The Fish Yoga Position (Matsyasana) is the stretch that counters the Plough, and so follows them in Yoga session. The name of the posture derives from the fact that if you adopt the position in water, you will float quite easily.

Read more here: » Yoga Positions: The Fish - Yoga Position

The Bow yoga position (Dhanurasana) works all parts of your back simultaneously. In this asana, your head, chest, and legs are lifted, while your body rests on your abdomen. The pose is so named because as you hold it, your body is bent back like a bow and your arms are held straight and taut like a bowstring.

Read more here: » Yoga Poses: The BowPose - Yoga Poses

Lotus Position: Padmasana, or Lotus Pose, named so because the position puts the souls of the feet up, reminiscent of a lotus flower. The prime position for meditation, it is the most renowned of all Hatha Yoga postures.

(See also: Lotus Position, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

The flailing arms, high kicks, twists and crouches may look eccentric, but the walking style of exercise guru Duke Saraye is sweeping Japan with its unique mix of yoga, ballet, aerobics and other Oriental and Western ideas.

"Sole is soul - if you don't tread right, your soul won't become clean," 49-year-old Saraye, wearing a trademark black T-shirt and lycra skullcap, told a class of 60 women, young and old during a recent two-hour class at a Tokyo hall.

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

Sarvangasana, the Sanskrit name for the Shoulderstand, comes from the word "sarva", meaning whole. This Asana strengthens your entire body; it gives many of the benefits of the Headstand, but here the circulation is directed to your thyroid gland instead of the head.

Read more here: » Yoga Positions: The Shoulderstand - Yoga Position

The Brahmakumaris practise Raja Yoga, particularly the trataka form of meditation in order to achieve union with God. It involves keeping your eyes open and fixing your gaze on a tiny red spot with total attention. Raja Yoga gives knowledge of self and enables one to attain peace, purity and harmony.

Dawn is preceded by the darkest hour of the night. The Brahmakumaris consider the present time as the most critical period. This will be followed by a new age - the dawn in the great cycle of time. The agent of transition may be the person possessing knowledge of the true self, of a positive soul. One who reaches the highest stage of this knowledge becomes Brahma. The supreme divine being is Shiva, who is an embodiment of knowledge, peace, purity and harmony.

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

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

Mantra-writing

When you write the Mantra, always observe Mouna or silence. Feel that the divine Sakti is entering your whole being. Do not change your seat till you have finished the day's number of pages. There is an Achintya Sakti (indescribable power) in Mantra-writing. It helps the concentration in the Sadhaka.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Mantra-writing: The power of Mantra-writing

This FAQ gives a background on the phenomenon of kundalini. Part III of III.

In Part II: 1) What are the signs of an awakened kundalini?, 2) Are these methods of awakening kundalini dangerous?, 3) What about Gopi Krishna's books?, 4) But even if kundalini is dangerous, isn't it a faster way to enlighenment?, 5) There have been many scandals among kundalini yoga teachers - particularly sexual scandals. Is there a correlation between sexual scandals and kundalini yoga practice?, 6) If my kundalini is awakened will I need to change my lifestyle? 7) Do I need to be celibate?, 8) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Kundalini FAQ: What is Kundalini? Signs of Awakened Kundalini (part III of III)

Many studies have reported the beneficial effect of the practice of yoga on diabetes. Some studies have mentioned up to 65 percent beneficial effect of yogic therapy for diabetes. K.N. Udupa has even mentioned 5 cases of juvenile diabetes who were completely controlled by yogic treatment. All of these studies have emphasized the possible mechanism of the yogic practices.

Read more here: » Yoga and Diabetes: The effects of exercise and yoga on Diabetes - A Clinical Research (Part II of II)

Desire determines which sort of objects you will have in your next life. If you desire wealth very much you will get it in your next life. If you desire power very much you will get it in your next life. But money and power cannot give you eternal bliss and immortality. You must be very careful in your choice. Entertain one strong desire, the desire for Moksha or the final emancipation. Shun worldly desires ruthlessly. You will soon be freed from the round of births and deaths.

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Conquest Of Death: Seek The Immortal

Meditation Experiences by Sarasvati Buhrman PhD - Part I

Sometime after 350 B.C. a great yogi sage wrote the "Yoga Sutra". This brief translation should wet your appetite. This describes the transformation of mind that will unfold over a course of sadhana (spiritual practice), focusing on the relationship between the mind and the object of meditation.

Read more here: » Meditation: Meditation Experiences According to the Ashtanga Yoga Tradition with Commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra

Kriyas, literally ''activities'', are spontaneous movements that occur after kundalini awakening. These include bodily activities such as trembling, shaking and spontaneous yoga postures; vocal activities such as yelling, or spontaneous chanting and mental activities such as visions. These kriyas eliminate the blocks to kundalini rising within the spine or central channel.

This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.

