There are a lot of different types of yoga today, so if you are starting out and feeling confused, you are normal.
It is best to start with a type of yoga that is appropriate for your own level of fitness, physical and spiritual goals and health condition.
The 8 most common types of yoga are described in this article and briefly explained to help guide you in choosing the best type of yoga that you can start with.
Physical-Focused Types of Yoga
Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga is focused solely on body alignment and executing precise movements. Yoga accessories such as blocks and straps are normally used by beginners who are not as flexible as the experts.
Yoga accessories help assist all sorts of people to be able to do the poses comfortably.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often considered a good form of exercise for people with neck or back pain, as they are likely to benefit from the random movement in the poses.
Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge on the classics in yoga poses so that whatever other style you eventually practice, you will have the basic fundamentals on how to do each position.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses more on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues to practice regularly
Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga yoga is commonly called “power yoga” because it is focused on a powerful flowing movement.
The movements include pushups and lunges, which deals with strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga is best for people who have a strong back, or have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for more challenging practice.
Athletic people such as runners, cyclists and gynmasts who wish to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also fans of Ashtanga yoga.
Bikram Yoga: Bikram yoga is also known as the “hot yoga” because it is done in a very warm room. Bikram yoga is an excellent tool to increase flexibility because the heat helps you to stretch.
Keep in mind that Bikram yoga is not safe for anyone who has developed cardio vascular diseases, because vigorously exercising in the heat places strain placed on the body.
Mental-Focused Types of Yoga
Bhakti yoga: or commonly known as devotional yoga. Bhakti yoga focus on self surrender in the face of the divine, if you know what that means.
Mantra yoga: Mantra yoga is known as the “yoga of potent sound”. Mantra yoga aims at liberation through the verbal or mental repetition of empowered sounds, such as “om,” “hum,” and “ram.”
Viniyoga: Viniyoga yoga links breathe and movement in flowing exercises that are modified to each individual. Viniyoga is a good form of yoga for those with back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by everyone.
Raja Yoga: Raja yoga aims for liberation through meditation. Raja yoga is meant for those people who are capable of intense concentration.
As you can see, there are many types of yoga to choose from. It is a good idea to discuss the type of yoga practiced before engaging in any yoga class. In particular, learn which philosophy the teacher uses, so you’ll know if it will be a gentle, passive yoga, or a bone crunching form.
Both you and the teacher will be glad you knew what you were getting into, before the class begins.
About The Author
Jack Sinclair is an avid yoga devotee.
Learn everything about yoga for free at http://www.types-of-yoga.com
March 1, 2009
Pilates Yoga
Though referred to as yoga, the Pilates exercise regime has no connection with it and works on entirely different approaches. The common factor between yoga and Pilates programs is their emphasis on mental focus and breath control during exercise. Some refer to Pilates as ?yoga with movement,? and others as ?yoga with machines.?
George Pilates, a German, was a sickly child who managed to improve his health with dedicated exercise programs. As a nurse during the First World War he was looking after the internees. He developed his system of exercises during this time. In 1926 he and his wife opened an exercise school in New York and never looked back. Now it is the top method of keeping fit. Initially, many dancers flocked to his studio to get a supple, strong and balanced body. Now his system has over 500 centers throughout the United States.
His basic approach to exercise was maintaining correct posture while exercising, with particular reference to the spine. The muscles that support the spine, like the back and stomach muscles, get a good workout. He uses breathing techniques to keep the mind focused and increase efficiency. The movements flow from the spine and posture, and balance predominates.
Initially he used the help of some springs. Now over the years many Pilates machines have been developed. These use springs, pulleys and weights, and over the years have become very complicated.
The Pilates exercise program is sweeping over the United States with so much enthusiasm that there are long waiting lists in most studios. There is an acute shortage of trained instructors.
There are three pieces of equipment that are used with Pilates exercise - Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda chair. Individual studios have come up with their own specific machines also. But it is not always necessary to use equipment. There are programs, though limited in effect, that can be done on a simple mat.
