Ashtanga Yoga (Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga - Eight limb / step yoga):
The basis of ashtanga yoga is the Yoga sutras (Sanskrit Verses) of Patanjali. We will consider the different aspects of yoga while remaining under the guiding principles of Patanjali's Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga). The Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyan & Samadhi or the Yama and Niyama are systematically described by Patanjali in his Sanskrit Sutras (verses).
1. Yama
(Principles)
2. Niyama (Personal
Disciplines)
3. Asana (Yoga Positions
or Yogic Postures)
4. Pranayama (Yogic
Breathing)
5. Pratyahara Withdrawal
of Senses)
6. Dharana
(Concentration on Object)
7. Dhyan
(Meditation)
8. Samadhi
(Salvation)
Hatha Yoga:
The term Hatha Yoga has been
commonly used to describe the practice of asana (postures). The
syllable 'ha' denotes the pranic (vital) force governing the
physical body and 'tha' denotes the chitta (mental) force thus
making Hatha Yoga a catalyst to an awakening of the two energies
that govern our lives. More correctly the techniques described in
Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind
in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini
practices.
The Hatha Yoga system includes
asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox
techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy
release techniques) and Pranayama (pranic awakening practices).
Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels
leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.
1. Yogasana (Yoga
positions)
2. Six shatkarmas
(physical and mental detox techniques)
3. Mudras and Bandhas
(psycho-physiological energy release
techniques)
4. Pranayama (Pranic
awakening practices)
Mantra Yoga:
Japa Yoga, Requirements, State of Consciousness in Matra Yoga, Methods of Chanting, Effects of Mantra, How to Practice & Rules of Mantra Chanting)
Mantra
Yoga:
Mantra Yoga has its origin in
Vedic Sciences and also in Tantra, in fact all the verses in Vedas
are called mantras, it is said that any person who can chant or
sing Vedas can achieve the ultimate salvation or union with supreme
consciousness only by chanting the mantras, which is the aim Mantra
Yoga
Bhakti
Yoga:
Bhakti is a Yoga of devotion or
complete faith. This faith is generally in the God or supreme
consciousness in any of the forms. It may be Lord Rama, Krishna,
Christ, Mohammed, Buddha etc. It may be a Guru for his
disciples.
Important thing is the person
interested in following this path should have very strong emotional
bond with the object of faith. The flow of emotional energy is
directed to this object. Mostly people suppress their emotions and
that often reflects in the form of physical and mental disorders.
This Bhakti Yoga releases those suppressed emotions and brings the
purification of inner self.
Continuous meditation of God or
object of faith gradually decrease the ego of the practitioner,
which further prevents new distractions, fickleness or even pain
and induces strong bonds of love. Slowly the practitioner looses
the self identity and becomes one with the object of faith, this is
a state of self realization.
Paramhansa Swami Satyananda
Saraswati
Karma
Yoga:
Karma Yoga is a path of devotion
to the work. One looses his identity while working, only selfless
work remains. This state is very difficult to achieve. Generally
some rewards or incentives or outcome follows the work and one is
attached to this reward or incentive. This is not the Karma Yoga.
Non-attachment with the work and becoming the perfect instrument of
the super consciousness in this manifested universe is the ultimate
aim of Karma Yoga.
In the initial stages of Karma
Yoga, individual possesses strong sense of ego and consciously or
unconsciously he is attached to the fruits of his efforts or at
least praise or recognition but by continuous involvement in the
work and change in mental attitude, one can surely disassociate
himself from the ego and his own personality. In this state the
work becomes worship to the God, it becomes spiritual, also the
individual becomes expert, skilled and Yogi. He achieves stability
of mind in all conditions, he is not disturbed or excited or happy
in any of the situations. He becomes divine & his actions
represent God's will.
The essence of Karma Yoga as
extracted from 'Bhagvad Gita' says: The world confined in its own
activity except when actions are performed as worship of God.
Therefore one must perform every action sacramentally and be free
of your attachments to the results.
Jnana
Yoga:
Jnana Yoga is the process of
converting intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom. It is a
discovery of human dharma in relation to nature and the universe.
