YOGA JOURNEY

"By contentment, supreme joy is gained" Patanjali

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 "Yoga is not a theary but a practical way of life"  Swami Vishnu Devananda
Yoga History
Yoga origins are shrouded in the mists of time - for yoga is regarded as the divine science of life, revealed to enlightened the sages in meditation. Yoga is first mentioned in the vast collection of scriptures called the vedas, portions which date from at least 2500BC, however it is the Upanishads that form the later part of the Vedas, that provide the main foundation of yoga teaching, and of the philosophy known as Vedanta. 
The Sage Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras (thread),the first text on the subject yoga, over 2,500 years ago.In it he defined yoga as chitta-vritti-nirohdah, the cessation of the turnings of the mind.                                               
 
The Meaning of Yoga
Yoga embraces different aspect, but they are all in the circle of "union". Yoga is to reunite the individual self ( jiva) with the Absolute or pure consciousness (Brahman).Yoga is body, mind and breath, It brings a sense of expansion on many levels. allowing one to rediscover an eternal sense of wholeness.
It is a pure spiritual journey to understanding and mastering the mind.

"Where there is Yoga, there is prosperity,success,freedom and bliss" - by BKS Iyengar

                                                                                                          

Banyan Tree- Kalpavriksha meaning "Wish fulfilling divine tree" -

"The wise speak of the indestructible peoples tree,having it's root above and branches below" -Bhagavad Gita,15-1


The Four Paths of Yoga

There are four main paths of yoga and they all lead you to one destination- union Brahma (God). Since we each have different personalities we may prefer one path to the other, but it is important that other paths are not forgotten as it can lead to unbalanced personality. Establishing which sadhana ( spiritual practice) is more connected to you and simultaneously drawing from the other techniques from the others as well...


Karma Yoga- Active Path: Yoga of action,purifies the heart and teaches one to act selflessly towards other beings.

Bhakti Yoga-Devotional Path: Is the path of devotion, worships and surrenders to god, emotions are unconditional love and devotion.

Jnana Yoga- Philosophical Path: The yoga of knowledge or wisdom.

Raja Yoga-Scientific Path: The science of physical and mental control.Offers an understanding method for the controlling the waves of thought by turning our mental and physical energy into spiritual energy.


                                                  "Traditionally, the god Shiva is regarded as the original founder of Yoga"                                                           
The Eight Limbs of Yoga

Yama - (non-violence, non-stealing)
Niyama - (surrender of the ego, purity, awareness)
Asanas- (steady poses)
Pranayama- (breath control)
Pratyahara- (withdraw of the senses)
Dharana-(concentration)
Dhyana-(meditation)
Samadhi-(superconciousness)
    
What is Yoga and How Can One Benefit?

Yoga Exercise - Asanas
In yoga the physical exercise, is called  asanas. The are practiced in gentle movements, stretching the body and lubricating the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and other parts of the body that have never been exercised. Asanas help to improve circulation, release tension, tone the nervous system and increase flexibility. Increases mobility and a healthier physical body. When the asanas are performed with manner, correct breathing and focus it becomes more than just a physical practice, consciously and unconsciously one becomes more aware of who they are and what their purpose is. Negative thought turns into positive, bringing calm and harmony to life and inner peace.

Asana Benefits

Physical:  Twisting, stretching, bending helps keep one young and mobile. Increases flexibility and keeps the spine healthy and young. Massages and stimulates the glands and organs helping them to function better. Circulation and oxygen also increases feeding the the whole of the body.

Mental: Steady postures increase concentration to the mind. keeps the mind free from distractions caused by the physical movement. Helps to improve the minds capacity to meditate.

Pranic:   Pranayama increases pranic energy.To feel the benefit one must practice for a while. Different asanas put pressure on various points. Purifies and strengthens the nadis( energy channels).As well it is used to awaken the shishuma. (the shushuma runs through the centre of the spine, from the root (muladhara chakra) and terminates at the crown of the head ( sahasrara chakra).
Lord Shiva dancing as Nataraja
 
Universal Mantra
 
To a Yogi, no symbol is more powerful than the syllable OM, as witnessed by these words from the Up-anishad: "OM: this eternal word is all; what was, what is and what shall be." In the Sanskrit letter the long lower curve represents the dream state,the upper curve stands for the waking state and the curve issuing from the centre symbolizes deep, dreamless sleep. The crescent shape stands for "maya", the veil of illusion and the dot for the transcendental state.When the individual spirit in man passes through the veil and rests in the transcendental he is liberated from the three states of their qualities.
 
Chakas and Nadis
There are 72'000 nadis criss-crossing our astral body each branching into another 72'000 they have countless outlets and functions.. The point where a number of nadis cross is called a chakra.
Pranayama helps to unblock any negative energy in the body, it cleanses and strengthens the nadis and chakras.
 
            
          The seven chakras sit along the spine in the shishuma

Muladhara Chakra
The lowest chakra, located at the base of the spine. Resting place of the dormant Kundalini (spiritual potential) 
Swadhishtana Chakra
2nd Chakra, situated along the Shushuma is the genital area. 
Manipura Chakra
3rd Chakra, located at the navel, correspondes to the solar plexus in the phisical body.
Anahata Chakra
4th Chakra, Heart centre. Focal point for meditation, and generates cosmic love.
Vishuddha Chakra
The fifth energy centre in the Astral body, located in the throat.
Ajna Chakra
6th Chakra, located in the middle of the forehead"third eye". Mantra OM
Sahasrara Chakra
The seventh Chakra, The highest chakra is represented by 1'000 petalled lotus, symbolizing infinity.