|
|
What is Yoga? Yoga
In General |
 |
The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj' meaning 'to join'. Yoga therefore refers to the union of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. In the words of Swami Sivananda, yoga is "Integration and harmony between thought, word and deed, or integration between head, heart and hand."
A healthy relaxed body with balanced energies, obtained through asanas and pranayamas can lead us to more effective mental disciplining. Yoga is therefore a way of maintaining optimum health and happiness.
Yoga is a way of life, not a form of physical exercise, as it encompasses so
much more than physical exertion.
Back to top
There are 4 main paths of yoga:
| Path | Union By.... | Further Notes |
| Jnana Yoga | Knowledge | All other yogic paths lead to this one. The veils of ignorance are removed, enabling us to see our true self (the ‘Atman’). We must free ourselves from desire, fear, envy and anger. Cease to identify yourself as Body, Mind and Ego by realising your unity. |
| Bhakti Yoga | Love and devotion | This path is motivated by the strongly focussed power of love. Followers of this path either concentrate their devotion upon a worshipped deity (Krishna being the most popular) or a Guru (which means ‘remover of darkness’), transforming their emotions into unconditional love, compassion and devotion to transcend themselves. |
| Karma Yoga | Action and service | This path is one of action, through selfless service. It is not the action that counts, but the attitude and motive of doing it: the motive must be pure and rewards are not sought. Followers of this path believe in doing unto others what you would have them do to you, loving thy neighbour, accommodating others, bearing insult or injury and they believe in unity in diversity. Whatever job you are doing, be conscious in it, be present and do it well. |
| Raja Yoga | Mental mastery | This is also referred to as ‘Royal Yoga’ as the practitioner becomes ruler of their mind, through meditation. It is the direct result of stilling thought and mastering consciousness, to transcend limitations. Raja Yoga works on purifying and perfecting the mind, and through the mind also on the body. |
Back to top
Raja Yoga
Branching from Raja Yoga, we have:
| Path | Union By..... | Further Notes |
| Hatha Yoga | Bodily Mastery | Hatha Yoga is the most practical of the yogas: by working on the body (through asanas) to purify and perfect it, it works directly on the mind. |
| Pranayama | Breath | Breathing techniques are used to increase, conserve and balance our prana, ie our life force energy. |
| Mantra Yoga | Voice and sound | By repeating aloud or inwardly certain syllables, words or phrases (Mantras) we can influence our consciousness. The rhythmic repetition of mantras is called ‘Japa’. Most well known are ‘Om’ and ‘Om mane padme hum’ |
| Yantra Yoga | Sight and form | Visualisation is used to influence consciousness. A Yantra may be a picture, an inner visualisation or designing a temple. Mandalas are often used for this, representing concentration to aid meditation. |
| Kundalini Yoga | Arousal of latent energies | The combination of Hatha techniques, particularly prolonging breath suspension and holding a stable posture, with intense meditative concentration, one can awake the latent energy in the body. This is symbolised as a serpent, known as ‘Kundalini’ which is coiled beneath the base of the spine. The energy is taken up the spine, through the energy centres (Chakras) until reaching the crown where ‘Samadhi’ is triggered (ie where your energy connects with the universal consciousness). |
| Tantric Yoga | Harnessing physiological and sexual energies | This is a general term to distinguish physiological systems from the non-physiological. It is also a form of yoga in which sexual energies are controlled with the male and female (Yogi and Yogini) in actuality, or in imagination in a form of ritual. |
Integral yoga is the combination of all these categories to attain true happiness. This is why it is often used for therapeutic purposes. Combining the branches of Raja Yoga within the main path is very powerful, ie one applies the psychological yoga of meditation with the physiological yoga of breathing and asanas.
The practice revolves around eight progressive steps to purify the body and mind:
Quote from Swami Satchidananda (the founder of Integral Yoga - see History
of Yoga):
"A body of perfect health and strength, mind with all clarity
and calmness, intellect as sharp as razor, will as pliable as steel, heart full
of love and compassion, life full of dedication and realisation of the true
self is the goal of Integral Yoga. Attain this through asanas, pranayama, chanting
of Holy Names, self discipline, selfless action, manthra japa, meditation, study
and reflection. Om shanti shanti shanti. Ever yours in Yoga, Swami Satchidananda."