Asanas are contemplative in nature and were originally intuited by yogis during meditation; the Kundalini naturally brings forth these postures or movements, called Kriyas, during deep meditation. These movements are meant to help to remove blockages (disease) in the causal, subtle, and physical bodies. In the ancient author Patanjali's work, Asana is classified as the third rung of 8 in the ladder of the practice of Raja Yoga. Hatha yoga in the west prim ...

See also:

Hatha yoga, Hatha yoga - Origins, Hatha yoga - Concept, Hatha yoga - Yama, Hatha yoga - Asanas Postures, Hatha yoga - Pranayama - The science of breathing, Hatha yoga - General Directions for Yogasana, Hatha yoga - Health Benefits ascribed to Yogasana practice, Hatha yoga - Etymology, Hatha yoga - In the West

Read more here: » Hatha yoga: Encyclopedia II - Hatha yoga - Asanas Postures

See also:

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

Read more here: » Asana: Encyclopedia II - Asana - Yoga Asana Poses or Postures

Dandayamana-Dhanurasana Posture

(See also: Dandayamana-Dhanurasana Posture, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Although there are many Asanas (8,400,000 according to the scriptures) the practice of the 12 basic yoga postures brings out the essence and all major benefits of this wonderful system.

Read more here: » Yoga Postures: What is Proper Exercise - 12 Basic Yoga Postures

There are many different asana s (postures) in yoga, which you can practise at any time of the day with excellent benefits. However, best results can be obtained only by doing yoga under expert guidance. Here's a listing of the commonly practised asanas with both the name of the asana in sanskrit and in english.

Read more here: » Yoga: Major Types of Asanas - Yoga Positions

Hatha Yoga deals with physical body and astral body purification and training. Its goal is to bring the physical body into a perfect state of health so the soul has an appropriate vehicle of expression to work through.

Hatha Yoga embraces many practices, including physical postures and breathing exercises ( pranayama ) , which also act upon the physical nervous system and etheric body. It helps bring the vital energies of the physical and etheric bodies under conscious control.

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

Uttanasana (forward bend) is a hatha yoga posture, one of the most 'popular', utilized in most hatha yoga classes. The posture consists of standing with feet together, then hinging forward from the hips, letting the head hang, with palms placed flat on the floor near the feet. Practitioners suggest that this posture provides these benefits: Provides a complete stretch to the entire back side of the body. Rejuvenates the spinal nerves. Removes depression, makes the mind peaceful and c ...

Read more here: » Uttanasana: Encyclopedia - Uttanasana

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. Without securing a steady Asana, you cannot further get on well in meditation. The steadier you are in your Asana, the more you will be able to concentrate and make your mind one-pointed. If you can be steady in the posture even for one hour, you will be able to acquire one-pointed mind and feel thereby infinite peace and Atmic Ananda.

Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Asanas: Importance Of Asanas

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

The Dolphin yoga position strengthens your upper body in preparation for the Headstand.

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

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 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

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

Nauli Kriya is intended for regenerating, invigorating and stimulating the abdominal viscera and the gastro-intestinal or alimentary system. For the practice of Nauli you should know the Uddiyana Bandha. Uddiyana can be done even in a sitting posture; but Nauli is generally done while standing.

Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Nauli Kriya: Nauli Kriya and Kundalini Yoga

'Mudra' simply means hand and finger postures. Like yogic body postures, it is also a discipline, to rejuvenate the body.

You must have seen the statues of Buddha, Jesus, Mahavir, and Shiva et al among many others, wherein the hands and fingers are shown curled in a specific posture.

For example, Lord Jesus Christ's image normally shows the hand pointing to the cave of the heart. Likewise, one of the popular images of Lord Buddha show's the fingers of the Left hand holding a pot of nectar, while palm of the right hand is resting on the lap, with fingers folded and pointing straight down. Another image shows the fingers of the right hand near the chest region and folded in a specific pose.

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

Viparitakarani Mudra

The Yogin who practises this for three hours daily conquers death. As the gastric fire is increased, those who practise this Mudra for a long time should take some light refreshment such as milk, etc., as soon as the Kriya is over. Sirshasana posture also is called Viparitakarani Mudra.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Viparitakarani Mudra: Practice of Viparitakarani Mudra

The sage Patanjali postulated an eight-fold system of spiritual yogic practice for achieving the divine goal. It comprises:

Yam (Controls) Niyam (Rules and regulations) Asan (Bodily Postures) Pranaayam (Breath Control Exercises) Pratyahaar (Sense control) Dharana (Concentration) Dhyaana (Meditation) Samadhi (Mergence)

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

Asthma is a disease that more and more people seem to be suffering from today. Many things trigger asthma - the main amongst those being: stress and anxiety, allergies and genetics. This yoga program seeks to tackle the root causes and work towards strengthening the immune system.

We will present asanas (postures), kriya (cleansing technique) and pranayama (breathing techniques) that strengthen, stretch and relax the body physically and re-balance internal systems at a deeper level. We begin with asanas that focus on increasing capacity of the lungs and relaxing the chest muscles which contract and remain tense during and after asthma attacks.

Instructions and benefits for

-       Singhasana

-       Ardha Chakrasana

-       Kapalbhati Kriya

-       Bhramri Pranayama

-       Bhastrika Pranayama

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

Desktop yoga exercises that will help improve flexibility and blood circulation of the legs muscles.

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