In Raja Yoga the goal is to quieten the mind through meditation where the attention is fixed on an object, mantra, or concept.

The aim of Raja yoga meditation is to successfully establish a mental link with the supreme source of all spiritual energy and power, the Supreme Soul, with the purpose of freeing the individual soul from sorrow, misery, pain, depression, fear, anxiety, illness, insecurity and phobias, and enabling the soul to once again experience constant peace, happiness, love and lasting health and prosperity.

(See also: Yoga Systems, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

The back is an amazingly strong structure, which allows the spine to move in all directions and planes. It is important not just to be free of your back pain, but also to have a strong and flexible back, which keeps you feeling light and healthy.

Here we give you warming-up and strengthening asanas, followed by toning and stretching of the back. Remember to do all the asanas in the order mentioned and at your own pace and level of flexibility.

Instructions and benefits for:

-       Tadasana (Palm tree pose)

-       Marchariasana (Cat Pose)

-       Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

-       Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

-       Viprit Naukasana (Inverted Boat Pose)

-       Pawanmuktasana

-       Sharnagat Mudra

(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Sankalpa Yoga is 'reso-will', the power that is born of resolve, will and determination. This esoteric yogic science was widely practised 5,000 years ago.

Sankalpa Yoga is the science of creation. Like everything in nature, gyana (knowledge) comes through sankalpa. Sankalpa Yoga does not belong to anyone in particular, nor is it registered by any organisation. It belongs to all those who want to practise it. There is no one to command you, no bondage, no milestones.

(See also: Sankalpa Yoga, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Sudarshan Kriya is an ancient but potent breathing technique, reintroduced by Sri Sri Ravishankar through his organisation, Vyakti Vikas Kendra, in 1982.

This includes two simple yoga techniques - pranayama and poornayoga . Pranayama is a technique to govern the breathing process and Poornayoga includes practise of simple yoga postures.

(See also: Yoga and Health, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Paschimottanasana literally translated as "intense stretch of the west". A yoga position (or asana) where one sits on the floor with legs flat on the floor, straight ahead. Put your hands flat on the floor and lean slightly forward without bending your knees. ...

Read more here: » Paschimottanasana: Encyclopedia - Paschimottanasana

We will now explain some pranayams of Maharishi Patanjali.

Patanjali kriya gets rid off all negative emotions and feelings and negative energies. It also strengthens the mind and the five 'prans' in our body (pran, apan, saman, vyan and udan). The five 'kosh' or bodies (annamay kosh, pranamay kosh, manomay kosh, vigyanmay kosh and anandmay kosh) within us are also purified with these pranayam.

Practise of these pranayam leads one to a thoughtless state (where one is without any thoughts) or the state of meditation.

Instructions and benefits for:

-       Bahyavriti Pranayam

-       Abhyantarvriti Pranayam

-       Stambhvriti Pranayama

-       Bahya-abhyantar visyakshapy Pranayama

(See also: Pranayama, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

Health benefits of Sahaja Yoga

On being asked as to why so many foreigners are coming to India, when advanced medicines are available with doctors of modern medicine all over the world, Dr. Rai added, "The doctors abroad don't have a treatment for the psyche of human being, except giving tranquillizers, sedatives and anti-depressant drugs. These are not only harmful, but also habit-forming. In view of this, Sahaj yoga, which can control the psyche of human being by meditation, has become very popular to the treatment and prevention of psychosomatic diseases like bronchial asthma, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, infertility, multiple scierosis and spondylitis, to name a few. It is all due to the blessings of Shree Mataji Nirmala Devi, who founded Sahaj Yoga centre, and has enlightened thousands of people all over the world."

Sahaja Yoga hospital featured in The Times of India (New Bombay Plus)

Read more here: » Sahaja Yoga: Health Benefits of Sahaja Yoga

Are you prone to heart attacks or deafness? These mudras will help in curing your ailments.

Mudras can cure almost any ailment from a simple earache to a heart attack. If a person who has developed heart trouble performs Mritsanjivini Mudra; it will lead to a path of permanent recovery.

Through Mritsanjivini Mudra a patient who is suffering a heart attack can check the attack and get instant relief. Technique:

Instructions and benefits for:

-       Mritsanjivini Mudra

(See also: Mudras and Health, Mudras, Mudras and Health, Mudra Instructions, Yoga)

Instructions, benefis and cautions for:

-       Narishodhan Pranayam

-       Suryabhedi Pranayam

-       Ujjayi Pranayam

-       Shitali Pranayam

-       Sitkari pranayam

-       Bhastrika pranayam

-       Bhramari pranayam

(See also: Pranayama, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

One should become perfectly desireless and should be full of Vairagya before attempting to awaken Kundalini. It can be awakened only when a man rises above Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and other impurities. Kundalini can be awakened through rising above desires of the senses. The Yogi, who has got a pure heart and a mind free from passions and desires will be benefited by awakening Kundalini. If a man with a lot of impurities in the mind awakens the Sakti by sheer force through Asanas, Pranayamas and Mudras, he will break his legs and stumble down. He will not be able to ascend the Yogic ladder.

Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Awaken The Kundalini: How To Awaken The Kundalini

Bhujangasana (cobra position) is a hatha yoga position which strengthens the spine; stretches chest and lungs, shoulders, and abdomen; firms the buttocks; stimulates abdominal organs; helps relieve stress and fatigue; opens the heart and lungs. Traditional texts say that Bhujangasana increases body heat, destroys disease, and awakens kundalini. Step by step: Lie prone on the floor. Stretch your legs back, tops of the feet on the floor. Spread your hands on the floor under your shoulders. Hug the elbows back ...