Jnana Yoga is described by tradition as a means to obtain the
highest meditative state and inner knowledge.
Jnana literally means
'knowledge', but in the context of yoga it means the process of
meditative awareness which leads to illuminative wisdom. It is not
a method by which we try to find rational answers to eternal
questions, rather it is a part of meditation leading to
self-enquiry and self-realisation.
Some of the components
of Jnana Yoga are :
1. Not believing but
realising
2. Self-awareness
leading to self-analysis
3. Experiencing
knowledge
4. Realising the
personal nature
5. Developing intuitive
wisdom
6. Experiencing inner
unity
Kundalini
Yoga
(From the
Tantras)
This system of Yoga is concerned
with awakening of the psychic centers or chakras, which exists in
every individual. (Please refer to the figure) There are six main
chakras in the human beings.
The mind is made up of different
subtle layers. Each of these layers progressively are associated
with the higher levels of consciousness. Each of these levels are
related to the different chakra or psychic center located
throughout the psychic body. There are no of other chakras apart
from the six main, which are associated with planes below the human
level. In all we have chakras that connect us to animal levels of
mind, to the instinctive realms of being or to the sublime heights
of consciousness.
In Kundalini Yoga, higher-level
chakras are awakened and also the activities associated with these
higher psychic centers.The basic method of awakening involves deep
concentration on these chakras and forcing their arousal. Asanas,
pranayama, mudra and bandha and other forms of Yoga such as Mantra
Yoga are also used to stimulate the awakening.
Kriya
Yoga:
The word kriya means 'activity'
or 'movement' and refers to the activity or movement of
consciousness. Kriya also refers to a type of practical or
preliminary practice leading to total union, the final result of
practice. Kriya Yoga does not curb mental fluctuations but
purposely creates activity and awakening in consciousness. In this
way all faculties are harmonised and flower into their fullest
potential.
Kriya Yoga originated in
antiquity and evolved over time through practise and experience.
The full form of Kriya Yoga consists of over 70 kriyas out of which
only 20 or so are commonly known.
The kriya practices are
inscribed in numerous tantric texts written in Sanskrit. To date
only a few of these have been translated into other languages. The
most authoritative magna opus on the subject of Kriya.
The practices of Kriya Yoga were
propagated by Swami Satyananda Saraswati from secret teachings
described in the Yoga and Tantra Shastras. The kriyas, as taught by
Satyananda Yoga?, are one of only two systems of Kriya Yoga
recognized the world over, the other being that of Paramahamsa
Yogananda.
Raja
Yoga:
Raja Yoga usually refers to the
system of yoga that is described in the Yoga Sutras of Sage
Patanjali. In this ancient text Sage Patanjali describes eight
stages of yoga which are known collectively as Raja
Yoga.
Raja Yoga is a comprehensive
yoga system which deals with the refinement of human behaviour and
personality through the practice of the yamas (restraint) and
niyamas (disciplines); attainment of physical health and vitality
through asanas (postures) and pranayamas (pranic breathing
techniques); management of mental and emotional conflicts and
development of awareness and concentration through pratyahara
(sensory withdrawal) and dharana (concentration); and developing
the creative aspect of consciousness for transcendental awareness
through dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption in the
universal identity).
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Swara
Yoga:
What is Swara
Yoga?
undefined Swara is Sanskrit
word, meaning sound or note. It is also a continuous flow of air
through one nostril. Yoga means union, so Swara yoga is a science
which is realization of cosmic consciousness through control and
manipulation of breath.
Swara Yoga is science which is a
complete study, observations, control and manipulation of breath or
Swara. Pranayama is only related to control of breath in various
ways. In swara yoga, you will find association of breath in
relation to activities of sun, moon, various seasons, physical and
mental conditions of individuals etc. So Swara Yoga is more
comprehensive in theory and practices related to breath.
Swara yoga is useful while
initiating any action starting from waking up in the morning,
having bath, eating, involving in different types of works, mental
activities, physical activities etc. One can easily make out that
Swara Yoga touches all parts of human life.
