompassed in the Y.O.G.A. for Youth curriculum including :
- Hatha Yoga (further derivatives include Iyengar, Anusara and Bikram Yogas)
The Hatha Yoga system was compiled in the 15th century focusing on the purification of the physical body as leading to the purification of the mind ("ha"), and the vital energy (tha) - thus "Hatha". Compared to the seated asana outlined in Classical Raja, Hatha marks the development of asanas (plural) into the full body 'postures' now in popular usage. - Kundalini Yoga Kundalini is often regarded as one of the most comprehensive and scientificly based modern yoga forms, combining meditation, physical practices and breathing exercises. “Kundalini” literally means “the curl of the lock of hair of the beloved.” This poetic metaphor alludes to the flow of energy and consciousness that exists within each of us, and enables us to merge with – or “yoke” – the universal Self. It is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline for developing and tapping into inner energy and awareness. It can be practiced through the physical and meditative techniques found in all the main branches of yoga. Practitioners call Kundalini yoga, the yoga of awareness because they claim it directly affects human consciousness, develops intuition, increases self knowledge, and unleashes the unlimited creative potential that exists within every human being. Kundalini Yoga has been described as an active approach to awaken the kundalini contrasting with a passive approach. Active asana-based exercises, pranayama, and meditation are undertaken to build the nervous system, glands, and mental faculties to integrate the release of kundalini energy and balance the energy of the chakras. Kundalini Yoga, at its highest form, is practiced for the purpose of attaining bliss, developing power, serving others, and attaining self-realization.
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