Siddha Yoga is a spiritual group teaching traditional Hindu or yogic practices both in India and in the West. The group has an organizational foundation by the name of SYDA Foundation, founded by the second guru of the Siddha Yoga lineage, Swami Muktananda (1908 – 1982). The guru who is the latest in the lineage of teachers of Siddha yoga is a woman, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda (June 24, 1955 – ). The group has its U.S. headquarters at a large country ashram called Shree Muktananda Ashram composed of two former resort hotels i ...

Including:

• Siddha Yoga - History
• Siddha Yoga - Tenets
• Siddha Yoga - Practices
• Siddha Yoga - Criticism
• Siddha Yoga - Press articles - Favorable
• Siddha Yoga - Press articles - Critical

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

See also:

Siddha Yoga, Siddha Yoga - History, Siddha Yoga - Beliefs, Siddha Yoga - Practices, Siddha Yoga - Criticism, Siddha Yoga - Press articles - Favorable, Siddha Yoga - Press articles - Critical

Read more here: » Siddha Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Siddha Yoga - Criticism

The central belief to Siddha Yoga is that one should honor the Self within all. This Self is the universal consciousness found within all. Students have various beliefs about the nature of the Siddha Gurus. Some believe that the Guru is a perfected human being who, by a mixture of spiritual work and grace from the preceding Guru, has achieved full realization of the Divine in their lifetime. Others believe that Swamis Muktananda and Chidvilasananda are wonderful teachers who show them the goodness within themselves and others. The ultimate goal of Siddha Yoga is the end of human sufferi ...

See also:

Siddha Yoga, Siddha Yoga - History, Siddha Yoga - Beliefs, Siddha Yoga - Practices, Siddha Yoga - Criticism, Siddha Yoga - Press articles - Favorable, Siddha Yoga - Press articles - Critical

Read more here: » Siddha Yoga: Encyclopedia II - Siddha Yoga - Beliefs

The Principles of Yoga

In this article, the five principles of Yoga will be detailed. These are the foundations of Yoga Practice; Correct Relaxation, Proper Breathing, Good Exercise, Positive Thinking and Suitable Diet.

Read more here: » Yoga: The Principles of Yoga

Compiled by the Sage Patanjali Maharishi in the Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs are a progressive series of steps or disciplines which purify the body and mind, ultimately leading the yogi to enlightenment.

This article details the eight limbs of the Raja Yoga system, one of the four main paths of Yoga.

Read more here: » Raja Yoga: The Eight Limbs of Raja Yoga

Brahmacharya is abstaining from all kinds of Maithuna or sexual enjoyment forever, in all places and in all conditions, physically, mentally and verbally. Quotes from different vedic scriptures on Brahmacharya.

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

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Garland of Brahmacharya

Abstinence or continence is the corner-stone or foundation on which the pedestal of Moksha stands. If the foundation is not very strong, the superstructure will fall down when there is heavy rain. Even so if you are not established in Brahmacharya, if your mind is agitated by evil thoughts, you will fall down. You cannot reach the summit of the ladder of Yoga or the highest Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

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

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Glory of Brahmacharya

Viniyoga - Vini yoga roots from Sri. T. Krishnamacharya's practices, teacher of well-known contemporary masters K. Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar. Yogis practice modified poses to meet their specific needs. This style of yoga promotes healing and flexibility.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Viniyoga

Bhakti Yoga - The Yoga of Devotion

The Yoga of devotion is known as Bhakti Yoga. Practicing this form of yoga trains the heart to seek the purity in everyone and everything. This creates a warmth in the human mind and promotes love and tolerance for all. Bhakti yoga also teaches a devotion to God.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Bhakti Yoga

Hatha Yoga

Physical Yoga or the Yoga of postures is known as Hatha Yoga. It is the most popular form of yoga practiced in the West. This form of yoga consists of many different styles. The different styles of Hatha Yoga have common roots. The founders of three of the most popular styles, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga were all students of Krishnamacharya, a famous teacher at the Yoga Institute at the Mysore Palace in India . This form of yoga brings together Pranayama and Meditation with physical poses in its aim to promote positive energy and good health of the body.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Hatha Yoga

Part I of III of Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad

The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad is the eighty-sixth among the 108 Upanishads. It forms part of the Krishna Yajurveda. It deals with an exposition of Hatha and Lambika Yogas. It concludes with an account of the non-qualified Brahman. The Non-dual Brahman is the quest of all seekers.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad, Part I

Jnana Yoga - The Yoga of wisdom or knowledge

Jnana means wisdom or discernment. Commonly known as Yoga of the knowledge, Jnana focuses on man's intelligence. Yogis have an open mind for everything, they accept all philosophies and religions. Their unity of intellect and wisdom enables them to surpass boundaries and look beyond ideological controversies.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Jnana Yoga

Four Asanas are prescribed for the purpose of Japa and meditation. They are Padmasana, Siddhasana, Svastikasana and Sukhasana. You must be able to sit in any one of these four Asanas at a stretch for full three hours without shaking the body. Then only you will get Asana-Jaya, mastery over the Asana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Asanas: Most important Yoga Positions - Yoga Asanas

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.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga Sadhana: Yoga Sadhanas for Kundalini Awakening

Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Nauli, Tratak and Kapalabhati. These are known as Shat-Karma or the six purificatory exercises in Hatha Yoga.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Shat-Karma: Shat-Karma or the six purificatory exercises in Hatha Yoga.

Mudras and Bandhas are certain postures of the body by which Kundalini is successfully awakened. In Gheranda Samhita, the description of 25 Mudras and Bandhas, is given. The following 12 are the most important:-,, 1. Mula Bandha, 2. Jalandhara Bandha, 3. Uddiyana Bandha, 4. Maha Mudra, 5. Maha Bandha, 6. Maha Vedha, 7. Yoga Mudra, 8. Viparitakarani Mudra, 9. Khechari Mudra, 10. Vajroli Mudra, 11. Shakti Chalana Mudra, 12. Yoni Mudra.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Mudras and Bandhas: Kundalini Yoga - Mudras and Bandhas

Part III of III of Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad

The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad is the eighty-sixth among the 108 Upanishads. It forms part of the Krishna Yajurveda. It deals with an exposition of Hatha and Lambika Yogas. It concludes with an account of the non-qualified Brahman. The Non-dual Brahman is the quest of all seekers.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad, Part III

Famous yogins from different ages.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogins: Famous Yogins - Yoga Addenda

Tantra Yoga

Tantra Yoga is probably the most misconstrued of all yogas. Most people perceive it as purely sexual, and although sex is a part of it, its key principle is actually consecration. This means to make everything you do, sacred or holy. It encourages a ritualistic approach to life. In this way, it draws our attention to our actions in all states, whether asleep or awake. Purity, devotion and courage are essential to Tantric practices.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Tantra Yoga

Yoga - I

Yoga is a perfect practical system of self-culture. Yoga is an exact science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga is the turning away of the senses from the objective universe and the concentration of the mind within. Yoga is eternal life in the soul or spirit. Yoga aims at controlling the mind and its modifications. The path of Yoga is an inner path whose gateway is your heart.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga - a perfect practical system of self-culture