What does yoga mean? Yoga is a system of mental, physical and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India. Its aim is to quiet the mind and realise a detached witness consciousness, untouched by the cares of the mind and worldly suffering. This is the highest state of being and the ultimate goal of yoga.

The name yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’, meaning yoke. Although yoga is often associated with renunciation, the yogis of old also recognised the importance of being present in the world.

In fact, the yogis used to live as renunciants because they believed the world was a false illusion. However, they recognised the need to be active members of society and a part of the community.

Podcast

The ultimate goal of yoga is to quiet the mind so that we can gain insight and become one with the universe. In other words: When we become still, we can experience our infinite capacities.

We can become more aware of ourselves and our world, and our abilities are no longer limited. Modern physics has proven that every subatomic particle in our body is in constant connection with everything else in the universe.

Yoga is a constantly evolving practice. However, each tradition and school has its own focus and practice.

In Ashtanga yoga, for example, the focus is on connecting the mind and body with the breath. The union of these three components changes the energy in the body and allows us to experience transformation.

The benefits of yoga

Yoga is an exercise that improves strength, flexibility and mental power. It can be practiced at any level and does not require hours of practice. Even a 15-minute practice a day can bring significant benefits.

One of the great benefits of yoga is improved flexibility. Different yoga postures help the body become more flexible and can relieve pain and stiffness.

Yoga also improves overall health. The practice of yoga helps to increase body awareness and strengthen the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

This is achieved through meditative breathing and postures. Some postures require the practitioner to bend and stretch their body, others are about achieving better posture.

Another benefit of yoga is its calming effect on the nervous system. Researchers have found that it can lower levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and cortisol. Yoga can also improve the immune system. It can also reduce chronic anger and increase feelings of compassion and connection.

Back pain is an unfortunate reality for millions of people. It can be difficult to get rid of it, but yoga can help. Many poses are designed to strengthen the core muscles, which in turn prevents back pain.

The different styles of yoga

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga yoga is a series of asanas, i.e. yoga postures that are performed in a specific sequence. This sequence combines breath and movement. It is divided into three parts: the primary series, the intermediate series and the advanced series. Newcomers usually start with the primary series and work their way through the series. This sequence requires practice and discipline.

Its benefits include purification of mind and body. Practising Ashtanga is intense and requires a high level of concentration. It also promotes flexibility and strength and helps to manage stress.

Ashtanga practice is a good choice for both beginners and advanced practitioners. But remember that the process can be demanding – it requires a lot of commitment and discipline to achieve real results!

Pranayama is an essential part of Ashtanga Yoga. It is a series of breathing techniques that help move prana through the body.

Ashtanga students learn Ujjayi Pranayama or the Ocean Breath to help them focus. Advanced students learn more advanced pranayama techniques. In addition to pranayama, Ashtanga practitioners concentrate on a single point, called the ‘focus point’, during practice.

Ashtanga yoga can be physically demanding and can lead to injury if done incorrectly. It is important to practice the correct technique for each pose to avoid overuse injuries. It is also important to see your doctor if you experience any pain or injury.

What is Vinyasa Yoga?

If you are unfamiliar with Vinyasa Yoga, the basics of the practice begin with Plank Pose. This pose requires a firm core and strong arms and legs. It prepares the body for more advanced poses. If you are not sure how to perform the plank, follow your teacher’s instructions.

Although there are many different styles of vinyasa yoga, they all have a similar goal: to connect breath and movement. Many vinyasa classes have a fast pace, which can make them challenging for beginners. They are also a good choice for people who prefer a more athletic style of yoga.

Vinyasa sequences often consist of three or six movements. Each movement is linked to a specific breath. The inhale is associated with the expanding movements, while the exhale is associated with the contracting movements.

This method aims to strengthen the body and mind while creating peace and harmony.

The breath is the anchor of every movement, which is why Vinyasa is often referred to as Flow Yoga.

Vinyasa yoga exercises are effective in improving cardiovascular health. By controlling the body’s response to stress, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

A relaxed nervous system helps blood vessels to work at a higher level, which improves circulation. Vinyasa yoga also improves posture by creating space in the body.

What is Bikram Yoga?

Bikram yoga is a form of hot yoga. It was developed by Bikram Choudhury. His system is based on the teachings of B. C. Ghosh and became popular in the early 1970s. His method includes the practice of postures, breathing techniques and meditation.

Bikram Yoga has become very popular, especially in the United States. This practice involves performing a series of specific yoga postures in a specially controlled environment.

