A Wisdom Archive on Hatha Yoga Philosophy

Hatha Yoga also builds up its philosophy around this Kundalini and the methods adopted in it are different from Tantrik Sadhana. Hatha Yoga seeks to awaken this Kundalini through the discipline of the physical body, purification of Nadis and controlling the Prana.

Read more here: » Kundalini: Hatha Yoga and Kundalini

Yoga is a family of ancient spiritual practices that originated in India, where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means to enlightenment. Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga are considered the four main yogas, but there are many other types. In the West, yoga has become associated with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga, which are popular as fitness exercises. Yoga as a means to enlightenment is central to Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism, and has influenced other religious and spiritual pr ... Including:

• Yoga - Yoga practice and intention
• Yoga - The word yoga
• Yoga - Diversity of yoga
• Yoga - Yoga and religion
• Yoga - Common themes
• Yoga - Origins
• Yoga - Hindu yoga
• Yoga - Bhagavad Gita
• Yoga - Patanjali
• Yoga - God in Yoga philosophy
• Yoga - Hatha yoga
• Yoga - Natya yoga
• Yoga - Buddhist yoga
• Yoga - Yoga and tantra
• Yoga - Notable Yogis

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia - Yoga

The word "yoga" - from the Sanskrit root yuj ("to yoke") - is generally translated as "union" or "integration." This may be understood as union with the Divine, or integration of body, mind, and spirit. One who practices yoga is called a yogi or in Sanskrit, a yogin (masculine) or yogini (feminine). These designations are sometimes reserved for advanced practitioners. The word "yoga" may also be written יוגה, योग, ಯೋಗ, Joga, Ioga, Joog ...

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - The word yoga

Samkhya Nyaya Vaisheshika Yoga Purva Mimamsa Advaita Vedanta Vishishtadvaita Dvaita Carvaka Jain Buddhist Logic Common to most forms of yoga is the practice of concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana). Dharana, according to Patanjali's definition, is the "binding of consciousness to a single point." The awareness ...

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Common themes

Yoga is often mentioned in company with Tantra. While the two have deep similarities, most traditions distinguish them from one another. They are similar in that both amount to families of spiritual texts, practices, and lineages with origins in the Indian subcontinent. (Coincidentally, both have been popularized to some extent in the West, with perhaps a shallower understanding of their nature.) It should be noted however that ...

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Yoga and tantra

Yoga - Bhagavad Gita. Main article: Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita famously distinguishes several types of "yoga", corresponding to the duties of different nature of people. Capturing the essence and at the same time going into detail about the various Yogas and their philosophies, it constantly refers to itself as such, the "Scripture of Yoga" (see the final verses of each chapter). The book is thought to have been written some time between the 5th and the 2nd century BC. In it, Krish ...

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Hindu yoga

Over the long history of yoga, different schools have emerged, and there are numerous examples of subdivisions and synthesis. It is common to speak of each form of yoga as a "path" to enlightenment. Thus, yoga may include love and devotion (as in Bhakti Yoga), selfless work (as in Karma Yoga), knowledge and discernment (as in Jnana Yoga), or an eight-limbed system of disciplines emphasizing meditation (as in Raja Yoga). These practices occupy a continuum from the religious to the scientific. They need not be mutually exclusive. (A person who ...

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Diversity of yoga

Modern yoga practice often includes traditional elements inherited from Hinduism, such as moral and ethical principles, postures designed to keep the body fit, spiritual philosophy, instruction by a guru, chanting of mantras (sacred syllables), quietening the breath, and stilling the mind through meditation. These elements are sometimes adapted to meet the needs of non-Hindu practitioners. Proponents of yoga see daily practice as beneficial in itself, leading to improved health, emotional well-being, mental clarity, and joy in living. ...

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Yoga practice and intention

In the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain traditions, the spiritual goals of yoga are seen as inseparable from the religions of which yoga forms a part. Some yogis make a subtle distinction between religion and yoga, seeing religion as more concerned with culture, values, beliefs and rituals; and yoga as more concerned with Self-Realization, i.e., direct perception of the ultimate truth. In this sense, religion and yoga are complementary. Sri Ramakrishna likened religion to the husk, and direct experience to the kernel. Both are needed, "but if one wants to get at the kernel itse ...

Read more here: » Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Yoga - Yoga and religion

The different yoga philosophies simply adhere to different applications of inner discipline, all of which ultimately lead to the liberation of the soul and to a unique understanding of the Divine Unity. The yoga philosophies are merely named according to the yogi's objective of self-transformation and the instrument chosen for such anticipated change.

Read more here: » Yoga Philosophy: The different Yoga philosophies

Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga Positions
 One thing I like to do when I start a yoga session, either by myself or when I'm teaching, is to begin with centering. I find that centering is soooo important. I like to begin with sighs and releasing breathe. And close my eyes. I tell myself to leave the worries and troubles and concerns outside at the door. If I need to pick them up on my way out, I can do that. But, for the half hour to hour that I am giving myself this treat of yoga, I can leave the troubles outside. And that includes all the self judgement about postures that I might or might not be able to do or the fat that I carry on my body. I think that is one of the things that has made yoga good for me. I give myself permission not to be disappointed with myself.....mentally, emotionally, or physically. It doesn't always work. And I give myself permission for that, too.
 

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga: Hatha Yoga Positions