In Part III: 1) What are kriyas?, 2) So how do kriyas purify my consciousness?, 3) Are these kriyas some sort of self-hypnosis or some sort New Age phenomenon?, 4) Haven't a number of well-known teachers criticized kriyas?, 5) Don't they say that kundalini is a force that needs control?, What is the philosophy of siddha mahayoga?, 6) What is the precise role of the guru in siddha mahayoga?, 7) What teachers give shaktipat initiation?, 8) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What are kriyas? (part III of III) -

Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga is one of the four major Yogic paths of Hinduism, the others being Karma yoga, Jnana yoga and Bhakti yoga. Raja Yoga involves psycho-physical meditational techniques to attain experiences of the truth and finally achieve liberation, described in Hindu thought as moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth). Raja yoga is also known as Ashtanga Yoga. The term Ashtanga means eight limbs, thus Ashtanga Yoga refers to the eight limbs of yoga. It is the classical Indian system of Hindu ...

Including:

• Raja Yoga - Origin
• Raja Yoga - Concept
• Raja Yoga - Practice
• Raja Yoga - Eight limbs of Raja Yoga
• Raja Yoga - Yama
• Raja Yoga - Niyama
• Raja Yoga - Asana
• Raja Yoga - Pranayama
• Raja Yoga - Pratyahara
• Raja Yoga - Dharana
• Raja Yoga - Dhyana
• Raja Yoga - Samadhi
• Raja Yoga - Results

Read more here: » Raja Yoga: Encyclopedia - Raja Yoga

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 history of Yoga spans from four to eight thousand years ago to the current day. From hints of it's practice in pre-vedic times, the first elucidations and detailed elaborations in Hindu texts, absorption into Buddhist and Jain philisophies, upto it's modern suffusion into secular life, it's applicability has stood the test of time. History of Yoga - Pre-Vedic ca. 6000 - 3000 BCE [?]. Older findings are believed by some to show that "yoga" existed in some form well before the establishment of vedas in the India ...

Including:

• History of Yoga - Pre-Vedic ca. 6000 - 3000 BCE [?]
• History of Yoga - Vedic ca. 2000-1500 BCE
• History of Yoga - Upanishadic ca. 800-100 BCE
• History of Yoga - Bhagavad Gita
• History of Yoga - Classical - Patanjali's 'Yoga Sutras' ca. 200 CE
• History of Yoga - Yoga-bhasya 450 - 850 CE
• History of Yoga - Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1350 - 1400 CE
• History of Yoga - Today
• History of Yoga - Modern growth of yoga in the West

Read more here: » History of Yoga: Encyclopedia - History of Yoga

Agni Yoga, also called the "Teaching of Living Ethics" or (in Russian) the Zhivaya Etica, is an esoteric teaching founded by the Russian painter Nicholas Roerich (Nikolai Konstantinovitch Rerikh) and his highly adept empathic wife, Helena Roerich (Elena Ivanovna Rerikh). Inspired by the Vedic traditions,as well as by Buddhism and writings of [[H.P. Blavatsky]Theosophical, the Roerichs published the "Agni Yoga" series of books, with contents inspired by the Mahatmas, or Masters of the Great White Brotherhood from their stronghol ...

Including:

• Agni Yoga - History
• Agni Yoga - Teachings
• Agni Yoga - Divisions
• Agni Yoga - Pop Culture Reference

Read more here: » Agni Yoga: Encyclopedia - Agni Yoga

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Gita Govinda Hatha Yoga Pradipika This is an article about the Yoga Sutras of ...

Including:

• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Introduction
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Authorship
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Philosophical Roots and Influences
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Bibliography
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Appendix: English Translation of the Yoga Sutras
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book I : Consciousness and Superconsciousness Samadhi Pada
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book II : Ways To Attain Yoga Sadhana Pada
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book III : Powers Vibhuti Pada
• Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Book IV : Liberation Kaivalya Pada

Read more here: » Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Encyclopedia - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Sahasrara Ajna Vishuddha Anahata Manipura Swadhisthana Muladhara Bindu Anahata is the fourth primary chakra according to the Hindu Yogic and Tantric (Shakta) traditions. In Sanskrit the word anahata - means unhurt, un-struck and unbeaten. Anahata Nad refers to the Vedic concept of unstruck sound, the sound of the celestial realm. Anahata - Associations. The Anahata chakra is physically positioned at the hear ...

Including:

• Anahata - Associations
• Anahata - Practices
• Anahata - Other Associations
• Anahata - Alternative names

Read more here: » Anahata: Encyclopedia - Anahata

The Self-Realization Fellowship is a religious organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920. The group carries on Yogananda's teachings, including Kriya Yoga, a form of yoga the group claims originated millennia ago in India. To this end, it conducts correspondence courses in this discipline. It also publishes Yogananda's writings, lectures, and recorded talks; oversees temples, retreats, meditation centers, and monastic communities bearing the name Self-Realization Order; and coordinates the Worldwide Prayer Circle, which it ...

Read more here: » Self-Realization Fellowship: Encyclopedia - Self-Realization Fellowship