The merger of yoga techniques with Pilates exercise enhances its effect and appeal to the public.
Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.
George Pilates, a German, was a sickly child who managed to improve his health with dedicated exercise programs. As a nurse during the First World War he was looking after the internees. He developed his system of exercises during this time. In 1926 he and his wife opened an exercise school in New York and never looked back. Now it is the top method of keeping fit. Initially, many dancers flocked to his studio to get a supple, strong and balanced body. Now his system has over 500 centers throughout the United States.
His basic approach to exercise was maintaining correct posture while exercising, with particular reference to the spine. The muscles that support the spine, like the back and stomach muscles, get a good workout. He uses breathing techniques to keep the mind focused and increase efficiency. The movements flow from the spine and posture, and balance predominates.
Initially he used the help of some springs. Now over the years many Pilates machines have been developed. These use springs, pulleys and weights, and over the years have become very complicated.
The Pilates exercise program is sweeping over the United States with so much enthusiasm that there are long waiting lists in most studios. There is an acute shortage of trained instructors.
There are three pieces of equipment that are used with Pilates exercise - Reformer, Cadillac and Wunda chair. Individual studios have come up with their own specific machines also. But it is not always necessary to use equipment. There are programs, though limited in effect, that can be done on a simple mat.
The merger of yoga techniques with Pilates exercise enhances its effect and appeal to the public.
Yoga provides detailed information on Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Pilates Yoga and more. Yoga is affiliated with Cheap Yoga Mats.
Sweatin’ with the Yogis
I’d say one of the successes of Bikram yoga is this immediate result. I’ve never sweated so much in my life. Before even starting the postures sweat was pouring off my body. This may sound awful, but the heat quickly escapes your mind as your focus is redirected to maintaining the 60-second poses. A 60 second hold is quite difficult because it involves balancing and holding your own body weight, resulting in a serious workout that reaches muscles never worked before.
Fortunately, Bikram yoga is easier than other yoga programs. It isn’t usually necessary to skip postures because you are unable to do them. Each posture is performed in sets of three so it’s no trouble to learn and perfect them faster. Bikram yoga requires two sided mirrors, and detailed, repetitive instructions so it isn’t necessary to look at the instructor. I was able to adjust my own posture and correct myself, providing an added benefit to yoga ? self-confidence.
What if I’m not flexible? Yoga isn’t all about flexibility. The aim of Bikram yoga is not to twist the body into bizarre pretzel shapes, but to strengthen the body’s natural range of motion, to restore flow throughout all bodily systems. The heated environment ensures a safe stretch as you loosen up over time. It isn’t necessary to reach all these positions in order to do yoga. All that matters is to attempt to go to your personal ‘edge’. As Khun Karoonkornsakul said, “Don’t expect so much. Yoga is not competitive. You have to let your ego go.”
How did yoga become so popular?It always helps when you know someone ‘in the business’ ? that is, the entertainment business. Bikram Choudhury has Hollywood swearing by his program; some of his more famous followers including Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Candice Bergen, and Brooke Shields.
It all started in 1972 when Richard Nixon visited the South Pacific. According to CBS, the former President suffered from phlebitis and summoned Choudhury for his special hot yoga. Nixon was supposedly so impressed with the treatment that he gave Bikram an open invitation to come and live in the U.S.
Choudhury has recently been granted copyright protection for his Bikram yoga sequence. In order to guarantee the teaching quality standard, only certified Bikram yoga teachers who have graduated from the 600-hour intensive training course at Bikram Yoga College of India in L.A. are allowed to teach or obtain a franchise to open a studio. As a result, up until now only two Bikram studios existed in Asia, namely in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Putting Bangkok in the forefront of the Asian yoga movement Thailand has now become the third milestone of yoga in Asia by the introduction of Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul, an ex-investment banker who’s been attracted to the Bikram yoga circle since her first Bikram hot yoga experience in Hong Kong. Wanting to stay fit during her travels, Koon Karoonkornsakul agreed to take a Bikram yoga class recommended by a friend.
