subject: Yoga, Asana's, Karma - What Does It All Mean? [print this page] Yoga is an ancient tradition, about 3000 years old, used to create a balance in the body through developing physical strength and flexibility. This is done by holding postures known as Asana's, each of which has specific benefits. The postures can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement (vinyasa-style yoga) or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect the alignment of the posture. The postures are a constant, but the approach to them varies depending on the tradition in which the teacher has trained.
The word Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where Yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between the mind, body and spirit. This allows us to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life.
In India Yoga is considered one of the six branches of classical philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas, ancient Indian scriptures and amongst the oldest texts in existence. The origins of yoga are believed to stem from the oral traditions of Yogis, where knowledge of Yoga was handed down from Guru (spiritual teacher) to Sisya (spiritual student) all the way back to the originators of Yoga, "the Rishis", who first began investigation into the nature of reality and man's inner world.
The ultimate aim of Yoga is to reach "Kaivalya", emancipation, ultimate freedom or enlightenment. This is the experience of one's innermost being or "soul" (the Purusa). Then one becomes free of chains of cause and effect (Karma) which tie us to continual reincarnation. In Kaivalya one is said to exist in peace and tranquillity, having attained absolute knowledge of the difference between the spiritual which is timeless, unchanging and free of sorrows.
Yoga is therefore a spiritual quest. Following the path of Yoga the aspirant also gains health, happiness, tranquillity and knowledge. Buddhism and other Eastern spiritual traditions use many techniques derived from Yoga. In fact martial arts such as Tai Chi and Kunk Fu were developed for Chinese monks by Bodhidharma, an Indian Buddhists, who took these practises from India to China.
There are said to be 4 main paths (Margas) by which to reach the ultimate goal of Yoga - "Kaivalya." There is the path of Knowledge (Jnana Marga) in which one learns to discriminate between what is real and what is illusory, the path of selfless work (Karma marga), the path of devotion (Bhakti Marga) and the path of control of the mind (Yoga Marga) where all the activities of the mind and consciousness are studied and brought under control. From these have come the various paths of yoga which can be followed.
* Raja Yoga involves mastery of the mind and senses in Samadhi.
* Hatha Yoga is the yoga of the will which involves cultivating ones energy to arouse Kundalini primarily by means of asana (poses or postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques).
* Mantra Yoga involves reciting sacred syllables to reach perfection.
* Laya Yoga involves absorption in god to experience ultimate bliss.
* Bhakti Yoga requires absolute devotion to god to achieve the ultimate goal.
* Karma Yoga achieves this through selfless work without thought of personal reward.
* Jnana Yoga is the yoga of knowledge cultivating the discrimination between spiritual reality and the illusion of the material world.
Various schools or styles of Yoga have grown emphasising different aspects of these paths, or a combination of them. Usually these schools are established by renowned teachers or gurus and reflect their methodologies and ways of practicing, teaching and following the path of yoga.
Particular methods may be considered more effective than others or may suit an individual's temperament better. That said, it must always be remembered that all these are merely different methods for reaching for the same ultimate goal. They are all aspects of the overall philosophy of Yoga.
There are 8 disciplines to Yoga which must be practiced and refined in order to perceive the true self- the ultimate goal of Yoga:
1. Yama - Universal ethics: Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual restraint and non-acquisitiveness.
2. Niyama - Principles of self conduct: purity, contentment, intense dedication or austerity, study of self and scriptures and self-surrender.
3. Asana - practice of the postures.
4. Pranayama - Breath control.
5. Pratyahara - withdrawal and control of the senses.
6. Dharana - concentration.
7. Dhyana - meditation.
8. Samadhi - a state of higher consciousness where the sense of self (ego) dissolves in the object of meditation and the individual self exists in its own pure nature.
Through the practice of Yoga we can transform ourselves, gain mastery over our mind and emotions, overcome obstacles to our spiritual evolution and attain the goal of Yoga: liberation from the bondage of worldly desires.
by: Anadi Taylor
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