Showing posts with label Contentment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contentment. Show all posts

February 25, 2009

What Is Ashtanga Yoga?

In Sanskrit Ashta means eight and Anga means limbs so it can be termed as the eight limb path and is based on Yoga Philosophy of Patanjali. As history of yoga is very rich it helps people in all its manner and this is one of its form which is also known as Power Yoga. Each of the eight limbs has an important part to play for a better and healthy living looking ahead to make life less stressful and happy.

The eight limbs which signify Ashthanga Yoga are

1. Yama - It reflects the moral and ethical grounds of human behavior

Ahimsa: Non-violence
Satya: Truthfulness
Asteya: No stealing
Brahmacharya: Celibacy
Aparigraha: Non-covetousness or Envy or possessiveness

2. Niyama - It reflects the disciplines one has to go through their human life

Shoucha - Purity

Santosh - Contentment

Tapa - Endurance

Swadhyaya- Self study

Eshwar Pranidhan- Dedication towards god

3. Asana: It is the practice of asana for better well-being in your body and soul

4. Pranayama: Breathing exercises a way to attain control on your breathing pattern

5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses, which would mean total cut off from the outside world and the concentration level increases in making your mind a haven for all the positive energy.

6. Dharana: Concentration, something which would help you to concentrate without any level of distraction.

7. Dhyana: Meditation and concentration on things which are your main objective but also being done on a wider perspective.

8. Samadhi: Attainment a state of joy and bliss which is based on your skills of dhyana and realizing the purity of your life and the importance in life as whole. It can also be stated as enlightenment.

Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz, on all aspects of yoga and to know about the different types of yoga like ashthanga yoga.

http://www.yogawiz.com

February 23, 2009

The History of Yoga

The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Contrary to what some people may believe, yoga was not developed as the newest way to slim down so they could fit into a smaller pants size.

The history of yoga goes back 5,000 years. It originated in India, and the first time the word yoga was found in written form was in the Rig Vada, one of the sacred texts used by Vedic priests. Yoga is a means of achieving spiritual enlightenment.

Originally, yoga techniques were passed down from teacher to student through word of mouth. These techniques had never been written down until the Indian sage Patanjali wrote down a systematic method of yoga in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali is considered to be the father of yoga.

According to Patanjali, there are eight limbs of yoga, which lead to the ultimate goal of enlightenment.

Yama - abstaining from violence, stealing, lust, greed

Niyam - developing devotion, purity, studiousness, contentment, discipline

Pranayama - controlling the breath

Pratyahara - going inward and withdrawing attention from the outside world

Dharana - concentration

Dhyana - meditation

Samadhi - merging with the universal consciousness

The Swami Vivekananda added to the history of yoga by bringing it to America. In 1893, he addressed the Parliament of World Religions and discussed the path of yoga. As a result of his speech, it quickly began to blossom as a practice in many areas of the country. Yoga has since gained major popularity in the United States and many different styles including Hatha, Bikram, and Iyengar, are practiced by millions of people.

Knowing the history of yoga can help you, the practitioner, realize the richness that it has to offer. More than just a means of being fit and trim, yoga can help you live a healthy, whole, and empowered life.

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Here website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life.
 
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