Having no idea it was going to take place in a hot room, Benjaporn was surprised to find herself sweating profusely. As she said, it’s difficult for Asians to sweat, herself in particular, so this one time adventure was highly rewarding. So much so that she decided to enroll in Bikram’s training course and has now been practicing yoga for 25 years. This interest has brought her hometown, Bangkok, the first certified Bikram yoga facility, Absolute Yoga.
For Benjaporn, yoga is a serious workout without the dangers that tend to limit the range of other fitness programs. With running one usually tends to turn on a music channel and say, ?just give me five songs then I’m done.” Many people like yoga for the same reasons as Benjaporn: a 90 minute yoga workout entails a lot of stretching and focus ? you can’t look around or let your mind wander, you just do it and you’re done. 90 minutes have never gone by faster for me, nor have they been, when it comes to exercise, as mentally and physically rewarding.
So, what do they mean by asanas or poses?
Awkward Pose: What a suitable name. A seated, or better yet, squatting pose with knees bent and buttocks near the heels. To add difficulty, all this is done on the balls of your feet with arms held straight out in front. By the second repetition my thighs and upper arm muscles felt hotter than the room.
Toe Stand Pose: It looks more awkward than the awkward pose. This time squatting on the ball of one foot, the other leg rests on top of the thigh. Arms are in a prayer position, which is a good idea, because by this point I was praying to hold this pose as my muscles struggled to balance my body weight.
Camel Pose: Another one on my list to master, it’s almost like an inverted Bow Pose. Perched on the lower legs and bent over backward in order to place your head between your ankles, the lower back gets a further workout.
Bow Pose: Not even a locust could reach this state. Ideally the Full Locust Pose is taken to its ultimate limits. Upper body and arms reach up to meet raised legs behind you. Absolutely impossible for me at the time, but like yoga tends to be for most people, I’m destined to come back for more.
Full Locust Pose: The locust in flight. Now the upper body should be lifted with arms spread up and back, but that wasn’t about to happen for me. There was no way my ribs were going to get off the floor. Clearly my upper back and shoulder muscles are really out-of-shape.
Locust Pose: Named after an Oriental straight-winged grasshopper with legs and thighs so powerful that it can leap to heights two hundred times the length of its body. In this pose, one lays face down with arms to the side. The legs are lifted up, similar to a grasshopper, providing an intense workout of the buttocks, lower back, and back of the thighs.
Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul, the Managing Director, founder and owner of Absolute Yoga Bangkok (http://www.absoluteyogabangkok.com) has trained to become the first bikram hot yoga teacher in Bangkok. After the first year, Absolute Yoga Bangkok branched out to offer other traditions of yoga and opened more locations to distinguish ourselves as Bangkok’s dedicated yoga place. Our future plans are to continue to expand both in locations and in what is most beneficial to the practioners of Thailand.
Fortunately, Bikram yoga is easier than other yoga programs. It isn’t usually necessary to skip postures because you are unable to do them. Each posture is performed in sets of three so it’s no trouble to learn and perfect them faster. Bikram yoga requires two sided mirrors, and detailed, repetitive instructions so it isn’t necessary to look at the instructor. I was able to adjust my own posture and correct myself, providing an added benefit to yoga ? self-confidence.
What if I’m not flexible? Yoga isn’t all about flexibility. The aim of Bikram yoga is not to twist the body into bizarre pretzel shapes, but to strengthen the body’s natural range of motion, to restore flow throughout all bodily systems. The heated environment ensures a safe stretch as you loosen up over time. It isn’t necessary to reach all these positions in order to do yoga. All that matters is to attempt to go to your personal ‘edge’. As Khun Karoonkornsakul said, “Don’t expect so much. Yoga is not competitive. You have to let your ego go.”
How did yoga become so popular?It always helps when you know someone ‘in the business’ ? that is, the entertainment business. Bikram Choudhury has Hollywood swearing by his program; some of his more famous followers including Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Candice Bergen, and Brooke Shields.
