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| YOGA |
 Yoga
is an ancient spiritual practice bearing its origins in India.
The word Yoga derives from the Sanscrit root yuj (to yoke).
It is translated as union
of the Atma (individual soul) with the Paramatma, (universal
soul) Yoga is an integral system
and asana is one of the elementary components of the system.
It is said there are around 8.400.000 positions but now there
are only 700 in practice.
Karma yoga, Bhakti
Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga are considered the four main
Yogas, but there are many other types.
Yoga is not a religion though it is central in Hinduism and
that consideres to be a path to attain enlightenment.
The earliest
written accounts of Yoga appear in the Rig Veda, which
began to be codified between 1500 and 1200 BC. Important Hindu
texts establishing the basis of Yoga include the Upanishads,
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bagavadgita and
Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
In essence, one
who performs Yoga may loosely be referred to as a Yogi or
in Sanskrit as Yogin for male and Yogini for female. These
designations are actually intended for advanced practitioners
who have reached a certain spiritual level.
Other types of
Yoga have been developed by authorities on Yoga.
A very important inspiration has been Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya
(1888-1989).
His most famous students, who are known all over the world
and are still spreading the essence of Yoga, are K.Pattabhi
Jois in Mysore , B.K.S. Iyenagar in Pune and T.K.V.
Desikachar (Krishnamacharya's son) in Chennai.
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Krishnamacharya
was not only a yoga instructor, he was also considered a physician
of Ayurvedic medicine and possessed enormous knowledge of nutrition,
herbal medicine, the use of oils, and other remedies.
He believed Yoga to be India 's greatest gift to the world.
In 1924 Krishnamacharya returned to Southern India to study
Ayurveda, the traditional medical practice of India , as well
as Nyaya, a Vedic school of logic.
Once the Maharaja of Mysore, who was ill and was not recovering
in spite of trying all kinds of medicines, heard of a Yogin
who was in town and immediately summoned him.
Krishnamacharya with his skills and knowledge was able to cure
him. |
| THE BIRTH
OF ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA
From that point on, the Maharaja became
an even more strong believer in the powers of Yoga:
Krishnamacharya was hired to teach the royal family
and given the wing of a nearby palace to start the Yogashala
or yoga school on the Palace groundswhere he taught until
1955.
Because many of his students at this point in his life were
active boys he developed a vigorous style of yoga aimed at
building strength and stamina that is known today as the popular
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. The Yogin lived in Mysore for
the next 20 years and nurtured many legendary yogis before
he moved to Madras.
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THE PRACTICE
OF ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA:
MOVING AND BREATHING INTO STILLNESS
The practice consists in a series of body
postures (asanas), executed always in the same order, combined
with a specific type of breathing (ujjay breath).
Vinyasa is unity of movement and breath, it develops
a sense of unity of mind and body, generates body heat by
raising the circulatory system with consequent perspiration.
This purifies the body, makes the muscles flexible, allowing
students to practice more advanced asanas reducing the risk
of injuries.
On a physical level a regular practice purifies and tones
up the body; on a mental level it enhances self confidence
and stability, bare necessities to reach elevation of the
spirit.
The term Ashtanga means "eight
limbs" and refers to the eight limbs of yoga.
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THE EIGHT
LIMBS OF YOGA:
1.Yama: 5 Abstensions: no violence
(Ahimsa), no lying (Satya), no theft (Asteya), sex & possession
limitations (Brahmacharya and Aparigraha)*.
2.Niyama: 5 Observances: purity (Shauca), contentment
(Santosha), austerity (Tapas), study of the Self (Svadhyaya)
and surrendering to God (Ishvarapranidhana).
3.Asana: Body postures.
4.Pranayama: Control of prana, or vital breath.
5.Pratyahara: Abstraction.
6.Dharana: Concentration.
7.Dhyana: Meditation.
8.Samadhi: Enlightment.
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| *Originally
Yoga was a secret discipline, practiced in the ashrams by monks,
observing brahmacharya (chastity). Now a days Yoga is practiced
not only by monks and illumination can and has been reached
also by 'family' people. |
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