History of Yoga
Yoga has been practiced since ancient times. The Sanskrit word yoga has several translations and can be interpreted many ways. The yoga we are the most familier with , the practices and asanas is often called Hatha Yoga which is a powerful method of self transformation. In Sanskrit, Ha means 'sun' and tha means 'moon'. Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar identifies Hatha as 'force or determined forces'. Combining with the meaning of Yoga the word yoga means 'yoke', 'join' or to 'unite' we reach the overarching view that the practice of Hatha yoga is a joining and balancing of sun and moon energies in the body by determined efford in order to achieve union or communion. A male who practices this disclipline is called a yogi or yogin; a female practitioner, a yogini.
Yoga comes out of an oral tradition in which the teaching was transmitted directly from teacher to student. The Indian scholar Patanjali put this oral tradition to his classical work and wrote the most famous yogic texts that are called Yoga Sutras, 2000 years old treature of yogic philosophy. A collection of 195 statements , the sutra provides a kind of a philosophical guidebook for dealing with challenges of being human.
He provided a guidance on how to gain mastery over the mind and emotions and advice on spiritual growth , the Yoga Sura provide framework which all yoga practices based today. According to Patanjali , there are eight Limbed path that yoga student should follow.
1. Yama (abstinence)
2.Niyama (observance)
3.Asana (posture)
4.Pranayama (breath control)
5.Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
6.Dhatana (concentration)
7.Dhyana (meditation)
8.Samadhi (contemplation, absorption or superconcious state)
Initially, disipline of Hatha yoga- the physical aspect of yoga- developed as a vehicle for meditation. the repertoire of hatha yoga prepared the body and particularly the nervous system, for stillness and also necessary physical strengh for and stamina for the body that allows to sit long hour during meditation and allowed to mind to remain calm.
Yoga comes out of an oral tradition in which the teaching was transmitted directly from teacher to student. The Indian scholar Patanjali put this oral tradition to his classical work and wrote the most famous yogic texts that are called Yoga Sutras, 2000 years old treature of yogic philosophy. A collection of 195 statements , the sutra provides a kind of a philosophical guidebook for dealing with challenges of being human.
He provided a guidance on how to gain mastery over the mind and emotions and advice on spiritual growth , the Yoga Sura provide framework which all yoga practices based today. According to Patanjali , there are eight Limbed path that yoga student should follow.
1. Yama (abstinence)
2.Niyama (observance)
3.Asana (posture)
4.Pranayama (breath control)
5.Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
6.Dhatana (concentration)
7.Dhyana (meditation)
8.Samadhi (contemplation, absorption or superconcious state)
Initially, disipline of Hatha yoga- the physical aspect of yoga- developed as a vehicle for meditation. the repertoire of hatha yoga prepared the body and particularly the nervous system, for stillness and also necessary physical strengh for and stamina for the body that allows to sit long hour during meditation and allowed to mind to remain calm.
BreathingYoga breathing is equal with our life. Breathing is so natural and automatic that most of the time , we dont even notice our breathing unless if we get excited or restricted for some way. Life enters with first inhalation and leaves with our final exhilation. Yoga breath is called pranayama as 'breath control'.
There are different types of breathing techniques. Full yogic breathing is the same as in Pilates practice. As you inhale , you tone the lower abdomen muscles so that your torso expand to the side with your breath rather than having your belly rise. On exhalation you keep your ribs expanded ( as if you are inhailing) DristiA dristi is a gaze or a point of focus. Most yoga practices you will hear instructor saying your dristi is on somewhere a point on the body or external objects. It help you to direct your focus while you practice. Dristies are actually intend to direct your 'inner' focus more than your physical sight even though the directions may be to fix your gaze such as the floor, your thumb, your nose or your navel. It helps you practice yoga without being distracted by your surroundings.
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BandhasThe bandhas are the three primary energy gates or locks in the body that regulate the flow of psycosomatic energy. The In Sanskrit word bandha means to 'hold', 'tighten' or 'lock'.
The bandhas are the three primary energy locks in the body. The Sankskrit word bandha means to ‘hold’, ‘tighten’ or ‘lock’. A bandha is practiced by contracting and tightening certain areas in the body, thereby locking the energy inside. The ultimate purpose of locking the energy, or prana, inside the body is to awaken our kundalini or spiritual energy at the base of the spine in the process of divine awakening. While bandhas are considered to be practices in and of themselves, they can also be practiced in conjunction with asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques) to enhance the benefits of these practices. AsanasAsana is the physical practice of yoga poses. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines "asana" as "to be seated in a position that is firm, but relaxed". During your yoga practice, you will learn how to cultivate stability and ease in each asana.
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