It all started in 1972 when Richard Nixon visited the South Pacific. According to CBS, the former President suffered from phlebitis and summoned Choudhury for his special hot yoga. Nixon was supposedly so impressed with the treatment that he gave Bikram an open invitation to come and live in the U.S.
Choudhury has recently been granted copyright protection for his Bikram yoga sequence. In order to guarantee the teaching quality standard, only certified Bikram yoga teachers who have graduated from the 600-hour intensive training course at Bikram Yoga College of India in L.A. are allowed to teach or obtain a franchise to open a studio. As a result, up until now only two Bikram studios existed in Asia, namely in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Putting Bangkok in the forefront of the Asian yoga movement Thailand has now become the third milestone of yoga in Asia by the introduction of Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul, an ex-investment banker who’s been attracted to the Bikram yoga circle since her first Bikram hot yoga experience in Hong Kong. Wanting to stay fit during her travels, Koon Karoonkornsakul agreed to take a Bikram yoga class recommended by a friend.
Having no idea it was going to take place in a hot room, Benjaporn was surprised to find herself sweating profusely. As she said, it’s difficult for Asians to sweat, herself in particular, so this one time adventure was highly rewarding. So much so that she decided to enroll in Bikram’s training course and has now been practicing yoga for 25 years. This interest has brought her hometown, Bangkok, the first certified Bikram yoga facility, Absolute Yoga.
For Benjaporn, yoga is a serious workout without the dangers that tend to limit the range of other fitness programs. With running one usually tends to turn on a music channel and say, ?just give me five songs then I’m done.” Many people like yoga for the same reasons as Benjaporn: a 90 minute yoga workout entails a lot of stretching and focus ? you can’t look around or let your mind wander, you just do it and you’re done. 90 minutes have never gone by faster for me, nor have they been, when it comes to exercise, as mentally and physically rewarding.
So, what do they mean by asanas or poses?
Awkward Pose: What a suitable name. A seated, or better yet, squatting pose with knees bent and buttocks near the heels. To add difficulty, all this is done on the balls of your feet with arms held straight out in front. By the second repetition my thighs and upper arm muscles felt hotter than the room.
Toe Stand Pose: It looks more awkward than the awkward pose. This time squatting on the ball of one foot, the other leg rests on top of the thigh. Arms are in a prayer position, which is a good idea, because by this point I was praying to hold this pose as my muscles struggled to balance my body weight.
Camel Pose: Another one on my list to master, it’s almost like an inverted Bow Pose. Perched on the lower legs and bent over backward in order to place your head between your ankles, the lower back gets a further workout.
Bow Pose: Not even a locust could reach this state. Ideally the Full Locust Pose is taken to its ultimate limits. Upper body and arms reach up to meet raised legs behind you. Absolutely impossible for me at the time, but like yoga tends to be for most people, I’m destined to come back for more.
Full Locust Pose: The locust in flight. Now the upper body should be lifted with arms spread up and back, but that wasn’t about to happen for me. There was no way my ribs were going to get off the floor. Clearly my upper back and shoulder muscles are really out-of-shape.
Locust Pose: Named after an Oriental straight-winged grasshopper with legs and thighs so powerful that it can leap to heights two hundred times the length of its body. In this pose, one lays face down with arms to the side. The legs are lifted up, similar to a grasshopper, providing an intense workout of the buttocks, lower back, and back of the thighs.
Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul, the Managing Director, founder and owner of Absolute Yoga Bangkok (http://www.absoluteyogabangkok.com) has trained to become the first bikram hot yoga teacher in Bangkok. After the first year, Absolute Yoga Bangkok branched out to offer other traditions of yoga and opened more locations to distinguish ourselves as Bangkok’s dedicated yoga place. Our future plans are to continue to expand both in locations and in what is most beneficial to the practioners of Thailand.
I Must Thank Yoga if I Ever Do Win a Grammy
Voice lessons aside, one other thing that helps with singing or public speaking will be a feeling of looseness and flexibility in the throat. While some may rely on ?Hot tea, lemon and honey? to achieve this, there are actually some yoga poses that help ?loosen? the vocal cords and with practice actually increase the flexibility of the muscles in those areas.
