... with any yoga, be focusing. You will be asked to focus your eyes on a point as you move through the poses given out by your instructor. In order to get the full effect and benefit of Ashtanga, you should make sure that your muscles and perhaps even the rooms are very warm. This ensures maximum flexibility and minimal injury as you work through the demanding postures.

If you are into athletics, exercise, or just want a new physical challenge, perhaps you should consider giving Ashtanga yoga a try. The clear choice of athletes and an increasingly popular form in general, it is perfect for those that are in decent shape and want to increase their strength, stamina, and flexibility. Power yoga is a series of poses taken in a quick and free flowing sequence. Even the classes move quickly with teachers adding more difficult sequences every time one is fairly well mastered. So if you learn fast, like to work hard, and think you are up to the challenge of power yoga, then you may benefit greatly from Ashtanga yoga poses.

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Paths of yoga I

...e path of meditation (Raja Yoga), the path of devotion (Bhakti Yoga), the path of selfless service to the Divine (Karma Yoga), and the path of intellectual analysis or the discrimination of truth and reality (Jnana Yoga).

These Yoga techniques cover a broad range, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual activities.

Raja yoga involves psycho-physical meditational techniques to attain experience of the truth and finally achieve liberation described in Hindu thought to be moksha. The basis of ashtanga yoga is the yoga sutras (Sanskrit Verses) of Patanjali. We will consider the different aspects of yoga while remaining under the guiding principles of Patanjali's yoga (Ashtanga Yoga). Raja Yoga is a comprehensive yoga system which deals with the refinement of human behavior and personality through the practice the Yama (restraint) and Niyama (disciplines); attainment of physical health and vitality through Asana (postures) and Pranayama (pranic breathing techniques); management of mental and emotional conflicts and development of awareness and concentration through Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and Dharana (concentration); and developing the creative aspect of consciousness for transcendental awareness through Dhyan (meditation) & Samadhi (absorption in the universal identity).

Bhakti yoga is the Hindu term for the spiritual practice of fostering of loving devotion to God, called Bhakti. Traditionally there are 9 forms of bhakti yoga. Sravana (hearing of God's Lilas and stories), Kirtana (...more

Origins of yoga

...ly for almost a millennium before it was penned down between 1500 and 1200 B.C., it is very difficult to point out the exact timeline. Patanjali (first yoga text) dated around 2nd century BC, preaches about adherence to "eight limbs" to provide harmony to one's mind.

The Upanisads thought to have been written between the eight and fourth centuries B.C provides the earliest complete narrative of the principles and goals of yoga. Since Upanishads constitute the end of Spiritual wisdom they are also called as Vedanta. In the Vedantas, the practice of sacrificing animals and conducting ceremonies in order to appease the gods was replaced by the understanding that man can achieve union with God by the means of inner sacrifice. The inner sacrifice meant leading a life of restraint, mor...more

How to Become Regular in Your Yoga Practice

...nds in the mind. Take a determination that you are going to give yoga a fair try and you are going to practice, because it is important to you. Close your eyes, and think For the next three months I am going to do it every day.

During the course of time, whenever you start thinking, Oh today I dont want to do my yoga exercises, remember your initial determination and stick to it.

2. Do it Together With some Friends: Learning how to give and share is an important part of yoga, so dont keep yoga to your self. If possible find one or two friends who would benefit from practicing yoga, and do it together with them. The good thing about practicing with others is that if a day comes when you are not motivated to do the practice, the enthusiasm of your friends will carry you along and you will do the practice with them.

3. Make a Regular Schedule and Stick to It: Yoga is not like tennis or some recreational sport which you will do if the sun is sh...more

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