Few applications of Swara
Yoga:
* Fighting wars,
Overcome enemy, winning friends
* Gaining wealth,
prosperity, popularity
* Winning favor of
king
* Knowledge of past,
present & future
* Achieving sound
mental, physical & spiritual health
* Swara in Daily
Life
1. Journey, eating,
exercising, working, excreting, sleeping
2. For Yoga &
Meditation
3 Types of
Swara:
There are 3 main swara, Ida Nadi
or Left Swara (Nadi is flow of pranic energy in body), Pingala Nadi
or Right Swara and Sushumna or third Swara.
* Ida / Lunar / Left
Swara - The breath through left nostril
* Ida Nadi located on
the Left side of spinal Cord
* It represents Moon /
female Shakti (Energy) principle
* Left Swara is
associated with Mental Activities, Parasympathetic nervous system
(relaxation)
* Connection to right
hemisphere of brain
* Left Swara is
considered to be Auspicious, smooth &
virtuous
* Bright fortnight (15
days starting from next day of no moon to full moon
day)
* Fruitful results when
Left Swara is active on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
Monday.
* Zodiac signs during
Lunar flow - tauras, cancer, virgo, scorpio, capricorn,
pisces
* Pingala / Solar or
Right Swara - The breath through right
nostril
* Pingala Nadi located
on the right side of spinal Cord
* It represents Sun /
Male Shiva(consciousness) principle
* Right Swara is
associated with Pranic activities (Physical activities),
Sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response /
stress response)
* Connection to left
hemisphere of brain
* Right Swara is
considered as Rough, non virtuous
* Dominance during dark
fortnight (15 days from the next day of full moon to no
moon)
* Right Swara gives
fruitful results Sunday, Saturday, Tuesday
* Zodiac signs during
Solar flow - aries, aquarious, libra, gemini,
sagittarius
Acts to be performed when
Left Swara is Active:
* All auspicious
acts
* Stable, permanent
actions
* Purchasing jewelry,
clothes, journey etc
* Construction of
house
* Offices, temple
etc.
* Marriages, religious
rights, peaceful work
* Treating incurable
diseases
Acts to be performed when
Right Swara is Active:
* Extreme tantra
techniques
* Meanest & worst
actions
* Drinking wine,
destroying enemies
* Sensual
pleasures
* Work requiring extreme
dynamism
* Physical
work
* Solving
mathematics
* Eating, gratifying
senses, captivating women
Third Swara
"Sushumna":
* Located Center of the
spinal cord
* It represents "Shiva"
(pure consciousness) in the state of "So-Ham"
* Sushumna is said to be
active when Left & right swara flows
together
* No worldly action
recommended, work gives no result
* It indicates non
attachment to the mundane things
* While third Swara is
active Meditation recommended
Rhythms of Swara:
* Each Swara (Left and
Right) Alternates in 60 Min - One Swara is active for about 1 to
1.5 hours depends on individual, and after that 2nd
Swara starts flowing, this cycle continues during day and
night.
* These Swara Activities
are related to Moon phases
* Sunrise timing is
crucial - Generally for healthy people the Swara should change at
the time of sunrise and sunset.
* Lunar / left
Swara
* Active during 1st 3
days of Bright fortnight at sunrise
* Right / solar
Swara
* Active during 1st 3
days of dark fortnight at sunrise
Readjusting the
Swara:
* Close active nostril
with finger or cotton wool
* Inhale through active
nostril & exhale through inactive
* Apply pressure to the
armpit of the active nostril
* Lie down on the same
side of the active nostril
* Cold bath or hot water
changes the Swara
* Food consumed changes
Swara
1. Chilli, ginger -
Solar / right Swara
2. Yogurt, bananas -
left / lunar Swara
Swara Indication -
Physical & Mental
activities
Common Cold
- common cold indicates
dominating Left Swara, which indicates cold. One can change this
dominating left swara to right swara and cure the common cold or
other diseases.
Acidity -
if Right swara dominates, it
indicates the person will suffer from either acidity or fever.
Right Swara is Hot in nature.
Swara Yoga is still unexplored
area and lot of scientific research needs to be carried out before
all facts and exact relation of Swara and physical and mental
activities is known.
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