Now, from personal research, a specific book titled ?Singing for the Stars? by Seth Riggs-(the vocal coach of the who-is-who of the Music Industry)-specifies that stretching to warm up not only the vocal cords but the whole body before doing vocal warm-ups are very helpful.
That considered, I specifically incorporated those poses that I know from sensation loosen the cervical region that of course contains the throat. (As an added bonus, some of these poses loosen other body parts that come in handy for my ?James Brown-Michael Jackson-Prince?-esque moves by the way?)
Now I will show you my choices and explain each one briefly.
1. The Sun Salutations.
This is more of a combination of poses, versus being an exclusive pose. Its ease and versatility comes in handy for warming up the entire body and increasing the blood flow. Moreover, with the deep breathing associated (and the corrective effect it does have on breathing in general), this unique collage of indeed very simple movements will come in handy for just about warming up to do anything.
2. The Wheel Pose:
This is a backward bending pose that owing to its execution stretches the entire body immensely. When properly executed, one?s head will be turned upside down which consequently stretches the throat and increases the blood flow to the head. When, I?m doing mid to up-tempo numbers, I love executing the wheel pose to sort of get the adrenalin pumped up and I also add the spinal twists (it?s counter pose so to speak) for an even more balanced stretch that it may offer.
3. The Lion Pose:
Think ?Scary Movie 1? here for a minute, remember when Marlon Wayans yells ?whazup? and stretches out his tongue? Well, this pose has a similar concept in execution. Moreover, I actually read that taking its name into consideration, it is often a pose recommended for overcoming shyness, as some Yogic texts claim in executing a pose, you take up the characteristic of the object or creature it is named after. Since this is the Lion Pose, it is believed that boldness and confidence is increased. For now, let?s just stick to the immense stretching of the throat that it offers.
4. The Shoulder-Stand Sequence:
Well, this sequence includes a pose known in Yoga as Savagasana (meaning it affects all body parts). It is a simple inversion pose and when executed with its counter poses: The Bridge and the Fish Poses, they adequately loosen up the whole body. If my performance or session is in the earlier parts of the day, I may simply execute just this sequence alone (with the previously mentioned sun salutations) and be fine. The fish pose especially loosens up the chest and is often recommended for respiratory disorders such as Asthma and Bronchitis.
5. The Relaxation Pose:
The name says it all. After a session or performance, it is always best to cool down the vocal muscles as this comes in handy for extensive daily use. Perhaps no other pose comes close to relaxing not only the vocal cords but the whole body like the Relaxation Pose yoga has to offer. This simple relaxation technique is something I have incorporated into my list of essentials as a vocalist and will come in handy for interested parties as well.
In addition to these poses and since singing involves a great degree of breath control, the Breathing Exercises (aka pranayama) belonging to Yoga come in very handy, as well as do some Yogic Cleaning techniques for the body such as nasal, throat and tongue cleansing?but that?s another topic altogether.
Moreover, a yogic diet -which is akin to the Mucus-free diet of the drug-free fraternity/lifestyle-helps to ensure excess mucus within is curbed and of course fasting-an advocated practice of Yoga-augments this even more. In fact this last factor is secretly why I hardly ever run out of breath while performing folks.
Perhaps if I ever end up winning a Grammy someday (hey, you never know?), I?ll be able to get up at the podium and acknowledge Yoga much more for helping me sing better, but for now, if your trade, passion or hobby demands an intense use of your vocal cords, you can surely benefit a lot from adding a little bit of yoga to making them work a lot better.
Foras Aje is an independent health researcher and founder of Bodyhealthsoul.com For more Yoga tips and information on Yoga for beginners stop by his website today.
Now, from personal research, a specific book titled ?Singing for the Stars? by Seth Riggs-(the vocal coach of the who-is-who of the Music Industry)-specifies that stretching to warm up not only the vocal cords but the whole body before doing vocal warm-ups are very helpful.