The exercises require intense concentration and meditative thought. Bikram yoga not only strengthens your body, but is also said to make your mind healthier and happier.

The technique is practised in a specially heated room that is artificially heated. The room is set at 35 – 40 degrees Celsius and 40% humidity.

Both beginners and experienced yogis can benefit from this workout. The heat in the studio can be uncomfortable for beginners, but most people can tolerate it after a few classes.

This type of yoga exercises the heart muscle and promotes blood circulation throughout the body. Bikram yoga also helps to reduce the risk of injury.

Bikram yoga consists of a series of 26 poses. Each pose is repeated twice during the class. Some poses are more difficult than others, so it is important to listen to your body and follow the teacher’s instructions. Supports are used for difficult poses. Concentrate on breathing during the lesson.

The technique is practised in a specially heated room that is artificially heated. The room is set at 105 degrees Celsius and 40% humidity.

What is Iyengar Yoga?

Iyengar Yoga is a type of yoga that is very detailed and precise. It was developed by B. K. S. Iyengar and described in his 1966 bestseller Light on Yoga. This style of yoga focuses on precision, alignment and detail. You may wonder how Iyengar Yoga differs from other yoga styles.

The first principle of Iyengar Yoga is alignment. Alignment of the muscles creates a symmetry in the body that allows for an inner sense of balance and harmony. In addition, precise alignment can help you develop insight, wisdom and clarity. The Iyengar method uses props to help students perform the asanas.

Iyengar yoga has numerous health benefits and can help people with a variety of physical ailments. It can relieve pain and discomfort and trigger the relaxation response. It can also help control blood pressure, reduce stress and prevent cardiovascular disease.

In a typical Iyengar school, you will learn more than 200 postures as well as a variety of breathing exercises, including pranayama.

What is Anusara Yoga?

Anusara yoga is a practice that focuses on three key components: Posture, Alignment and Action. Anusara teaches how to open your heart and align with the Divine. It also focuses on awareness of every part of your body and the natural flow of energy within it.

Props are used to help participants achieve a better level of physical strength and flexibility. Breathing techniques are also used to connect the body and mind.

While the yoga exercises involve physical poses, the focus is on opening the heart and seeing the light in ourselves and others. Practising Anusara Yoga daily can help you gain physical strength, mental stability and spiritual serenity.

The asanas taught in the Anusara Method are guided by the Universal Principles of Alignment, which aim to bring mind, body and heart into harmony. The teacher chooses a theme for each class, for example the theme of love or peace. The class often concludes with a meditation. Chanting Om is an important part of the Anusara practice.

What is Jivamukti Yoga?

Jivamukti Yoga is a type of yoga that works on a holistic level to promote mental and physical health. Its philosophy focuses on ‘non-duality’ and aims to promote a vegan lifestyle as well as a connection with nature. The style promotes a variety of aspects of yoga, such as meditation and mantra chanting, in addition to traditional physical postures.

Students can choose to take a Jivamukti course as a beginner or as an advanced student. The first level of training consists of 300 hours of rigorous training. The training covers topics such as anatomy and philosophy, as well as teaching methods and meditation. The training is aimed at attaining inner peace and developing a personal practice focused on serving others.

Another important part of Jivamukti Yoga is the practice of Ahimsa, or non-violence. According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, ‘Ahimsa’ means to be a non-violent person. The Yoga Sutra teaches us to practise Ahimsa by being mentally, physically and verbally harmless. The practices of Jivamukti Yoga include vegetarianism, and the practice of Ahimsa is considered karmic purification.

What is laughter yoga?

Laughter yoga is a practice in which participants voluntarily laugh for long periods of time. It is based on the belief that voluntary laughter has physiological benefits similar to those of spontaneous laughter.

It is usually done in groups. Participants are encouraged to maintain eye contact and interact playfully. It is an excellent way to reduce stress and improve overall health. Laughter yoga can also help people build relationships and improve their quality of life.

Laughter yoga is the result of research by Dr Madan Kataria, a family doctor from Mumbai, India. His research has shown that laughter can be a powerful complementary medicine. It was also inspired by the life of an American man named Norman Cousins, who had only six months to live in 1964. After undergoing laughter therapy, Cousins recovered and went on to live an active life.

Classes are led by a trained laughter yoga teacher. Class size can vary from a few to many participants depending on the location. The teacher must have a certificate in laughter yoga, but usually also has a yoga teaching qualification. Instructors are encouraged to participate in group activities and engage with course participants to teach them the benefits of laughter yoga.

What is Kripalu Yoga?

