How Many Times Kumbhaka Should Be Practised

44. On the first day, Kumbhaka should be practised four times.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

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The practice of Yoga lessens and prevents the decay of tissues, by increasing the life-force, and fills the system with abundant energy.

Through the practice of Yoga, the evolution of man is quickened. What he can gain in hundreds of births, he can gain in one birth through the practice of Yoga, and attain final emancipation. He can attain longevity and attain perfect health. He can compress in one life the experiences of several hundreds of births.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga and Longer Life: Practise Yoga ToProlong Life

This is another relaxation yoga pose, and is practised before the Headstand and some other asanas.

Read more here: » Yoga Poses: The Child's Pose - Yoga Pose

A full introduction to the practise of meditation.

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

Read more here: » Meditation: Practice of Meditation

Lambika Yoga

Practice of Khechari Mudra is Lambika Yoga. The technique of the Mudra is explained below. He who practises this Mudra will have neither hunger nor thirst. He can walk in the sky. This Yoga is beset with difficulties.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Lambika Yoga: Practice of Khechari Mudra - Lambika 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 Three Bandhas

35. The Yogic student should now practise the three Bandhas. The three Bandhas are: the Mula Bandha, the Uddiyana Bandha and the Jalandhara Bandha.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: The Three Bandhas

Dharana (Concentration)

Fix the mind on some object either within the body or outside. Keep it there steady for some time. This is Dharana. You will have to practise this daily. Laya-Yoga has its basis on Dharana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

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Vajroli Mudra

The object of Vajroli Mudra is to be perfectly established in Brahmacharya. When aspirants practise this Mudra, they unconsciously divert their mind to sexual centres and thereby they cannot get any success. When you see the description of this Mudra, you will clearly understand that strict Brahmacharya is absolutely necessary

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

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

 Laya Yoga - The Essence Of All Religion

Yoga is the essence of every religion and is that what all religions have in common. If a man really wants to go deeply into the mystical and spiritual essence of their religion, then he or she comes to practise yoga. We say that yoga is not a religion in a sense of an individual creed or a sect separating from others, we also say that yoga is the substance and profundity of every religion and its inner cult. That is why one can be a member of every religious society and practise yoga. Two rules, or if one prefers, two commandments present in all scriptures such as Veda, Koran or the Bible are as if two angelic, divine wings of the Laya Yoga training. " Be holy because I am Holy" and " Be so perfect as your Heavenly Father is" these are the signs of an authentic, spiritual path of universal life.

Read more here: » Laya Yoga: The Essence Of All Religion - Laya Yoga

Research on health benefits of Sahaja Yoga

To verify some of the claims of Sahaj Yoga, a systematic research study was organised in the physiology and medecine department of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals in New Delhi.

The research projects studied were psychological effects of Kundalini awakening by Sahaj Yoga and the effect of Sahaj practise on psychosomatic diseases like hypertension and bronchial asthma.

Read more here: » Sahaja Yoga: Health Benefits of Sahaja Yoga

Kriya Yoga: The scientific process of soul culture and the royal path to self-realization

The fundamental thesis of Kriya Yoga is that we are a miniature version of the whole cosmos, a microcosm - an evolving universe within the macrocosmic world. The all-pervading supreme creator is hiding within us and activating every action through the breath - hence the name kriya; any work "kri," is being done by the power of the indwelling soul "ya." The various cosmic forces controlling ether, air, fire, water, and earth also control the kinds of work, namely, religious activities, relationship, food, progeny, and earning money performed by the human body. Yoga is the means of conjoining this correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm - realizing the truth behind the union of individual self and the Supreme Self.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: The scientific process of soul culture and the royal path to self-realization

Kriya Yoga is a scientific art of perfect God Truth union and Self-Realization. It was revived by a great Master of India, Babaji Nagaraj, as a synthesis of ancient teachings of the 18 Siddha tradition. It includes a series of 144 techniques or "Kriyas" grouped into five phases or branches.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: Introduction to Kriya Yoga

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.

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Hatha Yoga Positions: Tadasana - The Mountain

Tadasana is one of the most basic of all yoga postures. It is a grounding posture to bring the body and mind in balance and alignment.

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Hatha Yoga Positions: Virabhadrasana 1 - Warrior I

This is one of 3 warrior postures. It is sometimes called the male warrior.

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Sahaja Yoga: The Living Tradition of Sahaj Marg

The Raja Yoga system known as "Sahaj Marg" is still relatively obscure in the West, even among Yoga aficionados. This is largely due to the fact that Sahaj Marg has been a low-key, word-of-mouth practice. Works by the lineage of Sahaj Marg Masters, published under the auspices of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), are difficult to locate, and beyond the abhyasis or practitioners of Sahaj Marg, few are aware that SRCM centers have been established worldwide since the Mission was founded in India fifty years ago.

Read more here: » Sahaja Yoga: The Living Tradition of Sahaj Marg

Kriya Yoga An Enlightening Experience

It all began when a friend of mine gave me a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. I read the entire book from cover to cover the first night. I was so fascinated by Yogananda's description of Miracles and higher states of consciousness he experienced in India and in the United States after he traveled over here that I couldn't put the book down. The next week I left for California with my last paycheck in my pocket. I drove all the way to Yogananda's Hermitage/Retreat in Encinitas, California. I was a printing press operator at the time and it just so happened they needed a printer at SRF. What luck! It all seemed predestined.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga An Enlightening Experience

Yoga Schools: The Six Branches of Yoga

Of the six branches of yoga, only one is concerned with Prana and physical body. The rest can be seen as spiritual disciplines.

Includes: Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Tantra Yoga

Read more here: » Yoga Schools: The Six Branches of Yoga

Yogic sadhana is reminding yourself constantly to center and be aware. To identify with the "I AM", and to see your experience as a passing show, without identifying with it or becoming attached to it. Whether it be postures, pranayama, meditation, mantras or bhakti yoga, or jnana or karma yoga, the purpose is the same. To remind and to train your conscious to remain pure and free, until it becomes spontaneous and effortless.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: BABAJIÕS KRIYA YOGA JOURNAL EXCERPT