That considered, I specifically incorporated those poses that I know from sensation loosen the cervical region that of course contains the throat. (As an added bonus, some of these poses loosen other body parts that come in handy for my ?James Brown-Michael Jackson-Prince?-esque moves by the way?)
Now I will show you my choices and explain each one briefly.
1. The Sun Salutations.
This is more of a combination of poses, versus being an exclusive pose. Its ease and versatility comes in handy for warming up the entire body and increasing the blood flow. Moreover, with the deep breathing associated (and the corrective effect it does have on breathing in general), this unique collage of indeed very simple movements will come in handy for just about warming up to do anything.
2. The Wheel Pose:
This is a backward bending pose that owing to its execution stretches the entire body immensely. When properly executed, one?s head will be turned upside down which consequently stretches the throat and increases the blood flow to the head. When, I?m doing mid to up-tempo numbers, I love executing the wheel pose to sort of get the adrenalin pumped up and I also add the spinal twists (it?s counter pose so to speak) for an even more balanced stretch that it may offer.
3. The Lion Pose:
Think ?Scary Movie 1? here for a minute, remember when Marlon Wayans yells ?whazup? and stretches out his tongue? Well, this pose has a similar concept in execution. Moreover, I actually read that taking its name into consideration, it is often a pose recommended for overcoming shyness, as some Yogic texts claim in executing a pose, you take up the characteristic of the object or creature it is named after. Since this is the Lion Pose, it is believed that boldness and confidence is increased. For now, let?s just stick to the immense stretching of the throat that it offers.
4. The Shoulder-Stand Sequence:
Well, this sequence includes a pose known in Yoga as Savagasana (meaning it affects all body parts). It is a simple inversion pose and when executed with its counter poses: The Bridge and the Fish Poses, they adequately loosen up the whole body. If my performance or session is in the earlier parts of the day, I may simply execute just this sequence alone (with the previously mentioned sun salutations) and be fine. The fish pose especially loosens up the chest and is often recommended for respiratory disorders such as Asthma and Bronchitis.
5. The Relaxation Pose:
The name says it all. After a session or performance, it is always best to cool down the vocal muscles as this comes in handy for extensive daily use. Perhaps no other pose comes close to relaxing not only the vocal cords but the whole body like the Relaxation Pose yoga has to offer. This simple relaxation technique is something I have incorporated into my list of essentials as a vocalist and will come in handy for interested parties as well.
In addition to these poses and since singing involves a great degree of breath control, the Breathing Exercises (aka pranayama) belonging to Yoga come in very handy, as well as do some Yogic Cleaning techniques for the body such as nasal, throat and tongue cleansing?but that?s another topic altogether.
Moreover, a yogic diet -which is akin to the Mucus-free diet of the drug-free fraternity/lifestyle-helps to ensure excess mucus within is curbed and of course fasting-an advocated practice of Yoga-augments this even more. In fact this last factor is secretly why I hardly ever run out of breath while performing folks.
Perhaps if I ever end up winning a Grammy someday (hey, you never know?), I?ll be able to get up at the podium and acknowledge Yoga much more for helping me sing better, but for now, if your trade, passion or hobby demands an intense use of your vocal cords, you can surely benefit a lot from adding a little bit of yoga to making them work a lot better.
Foras Aje is an independent health researcher and founder of Bodyhealthsoul.com For more Yoga tips and information on Yoga for beginners stop by his website today.
Yoga for Teenagers
Yoga should be studied with a well qualified professional teacher who understands both the philosophy and the practical health techniques of the science. In the case of teenagers it is an ideal time to learn many things that will help in the process of ‘growing up’ and maturing in a healthy, natural way - physically, emotionally and mentally.
Because Yoga has a universal approach which embraces moral and spiritual principles, it helps to strength the spiritual and religious principles which are inherent in each person who aims at excellence. Some people mistake the teaching as a religion in itself but this is not true. Its history goes back thousands of years and although it is allied to the Hindu faith and has been preserved in India, Yoga offers simply a way of life. There should be no misconception about this point. It is best of course to meet your teacher and discuss this with them as there are many teachers with different approaches and points of view. Most teachers in western society see the need to modify and adapt the traditional Indian practices to our modern lifestyle and this has helped Yoga to become very popular.