The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is a non-profit organisation that operates a health retreat in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The centre is located in a 160,000 square foot building that was once a Jesuit junior seminary and novitiate. In 2019, the organisation recorded $37.24 million in revenue.

Kripalu’s yoga classes focus on the integration of mind, body and spirit. This helps students learn to be present and consciously listen to their body’s intelligence.

It is a gentle practice suitable for beginners and experienced yogis alike. The practice is suitable for all fitness levels and participants are encouraged to find their own personal level during the practice.

The main focus of Kripalu Yoga is to awaken the life force (prana). As prana flows freely through the body, it heals the body and enriches the experience of life. Teachers aim to help students live happy, fulfilled lives and develop greater compassion.

What is Svaroopa® Yoga?

Svaroopa Yoga is an easy-to-learn form of yoga that promotes physical and mental well-being. The four basic asanas begin at the tailbone and extend to each area of the spine. Classes usually last between 60 and 90 minutes.

Svaroopa Yoga uses props to support the poses and the yoga teacher makes adjustments by hand. This style of yoga is suitable for all levels of practitioners. The science behind this approach to yoga helps you develop a healthy and vibrant body. Svaroopa yoga also helps you connect with your divine nature.

The yoga postures in Svaroopa classes help to dissolve the deep layers of physical tension and release karmic patterns. They help you to experience deep, lasting relaxation and a sense of freedom in your life.

The meditative practice also helps to turn back the clock of ageing and strengthen the body’s natural healing power. The physical changes are only the beginning of the profound deepening of your practice. The course also includes tantric technique and sequential spinal decompression.

What is Ananda Yoga?

Ananda Yoga, also known as Ananda Yoga for Higher Awareness, is a philosophy based on the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. It is a form of meditation that emphasises a state of higher awareness.

The principles of Ananda Yoga were originally developed by Paramahansa Yogananda’s western disciple Kriyananda. These teachings originated from Yogananda’s Self-Realisation Fellowship and the Yogoda Satsanga Society of India.

Ananda Yoga focuses on the development of the mind and body. This is done by working with subtle energy. It is a holistic practice that incorporates pranayama and meditation as well as the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras.

It also includes a series of exercises known as energising exercises. These exercises are an important part of Ananda Yoga because they lead the practitioner to a greater oneness with the infinite spirit.

Another aspect of Ananda Yoga is the use of affirmations. The idea behind the use of affirmations is to increase the flow of the life force upwards and inwards.

These affirmations are used to enhance the spiritual benefits of each asana. Our words have more power than we think. In fact, they can change the course of our life force and increase or decrease its potency. Some of the affirmations are as simple as visualising certain words that have meaning for us.

What is Bhakti Yoga?

Bhakti Yoga is a style of meditation that focuses on the loving. It is one of the three classical Hindu paths to moksha. The other two are Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. The three practices are very similar, but there are also significant differences.

Bhakti Yoga is a devotional practice created to unite a person’s heart and mind. People practise it for a variety of reasons.

Some people find it very spiritual and believe it is the only way to find God. Others are religious or seek spirituality and practice bhakti to find a connection with the divine.

One of the main benefits of bhakti yoga is that it promotes peace of mind. It can help people deal with pressure and anxiety and make them more compassionate towards other beings.

It can also help people heal faster. Most importantly, it can help people improve their relationships with others. Bhakti yoga is a spiritual practice that can help you overcome your anxiety and depression.

Bhakti yoga practice involves three stages. First, you listen to stories about God and sing religious melodies. Second, it is about recognising the divine in ALL things and thereby dissolving the distinction between the seer and the seen. Thirdly, bhakti practice teaches us to express our deepest feelings towards God through images.

What is Jnana Yoga?

Jnana Yoga is one of the classical Hindu paths to Moksha. It emphasises the “path of knowledge” (also called Self-realisation) and combines elements of Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. In the Hindu tradition, the three paths lead to Moksha.

The goal of Jnana Yoga is to eliminate the ego and the mind from our being. This is achieved through deep meditation and the concentration of the mind on the One Self. In this way, the Jnana yogi can attain enlightenment. In other words, Jnana Yoga involves the study of the scriptures and self-study.

If you are new to the practice, you need to find a qualified teacher to help you. Jnana Yoga is a complex form of yoga and it takes time to master. However, it can give you tremendous spiritual insight and open your mind to the perception of truth.

Jnana Yoga is a discipline that involves developing the virtues of non-attachment, equanimity, restraint and faith. The aim is to reduce the suffering and dissatisfaction that accompany the experience of life.