The long lower curve represents the
dreaming state.
The upper curve stands for the waking
state.
The curve which emanates from the
center represents deep sleep beyond dreams.
The crescent stands for the veil of
material illusion.
The dot is the transcendental state.
MEDITATE
ON THE MEANING OF THIS
Yoga
The term yoga comes from a Sanskrit
word that means yoke or union. Traditionally, yoga is a method that joins the
individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic Consciousness.
Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this goal, also
called self-transcendence or enlightenment.
On the physical level, yoga postures,
called asanas, are designed to tone, strengthen, and align the body. These
postures are performed to make the spine supple and healthy and to promote
blood flow to all the organs, glands, and tissues, keeping all the body systems
healthy. On a mental level, yoga uses breathing techniques and meditation to
quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind.
A Brief History of Yoga
Yoga has a long history, it is very
ancient. Yoga evolved on the Indian continent over a period of 5000 years. It
has its roots in the Hinduism and Brahmanism, yet our contemporary western
approach to yoga has little to do with any particular belief or religion.
However, it can be said that our contemporary western approach to yoga is only
a very small portion of what yoga is all about. Yoga is a deep well of
knowledge which helps quell our thirst for the truth. Yoga contains several
branches of learning which includes, Hatha Yoga, the physical branch of yoga
everyone in the west is most familiar with. Yoga, was developed by ascetics
living primarily in the southern portions of India. These ascetics led very
disciplined lives, they were vegetarians and they adhered to a nonviolent
philosophy. They lived close to the earth, they observed nature, the animals
and themselves. The first photo to the right is of Sri Yukteswar, Yogananda's
teacher, he was an enlightened master ascetic.
These ascetics would imitate many of
the animals they observed, their postures and habits, in order to emulate their
strength, grace and wisdom. The ascetics lived in harmony with nature,
exhibiting extraordinary health and endurance. Throughout ages, these ascetics
or monks would continue to add to their growing body of knowledge about
exercise and health as they tried to master their own bodies in an effort to
produce the energy for the realization of truth.
The word yoga is derived from
Sanskrit, and in it's simplicity means 'to bind together' and 'to reunite'.
Over time there has been a steady effort by many great Indian seers to develop
and perfect specific techniques with which they could unite the lower mind with
the higher mind or with what they called Universal Consciousness. Yoga is
India's greatest gifts to the world, and we here in the west have only recently
come to know and appreciate its many wonders.
Hinduism developed in India in the
same historical period that yoga did and these two rich and profound
philosophies have had great influence on each other, so much so, that until the
beginning of the twentieth century all yogis were devout Hindu priests.
Then in the early part of the
twentieth century, Hindu yoga masters or swamis, traveled to the west in order
to share their religious beliefs and practices. Yoga at this point was to
undergo another profound change as it's light was about to be filtered through
the prism of western existentialism and rational scientific materialism. These
teachers brought a new spiritual awareness to the west. To the right is a photo
of Yogananda one of the most influencial spiritual masters to come to America .
Our modern approaches to yoga have created a clear delineations between the Hindu
religion and the practice of yoga. Yoga as it has been developed in the west is
largely concerned with the physical exercises and health promoting breathing
exercises of yoga, it has moved away from it's original religiosity. Yoga as
practiced in the west is largely non-religious because the needs of America's
large culture of health and exercise which used it for its own purposes.
How to Get Started..
Yoga postures affect every part of
the body, stretching and toning muscles, joints, the spine, and the entire
skeletal system. All the vital organs and glands are affected by the postures
which stimulate and massage them. The whole body is benefited by yoga postures
and the deep breathing which is done with them. Hatha Yoga unifies mind, body
and spirit , bringing you to new heights of physical and mental well being.
To begin practicing hatha yoga, all
you need is a quiet, warm and ventilated room with soft or natural light.
Practice on a comfortable surface such as a carpet or a Sticky Mat, if you need
help with your flexibility you may also want to purchase some Yoga blocks or a
Yoga Belt which are available through the Yoga Boutique. You can wear anything
as long as it does not impede your movements or bind too tight.
In Hatha Yoga your breathing is
deepened and synchronized with the postures. The synchronized deep breathing
allows you to relax into the poses. The poses themselves will only evolve into
their intended form as your breathing deepens and your muscles begin to
naturally relax, this breathing effect is what makes Hatha Yoga distinctive
from other forms of exercise. Tension is released while in pose or during the
exercise, therefore the postures will not leave you feeling fatigued or over
exerted after your workout.
A Hatha yoga posture is called an
Asana. There are three stages to each Asana, coming into the pose, holding the
pose, and coming out of the pose. Come into the pose slowly and continuously,
do not strain for the pose, instead deepen your breathing as an aid. Hold the
pose for as long as is comfortable for you, the real work of an Asana is done
while you hold the pose. Once you are relaxed in the pose adjust yourself for
maximum stretch. Then stay quiet and motionless in the pose. When exiting the
pose release very slowly, exhale deeply as you release.
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