One of the first benefits students say is that after a class or two they begin to feel freer and less stressed and in the case of young people who are just beginning to understand the responsibilities that come with maturity, there are plenty of reasons why stress builds up. However, stress and nervous tension make matters worse, so the ability to relax is one of the first tonic effects when undergoing yoga training.
There are many pointers given by the teacher as to how to improve personal health. These tips will complement what you already know about physical fitness and can be applied to physical health and nutrition; exercises with breath control (the yogic way is different from average fitness programs); mastering body posture and the many dozens of yoga postures that are taken both for health reasons and as a means of developing control over the body; breathing exercises to increase vitality or to calm the mind; concentration to help the mind be efficient and meditation to allow the mind to relax and to listen to one’s soul or inner being.
Following the principle that when the body is still, we can better be aware of our feelings and that when the emotions are calm we think more clearly. It is therefor natural that when the mind is calm, we can experience our deeper intuitive nature of our soul intelligence and receive inspiration.
Apart from the obvious physical benefits that come from the more dynamic practices, teenagers generally find the practice of meditation as one of the most interesting. It can be particularly helpful when encouraged by the thought that each of us has the seed of every human potential latent within us, awaiting its culture and development. The ancient Vedic teachings say it in this way in the Upanishads….
“In this body, in this town of spirit, is a little house shaped like a lotus. And in this house, there is a little space. There is as much in this little space (within the heart) as there is in the whole world outside - sun, moon, lightning, stars….whatever is and whatever is not yet, everything is there”.
Students begin to feel they can draw upon their inner reserves rather than over- emphasizing the importance of external and material ambitions which can often seem limited enough by circumstances to cause frustration. Many find that they have exciting experiences when they sit quietly and attune themselves in this way.
One of the most helpful ideas the philosophy offers in addition, is that each person is unique and possesses some special qualities which can be cultivated to benefit others in some way in their lives, or given to the world as a whole. Each has to discover what those qualities and talents are and so the future provides ample opportunity for adventure both inwardly and outwardly. You can make your own future as you want.
Our native culture provides the basis of a pattern for living and a lifestyle which imbues all the best thoughts of previous generations and if the traditions are followed, much benefit is gained. But we are living in a particular time when global conditions indicate a breakdown in traditional values. This is having a negative affect upon almost every culture forcing each individual to make their own decisions about the values they wish to live by in their own life. This is made more difficult by the trends of popular thought and habit which tend to sweep the nations in great waves of influences which tend to be bad more than a power for good.
It takes individual character to withstand the negative influence of one’s peers and to act, think and feel for oneself. This can often mean an unfortunate distancing of a good person that occurs by the rebellious ‘popular set’ rejecting a boy or girl who is trying harder, or conforms and is not shy to speak up for the good values of society. But that is just an example of the power than groups of people can have when they band together. Equally of course, good people standing together have equal power, but for good.
Yoga, however, focuses upon the individual and self discipline. Everyone has the potential to control their own bodies, their own feelings, their own thoughts and their actions. It is all up to us and our choices. When confused, or stressed, you will learn how to practice relaxation, or to practice yogic exercises and postures, or to take deep breaths and special rhythms, or you may meditate - all these techniques can be used on occasion and you will feel after you have applied yourself, you will feel much better - as if your personality has been ‘ironed out…smooth’ and you will feel more vital and much happier.
Yoga encourages you to face your difficulties and fears and resolve them. If you haven’t a person to whom you feel free to talk out privately, one whom you trust completely, then you can always write out your thoughts in your special personal diary or communicate with your wiser soul self or with God in your prayers and meditations. Why not join a Yoga class today!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga
Because Yoga has a universal approach which embraces moral and spiritual principles, it helps to strength the spiritual and religious principles which are inherent in each person who aims at excellence. Some people mistake the teaching as a religion in itself but this is not true. Its history goes back thousands of years and although it is allied to the Hindu faith and has been preserved in India, Yoga offers simply a way of life. There should be no misconception about this point. It is best of course to meet your teacher and discuss this with them as there are many teachers with different approaches and points of view. Most teachers in western society see the need to modify and adapt the traditional Indian practices to our modern lifestyle and this has helped Yoga to become very popular.
