WhatIs Yoga

Roots Of Yoga

Yoga is a classical Indian discipline which promotes physical, mental and spiritual health. The basis of Yoga was compiled and systematized around the 3rd CE by the sage Patanjali in his treatise 'Yoga Sutras'. There are 196 sutras (aphorisms) that cover all aspects of life, beginning with a prescribed code of conduct and ending with humankind's vision of her/his true Self. According to Patanjali, "yogah citta vrtti nirodhah" -- Yoga is the cessation of movements in consciousness. With the restraint of the fluctuations of the mind, the soul is uncovered. When a persons mind, intellect and self are freed from restless desire, they rest in the spirit within, and the person becomes 'one' in communion with the Universal Spirit/God within/ Enlightenment.

This ancient science and philosophy of life is based on the belief that health, happiness, contentment and peace of mind come from within. Many different types of yoga practices have emerged over the years to help us open up to these inner qualities.

If the meaning of yoga is understood as the practice of nirodha (mental control), then its goal is "the unqualified state of niruddha (the perfection of that process)",[171]according to Baba Hari Dass. In that context, "yoga (union) implies duality (as in joining of two things or principles); the result of yoga is the nondual state", and "as the union of the lower self and higher Self. The nondual state is characterized by the absence of individuality; it can be described as eternal peace, pure love, Self-realization, or liberation."[172] Patanjali's writing also became the basis for a system referred to as "Ashtanga Yoga" ("Eight-Limbed Yoga"). This eight-limbed concept is derived from the 29th Sutra of the Book 2 of Yoga Sutras.
These 8 limbs include the Yamas (universal ethical principles), Niyamas (rules of personal conduct), Asana (practice of yoga postures), Pranayama (practice of yoga breathing), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption in the Infinite).

When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath.

Meditation

In Meditation I teach both active and passive meditation.
Active meditation: Active meditation is a movement that focuses on movements, activities of everyday life followed by silence. There are many types of active meditations such as: Dynamic meditation, Laughing meditation, Nataraj meditation(intuitive dance), Gibberish meditation, Born again meditation etc.
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Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a preparatory process of yoga. The word “ha” means sun, “ta” means moon. “Hatha” means the yoga to bring balance between the sun and the moon in you, or the Pingala and Ida in you. You can explore Hatha yoga in ways that take you beyond certain limitations, but fundamentally, it is a physically preparation - preparing the body for a higher possibilities. Tell me more...

Pranayama

"Pranayama is control of Breath". "Prana" is Breath or vital energy in the body. On subtle levels prana represents the pranic energy responsible for life or life force, and "ayama" means control. So Pranayama is "Control of Breath". One can control the rhythms of pranic energy with pranayama and achieve healthy body and mind. Tell me more...

Yoga Nidra

Yoga nidra (Sanskrit: योग निद्रा) or yogic sleep is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, like the "going-to-sleep" stage. It is a state in which the body is completely relaxed, and the practitioner becomes systematically and increasingly aware of the inner world by following a set of verbal instructions. Tell me more...