A Wisdom Archive on Free Yoga Positions

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 )

Read more here: » Yoga Systems: Raja Yoga

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 )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Asanas for the Back

caste: There are four castes, each with its own duties, rules, regulations and hierarchy. Within each caste there are hundreds of subcastes, variations and hierarchies.
 
Varna (caste) is usually translated as “community”; by Indians, for it means much more than a single category. It means where one is from, how one dresses, what one eats, the language one speaks.
 
Traditionally, there was flexibility in the caste system, according to one''s talent. For example, Mahatma Gandhi''s father, from the grocer-Vaishya caste, served as a counselor to a king, the traditional role served by a Brahman (a).
 
On the other hand, J. Nehru was a Kashmir Brahman (considered a lower status in the Brahman caste hierachy); however, he and his father were attorneys, a Kshatriaya caste function.
 
Having had to withstand the foreign invasions of religious fanatics, both Moslem and Christian, for some 1,000 years, the Indian system has continued to crystallize and become rigid in order to protect the culture and religion.
 
The highest caste is the Brahman (a), or priest, teacher, scholar, advisor group. By virtue of their position in the society, they have more duties and are accorded heavier punishments than the other castes. For example, in the Mahabharata, a group of men had committed a crime. The Brahman (a) was given the death sentence, while the ones of lower castes were given sentences in prison, varying according to their caste.
 
The Kshatriya caste is referred to as the warrior caste. This caste includes everyone from the king to the foot soldier, their wives and children. In modern times, they have been court judges and administrators. Only Kshatriyas went to war, leaving the rest of the population free to carry on with their respective duties.
 
The third caste is the Vaishya, or merchant and farmer category. In general, this has been the wealthiest caste.
 
The fourth caste is the Shudra, or service caste. Anyone who performs services in the community, such as office executives, clerks, secretaries and persons in banking, communication and medical services.

 
(See also: caste , Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)
 

For more dictionary entries, see » Free Yoga Positions Dictionary

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 )

Read more here: » Sankalpa Yoga: Beyond Consciousnes - Sankalpa Yoga  

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 )

Read more here: » Yoga and Health: Sudarshan Kriya, A Potent Stress Buster  

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 )

Read more here: » Pranayama: Pranaymas of Maharishi Patanjali

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 )

Read more here: » Mudras and Health: Mudra for the heart

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 )

Read more here: » Pranayama: Hatha yoga Pranayams