One of the first benefits students say is that after a class or two they begin to feel freer and less stressed and in the case of young people who are just beginning to understand the responsibilities that come with maturity, there are plenty of reasons why stress builds up. However, stress and nervous tension make matters worse, so the ability to relax is one of the first tonic effects when undergoing yoga training.
There are many pointers given by the teacher as to how to improve personal health. These tips will complement what you already know about physical fitness and can be applied to physical health and nutrition; exercises with breath control (the yogic way is different from average fitness programs); mastering body posture and the many dozens of yoga postures that are taken both for health reasons and as a means of developing control over the body; breathing exercises to increase vitality or to calm the mind; concentration to help the mind be efficient and meditation to allow the mind to relax and to listen to one’s soul or inner being.
Following the principle that when the body is still, we can better be aware of our feelings and that when the emotions are calm we think more clearly. It is therefor natural that when the mind is calm, we can experience our deeper intuitive nature of our soul intelligence and receive inspiration.
Apart from the obvious physical benefits that come from the more dynamic practices, teenagers generally find the practice of meditation as one of the most interesting. It can be particularly helpful when encouraged by the thought that each of us has the seed of every human potential latent within us, awaiting its culture and development. The ancient Vedic teachings say it in this way in the Upanishads….
“In this body, in this town of spirit, is a little house shaped like a lotus. And in this house, there is a little space. There is as much in this little space (within the heart) as there is in the whole world outside - sun, moon, lightning, stars….whatever is and whatever is not yet, everything is there”.
Students begin to feel they can draw upon their inner reserves rather than over- emphasizing the importance of external and material ambitions which can often seem limited enough by circumstances to cause frustration. Many find that they have exciting experiences when they sit quietly and attune themselves in this way.
One of the most helpful ideas the philosophy offers in addition, is that each person is unique and possesses some special qualities which can be cultivated to benefit others in some way in their lives, or given to the world as a whole. Each has to discover what those qualities and talents are and so the future provides ample opportunity for adventure both inwardly and outwardly. You can make your own future as you want.
Our native culture provides the basis of a pattern for living and a lifestyle which imbues all the best thoughts of previous generations and if the traditions are followed, much benefit is gained. But we are living in a particular time when global conditions indicate a breakdown in traditional values. This is having a negative affect upon almost every culture forcing each individual to make their own decisions about the values they wish to live by in their own life. This is made more difficult by the trends of popular thought and habit which tend to sweep the nations in great waves of influences which tend to be bad more than a power for good.
It takes individual character to withstand the negative influence of one’s peers and to act, think and feel for oneself. This can often mean an unfortunate distancing of a good person that occurs by the rebellious ‘popular set’ rejecting a boy or girl who is trying harder, or conforms and is not shy to speak up for the good values of society. But that is just an example of the power than groups of people can have when they band together. Equally of course, good people standing together have equal power, but for good.
Yoga, however, focuses upon the individual and self discipline. Everyone has the potential to control their own bodies, their own feelings, their own thoughts and their actions. It is all up to us and our choices. When confused, or stressed, you will learn how to practice relaxation, or to practice yogic exercises and postures, or to take deep breaths and special rhythms, or you may meditate - all these techniques can be used on occasion and you will feel after you have applied yourself, you will feel much better - as if your personality has been ‘ironed out…smooth’ and you will feel more vital and much happier.
Yoga encourages you to face your difficulties and fears and resolve them. If you haven’t a person to whom you feel free to talk out privately, one whom you trust completely, then you can always write out your thoughts in your special personal diary or communicate with your wiser soul self or with God in your prayers and meditations. Why not join a Yoga class today!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga
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