Yoga

Yoga is severing the connection with that which causes suffering, Yoga should be practiced with insight and an unperturbed heart.

Bhagavad Gita VI. 23

The word yoga literally means, joining, and the most important purpose of the practice of yoga is to reunite the individual Self with the Absolute or pure consciousness or Brahman. This union liberates the spirit from all sense of separation and frees it from the illusion of time, space and causation, and allows us to discriminate from what is real and unreal, and helps us realize our true nature. The physical rejuvenation we get from doing yoga is just a pleasant side effect. This classical system was compiled by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras and covers an entire range of yogic practices from asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), to mantra (active meditation) as well as other forms of meditation. Yoga and Ayurveda are sister systems dealing with all aspects of our nature from body to soul, and all the various healing methods from food to meditation

Raja Yoga, as it is called, has an eightfold approach called the eight limbs of yoga. These eight limbs are utilized to control the mind and develop consciousness. The eight limbs of yoga are:

v     Yama - Rules of social Conduct

v     Niyama - Rules of Personal behavior

v     Asana - Physical Postures

v     Pranayama - Control of the breath, the Vital Force

v     Pratyahara - Control of the Senses

v     Dharana - Right Attention or Control of the Mind

v     Dyana - Meditation

v     Samadhi - Absorption

In yoga there is no insistence to follow one path or another. Instead, we are encouraged to follow the path that most appeals to our heart. Paths and styles are many, as there are people. Other paths of yoga are:

Jnana Yoga - Yoga of Knowledge

Bhakti Yoga, Yoga of Devotion

Kriya Yoga - including Hatha Yoga - Yoga of Techinque

Karma Yoga - Yoga of Service

Raja Yoga - Combination of all four, Integral Yoga

Here we will combine Ayurveda with yoga and offer both asana and various meditations for various kinds of imbalances. We ask our visitors to give us feedback on different types of imbalances you would like to work on. In this yoga/meditation room we will feature a different type of yoga posture or meditation each month. For those interested in sound therapy or mantra, please be sure to visit our mantra room.

Mantras

Remember that no two bodies are alike. Some are more flexible than others so start off slow and easy. Make sure you warm up with some gentle stetches before doing a particular set of yoga postures. Use a mat to do them on. Make sure you listen to your body. Yoga should accomodate your body, mind and soul. In case of any physical ailment, injury or discomfort, be sure to consult your health care practitioner.

Let's begin with some simple warm up stetches:

Paschimottasana

Forward Bend

Sit in a sitting position, legs outstreched

Both feet touching each other

Raise arms straight up above head while inhaling

slowly bend forward while exhaling touching

feet and anxles but don't force it

Repeat a few times

Pavamukhtasana

Alternate Knee Bend

Lie on your back, legs extended

bend right knee, clasp it with your hands

gently guide knee to thigh and abdomen

hold without straining

breathe deeply and rest lower back

hold breath 5-10 seconds and repeat on left side

Bharadvajasana

Spinal Twist

Sit partly off your heels to the left

place left hand on floor a little behing left hip

place right hand on outside of your thigh

inhale, lengthen spine, exhale, and slowly twist to the left

repeat action to the right side

Bidalasana

Cat Pose

Get on your hands and knees

Exhaling, contract abdominal muscles & tuck the pelvis

round the spine, arching the back upwards

inhaling, release the abdominal muscles

lift the head and arch the spine down

repeat 5 times

Surya Namaskar

Sun Salutation

We will re-visit this sequence at a later date.

Additionally, here are some asanas for stress and relaxation. We live in an active environment and therefore need to make sure we wind down from our busy lives on a daily basis.

Savasana

Corpse Pose

This pose allows you to relax completely. It quiets the mind, balances the nervous system and erases strain on the heart by placing the body on the same level. This pose is especially good for lowering the blood pressure. This is a good pose when just getting home and out of traffic.

Lie flat on your back

Keep legs about a foot apart

Keep arms 6-8 in. from sides - palms up

Close your eyes

Breathe deeply

Relax for 5 to 10 minutes

Balasana

Child's Pose

This pose relieves lower back tension and gently stretches the spine. It quiets the mind, massages the abdominal organs and promotes a sense of security and nurturing.

Kneel with legs slightly apart

Bend from the hips, folding addomen to thighs

Lower forehead to floor

Rest arms alongside body, palms up

Breathe deeply and relax

Raise upper body and return to a seated position

Repeat a few times

Here are 3 asanas and you can choose which fits better for you: Fig. 1 Padmasana "lotus pose, fig. 2 Swastikasana the "auspicious pose", or fig. 3 Sukhasana, meaning "easy pose". The easy pose ia basically a meditative asana like the other two asanas and beneficial for those beginning with the practice of yoga and meditation "Sukha" means "easy" in sanskrit. This pose can be done with your back up against the wall and/or sitting on a blanket or mat. Sukhasana enhances concentration of mind and stimulates the respiratory and digestive system. It relaxes the body and mind after difficult undertakings. Start with 5 minutes of this sitting pose and gradually increase time. Caution: Do not attempt this pose if there is knee or hip inflammation or injury.

Sit comfortably and cross your legs

Spine erect, head straight

Cross whichever leg that feels natural

Hands rest on knees, palms up or down

Close your eyes and breathe naturally

Easy Pose