What is Yoga ?
Yoga
is a tradition that was termed after centuries
of practice by various teachers, lineages and practitioners. Certain living
principles were found to enhance
the journey of personal growth. The word Yoga has
often been confused as a religious tradition. Yoga
is not a religion. It is a term for a conscious lifestyle.
Yoga in Sanskrit means “yuj” or
to “unite“, or to draw together the fragments of
your mind to realize a larger indwelling of consciousness.
The
tree of yoga has four main branches: bhakti, karma, jnana and hatha. These
four pathways help to distinguish the practice which will best suit individual dispositions. Every
individual has a certain way that they learn and grow the best. Finding the teaching method that aligns
with your innate sensibility is the important key. It is like finding an inner code that automatically
unlocks a “YES!” within you. This is the song of your innermost heart! You are invited to go where your whole Being
feels inspired then-- Live the Truth of your heart!
Before we go into more detail about the description of the four pathways above, it is important to know that there are many names for certain practices under the umbrella term of Yoga. Other names you may encounter include words like laya yoga, mantra yoga, tantra yoga, and raja or kriya yoga. These are practices that wish to explore and focus on the more esoteric qualities of yoga as an awareness practice. The terms above describe explorations that deal with dissolving the ego into the infinite, repeating sound syllables that resonate with divine vibration in the mind of the aspirant, seeking union between opposites while utilizing the senses, and finally ascending the spinal energy upwards in the body by controlling one's lifeforce. These practices, to name just a few, are ultimately deeper layers of the foundation created by the four main branches.
Bhakti
yoga celebrates the love between the Divine and man. Bhakta, or love, is cultivated through the discipline of prayer and devotion. Bhaktis, fall
in love with god through chant, song, dance and poetry. Their
ideal is to cultivate unconditional love towards self,
others, the planet and the Divine through their faith and enthusiasm
for life. Their path
is one which emphasizes celebration, gratitude and Oneness. Examples
of this practice in the community include the chanting of Krishna devotees in downtown streets, Baptist singing,
prayer circles, Sufi dance, and the wonderful poetry created by great writers like Rumi, etc.
Jnana
yoga emphasizes the path of the scholar and thinker. They
use their minds and intellect to cultivate right-ness of thought
and understanding with the Divine. Often
they study ancient texts, philosophize, debate, and try to realize
the laws of the universal through self inquiry. The art of jnana is to develop discrimination and wisdom through the acruement of knowledge. Examples
which utitlize jnana yoga include studying sanskrit, zen koan practice, exploring discourses by great thinkers
like Stephen Hawkins, Ken Wilber, or the inquiry practices of Ramana
Marahirsi.
Karma
yoga, or the "path of good actions", emphasizes a dedication to selfless service and charity
to purify one’s
ego and to realize the divine in all aspects of life. Individuals
practicing this path are generally found participating in humanitarian and non-profit
work for the upliftment of the planet and its inhabitants. Examples of karma yoga include the work of
saints, various religious leaders, philanthropists
and those who humbly lead a life of sacrifice in service to others without desiring acknowledgment for that work.
Hatha
yoga is a part of the yogic tradition that emphasizes asanas,
pranayama and meditation to develop a living experience of union with your
body, mind and spirit. All hatha yoga practice is based on an “eight-limbed” system which is comprised of fundamental principles
which set the framework for a conscious lifestyle. These are called yamas and niyamas. For sake of not overwhelming the reader, we will not explain those here.
Now, under the term "hatha" yoga, there are many styles which include names like Kundalini,
Restorative, Iyengar, Astanga, Integral, etc.. Don’t
be confused! These names are simply a way to recognize the historical lineage of practitioners involved in that specific training style. This is similar to the naming of different martial arts techniques. However, ALL of them have the same under-lying premise! Whatever form you practice should still have
the universal sentiment: To reveal the greatness of the
Divine within and to bring it more fully into its unlimited potential
in you! Ultimately, the entire purpose of hatha yoga is to calm your body so that it is no longer a distraction to your mind and in that calmness, be able to meditate. In meditation you will cultivate your own relationship to the Divine.
There
is extensive research now available citing the physical and mental
benefits of a daily yoga practice. In beginning your own practice, you
will reap the benefits of a healthier body, balanced emotions, a clear, stress
free mind and a new sense of connection to the life within and around you. Greater
qualities like focus, purification, patience, compassion and
bliss are also possible states of being. This journey is about helping
you dive deeper into the fullness of your potential. The more
attention you give this part of your life, the more profound the connection you
will have to life and all of its possibilities.
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