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

See also:

Yoga, 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 II - Yoga - The word yoga

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 ...

See also:

Yoga, 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 II - Yoga - Yoga and tantra

Although yoga is best used as preventive medicine, some of its practices also have great therapeutic value. They can help those suffering from various difficult physical conditions, like back pain, scoliosis, and arthritis. However, ideally, your yoga practice should be an integral part of your efforts to maintain good health and prevent degenerative diseases.

Read more here: » Yoga: Therapeutic Yoga

Raja Yoga - The Yoga of Self Control

Raja means Ôroyal' and Raja Yoga is said to be the Ôking' of Yogas. It is the path of yoga which is mainly concerned with meditation. During practice, the yogi sits at ease to observe the mind and to silence floating thoughts. The practice induces a sense of centrality and teaches self honour and respect. One of the main beliefs of Raja Yoga is that the universe exists only for the self. It is based on the Eight Limbs of Yoga which is discussed in the Yoga Sutra.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Raja Yoga

While in recent years the word "yoga" has been heard more in gyms than in religious discourse, "yoga" in its original sense has little to do with exercise. "Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit verb yuj, to yoke or unite. The goal of yoga is to unite oneself with God; the practice of yoga is the path we take to accomplish this.

Read more here: » Yoga: The Meaning of Yoga

In Raja Yoga the goal is to quieten the mind through meditation where the attention is fixed on an object, mantra, or concept.

The aim of Raja yoga meditation is to successfully establish a mental link with the supreme source of all spiritual energy and power, the Supreme Soul, with the purpose of freeing the individual soul from sorrow, misery, pain, depression, fear, anxiety, illness, insecurity and phobias, and enabling the soul to once again experience constant peace, happiness, love and lasting health and prosperity.

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

Bikram Yoga Ð Bikram Choudhury founded this style of yoga. It is typically practiced in a room with a temperature of up to 100 degrees. Scientifically, this warms and stretches muscles, ligaments and tendons in the order in which they should be stretched. Therefore it is a very sweaty practice. Bikram is a series of 26 Asanas accompanied by Kapalabhati Breath, the Ôbreath of fire'.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Bikram Yoga

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

Kundalini Yoga Ð In this style of yoga, the spine is regarded as a snake. It was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in the late 1960s. The practice concentrates on releasing the Kundalini energy which is found at the base of the spine. Kundalini Yoga includes a series of classic poses and chanting. The emphasis however, is not on the Asana but on the chanting. Spiritual transformation is the main aim of practice.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Kundalini Yoga

Sivananda Yoga Ð Sivananda was developed by Vishnu-devananda. Practice consists of Pranayama and classic Asanas - 12 basic poses. Diet and positive thinking are also heavily emphasised on in this style of yoga.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Sivananda Yoga

Svaroopa Yoga Ð Rama Berch founded Svaroopa Yoga. It introduces alternative ways of doing familiar poses with deep emphasis on the spine. It aims to open the spine by developing gentle movement from the tailbone right through to the top of the spine. It is another style of yoga which is not at all athletic and more involved in consciousness and healing properties.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Svaroopa Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga Ð Ashtanga was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois. It is a very physically demanding form of yoga often known as Ôpower yoga'. The system of Ashtanga is based on six series of increasing difficulty. It involves performing a challenging sequence of poses with Ujjayi Breathing and vinyasas which will produce intense internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Ashtanga Yoga

Iyengar Yoga Ð Iyengar Yoga was named after B.K.S. Iyengar. This style of yoga focuses on detail and precise alignment of postures. Iyengar yogis use yoga props such as blocks and belts. The props are meant to help achieve the best possible pose and provide support to minimize the risk of injury. Iyengar poses are held longer and repeated several times.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Iyengar Yoga

A seeker asked, "What action shall I perform to attain God?" "If you wish to attain God" came the response, "there are two things you must know. The first is all efforts to attain God are of no avail."

"And the second?" the seeker asked.

"The second is that you must act as if you do not know the first!"

The stages in yoga:

-       The Beginning Stage

-       The Intermediate Stage

-       The Advanced Stage

-       The Achievement Stage

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

Pregnancy is a total experience. It is a time in a woman's life when it is of prime importance that the various dimensions of her being are in harmony. The regular practice of certain yoga exercises, meditation and breathing techniques ensures optimum health of her body and mind, and the unification of her physical, emotional and spiritual growth with that of the developing child.

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga And Pregnancy

Ananda Yoga Ð Ananda Yoga is a gentle practice. Swami Kriyananda developed this classical style of Hatha yoga that uses Asana and Pranayama to engage energies of the chakras.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Ananda Yoga

Anusara Yoga Ð Anusara is a combination of Hatha yoga and biochemical principles. It is a very modern style of yoga developed by John Friend. Practice is described as heart-oriented and spiritually inspiring and concentrates on outer and inner body alignment. Different students' abilities and limitations are deeply respected.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Anusara Yoga

Jivamukti Yoga Ð Perhaps the latest form of Hatha yoga, Jivamukti was created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984. Like Ashtanga yoga, practice is vigorously physical but more intellectually stimulating. There is a great deal of emphasis on the educational aspect of the practice and students are taught how the philosophies of yoga came about.

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Styles: Jivamukti Yoga

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)