Read more here: » Bhujangasana: Encyclopedia - Bhujangasana

It is most unfortunate that in the modern day world Yoga is synonymous with asanas which are further synonymous with exercises. Exercises work from the outer to the inner world, which is not what our Rishis intended. The manifested world is too weak; it's too fragile and limited. Its effects are too short lived.

A Yogi remains healthy and glowing till his death. Paramhansa Yogananda was glowing even till a week before leaving his body. This is not achieved by doing complicated asanas and exercises. It is done by practices which are internal, whilst otheir effects manifest themselves externally. The Mahabandha is one such practice.

Instructions and benefits for:

-       Mool Bandha

-       Uddiyana Bandha

-       Jalandhara Bandha

-       Mahabandha

(See also: Bandhas, Yoga, Yoga and Health, Yoga Systems, Yoga Positions)

In order to understand the approach and significance of Meditation, one must first understand what health signifies. Complete health is a symphony of both physical and mental well being. Considering physical health alone as one's sole purpose is the highest form of ignorance, for it is very temporary. At the first instance of any adverse situation, if you are not mentally strong to face it, you will readily fall prey to stress that comes along with it and then, even all the physical health gained, will be lost.

(See also: Meditation for Beginners, Meditation, Meditation for Beginners, Meditation Techniques)

There are three kinds of freedom. The freedom from, the freedom for and just freedom.

One is 'freedom from'; that is a negative freedom: freedom from the father, freedom from the mother, freedom from the church, freedom from the society.

The second kind of freedom is 'freedom for'; that is positive freedom. Your interest is not in denying something, rather you want to create something. For example, you want to be a poet, and just because you want to be a poet.

And then there is a third freedom, the highest; in the East we have called it MOKSHA

(See also: Moksha, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Here is a kriya to reverse the ageing process.

The body is programmed for normal wear and tear. The pranic currents of paanch mahapranas within the body i.e Prana, Apana, Samana, Udaan and Vayan are programmed to flow in their respective directions and take the body to its logical end. Our ancient rishis discovered that reversing the process of pranic flows has the effect of reversing certain ageing processes, processes responsible for apparent decay of the body viz grey hair, sagging skin and loss of the youthful physical glow.

Reversing the pranic flow is called Viparitkarni - a technique prescribed by the ancients to reverse the ageing process.

Instructions and benefits for:

-       Viparitkarni Kriya

-       Chakra Sanchalan Kriya

-       Brahmacharya Kriya

(See also: Mudras and Health, Mudras, Mudras and Health, Mudra Instructions, Yoga)

Chanting mantras inspires the body to heal itself, the mind to become calm and the soul to grow strong. Chanting makes room for divine energies. Mantras are vibrations - they unlock hidden centres and help to dissolve the ego; they help us build invisible tools for shaping a better life. We start discovering resources within.

A young farmer, simple and ego-less, was rearing goats. One day a realised soul in ordinary attire visited him. The poor farmer welcomed him with respect without knowing that he was a great guru. Affectionately, he offered goat milk to the visitor. The guru left after some time. His blessings created a great spiritual armour around the farmer, unbeknownst to him.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Chanting mantras inspires the body to heal itself, the mind to become calm and the soul to grow strong. Chanting makes room for divine energies. Mantras are vibrations - they unlock hidden centres and help to dissolve the ego; they help us build invisible tools for shaping a better life. We start discovering resources within.

A young farmer, simple and ego-less, was rearing goats. One day a realised soul in ordinary attire visited him. The poor farmer welcomed him with respect without knowing that he was a great guru. Affectionately, he offered goat milk to the visitor. The guru left after some time. His blessings created a great spiritual armour around the farmer, unbeknownst to him.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace in Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Jnana yoga is the yoga of knowledge - not knowledge in the intellectual sense-but the knowledge of Brahman and Atman and the realization of their unity. Where the devotee of God follows the promptings of the heart, the jnani uses the powers of the mind to discriminate between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the transitory.

Read more here: » Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge - Jnana Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a meditative discipline, comprising a set of simple techniques that uses the mind, senses and body to create a communication between "mind" and "body". Kundalini yoga focuses on psycho-spiritual growth and the body's potential for maturation, giving special consideration to the role of the spine and the endocrine system in the understanding of yogic awakening (Sovatsky, 1998). Kundalini yoga - Kundalini yoga practice. The practice of kundalini yoga consists of a number bodily postur ...

Including:

• Kundalini yoga - Kundalini yoga practice
• Kundalini yoga - Underlying philosophy
• Kundalini yoga - Medical research on kundalini yoga

Read more here: » Kundalini yoga: Encyclopedia - Kundalini yoga

Asana is Sanskrit for "seat". It is no accident that this word be chosen to describe the "posture" of Yoga. The idea of the "seat" in this context refers not only to the physical position of the body, but to the position of the spirit in relation to Divinity. This idea is often referred to as the "One Seat", by Yogis and Buddhists alike. Modern usage of the word asana in reference to the practice of Yoga generally intends the lesser definition; a physical posture or pose. Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutra describes asanaIncluding:

• Asana - Conditions & general directions for Good Asana
• Asana - Yoga Asana Poses or Postures

Read more here: » Asana: Encyclopedia - Asana