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All About Yoga
The history of Yoga, health benefits of Yoga mastery of the elements, different types of yoga .….
This is a brief overview of a discipline which you can follow for spiritual experience and understanding or for the health benefits of Yoga.
Yoga is a vast topic; we provide here an outline of the different types of Yoga, which may lead you to explore this ancient practice further, and even to learn some yoga basic positions and reap the rewards in your life.
What is Yoga?
A definition of yoga - Yoga can be described as a spiritual discipline or practice which focuses on harmonising mind, body and spirit.
Yoga is not a religion although its practice has been associated with religious groups in India.
First found in the Indian sub-continent, Yoga is an ancient ritual or tradition, a form of meditation, which can lead to a feeling of peace and being at one with the universe. In the rest of the world Yoga has been used as a series of poses or exercises, and is related to a healthy body and physical strength.
The word yoga derives from Sanskrit - meaning union or merger. Ultimately Yoga aims to create a balance of mind, body and spirit and lead to enlightenment, but practicing Yoga merely for its physical benefits is useful.
Physical movement, various poses, breathing methods, meditation and relaxation all form part of the tradition of Yoga.
The History of Yoga
The history of Yoga spans five thousand years - the earliest recorded evidence is found in archaeological discoveries from around 3000 B.C. - with various Yoga poses depicted in stone. It seems likely that yoga existed before that time.
To understand the history of Yoga, it is easiest explained in five time periods –
• Vedic Yoga - The very earliest Hindu writings discuss Yoga activities relating to rigorously focussing the mind by contemplation and meditation, leading to an understanding of existence.
• Pre-classical Yoga - For approximately 2,000 years up until year 200 secret Yoga writing and texts about meta-physical topics are found in the ‘Upanishades’ works. Yoga began to develop as a system of thought, and was handed on from teacher to student.
• Classical Yoga - Here we find the eight-limbed Yoga described in the Sutras by Patanjali. Written around years100-200 the Yoga Sutras provide about 200 maxims or words of wisdom; these are studied even today by serious students of Yoga. Patanjali contends that humans consist of matter and soul, and Yoga aims to free the soul from the material world.
• Post-classical Yoga - This term applies to the large number if different yoga schools which sprang up.
The previous focus of Yoga had been the spiritual person; now Yoga began to look at the physical person. A system of different exercises combined with breathing and mediations was developed – to keep the body young and promote longevity.
Following this new thought came the development of Hatha Yoga and Tantra Yoga.
• Modern Yoga - In 1893 in Chicago, a visiting Indian, Swami Patanjali introduced Yoga which so impressed those present that he subsequently was invited to tour USA lecturing on the practice. This was the beginning of practising Yoga in the western world.
During the 1940’s Indra Devi from Russia taught ‘Hatha’ Yoga in Hollywood to famous stars, then in the 1950’s the book “Sport and Yoga” was written by Selvarajan Yesudian, introducing it to the world of sport.
• Yoga Today - More and more people practice Yoga in its various forms, as people are becoming more conscious of their health, and wanting to not only live longer, but to live healthier.
Yoga not only helps with physical health but helps with the stress and pressures we face daily.
Health Benefits of Yoga
The benefits of Yoga include Spiritual benefits and psychological benefits – stress and depression have been proven to be significantly reduced with regular Yoga practice.
Scientifically proven Health Benefits of Yoga include:
• Improved balance and flexibility
• Anti-aging and longevity
• Strength
• Weight reduction and control
• Improved sexual function
• Impacts on infertility and reproductive problems
• Blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Joint pain
• Endurance
• Cardio-vascular disease
• Much more
Types of Yoga
The main branches of Yoga practiced today include the following.
• Hatha Yoga
• Karma Yoga
• Vinyasa Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Jnana Yoga
• Raja Yoga
• Mantra Yoga
• Kundalini Yoga
• Purna Yoga
• Laughter Yoga is a recent development, and the first Laughter Club met as recently as 1995 – see discussion about the effectiveness of Laughter Yoga developed by Dr Madan Kataria