Modern Yoga is often regarded as posture exercise. We should also realize that traditional Yoga isa process of cultivating our body, mind and spirit to understand and experience our inner spiritual nature, and let our Self resonate with the Divine.
Yoga is not a religion, but a spiritual practice and a science of Self-realization. It was developed more than 5,000 years ago in the land of Bhārata (India). The word Yoga means “yoke, to unite, to link, to connect, integrate with”. There are three layers to understanding Yoga:
Bhagavad-gītā was compiled by Ved Vyasa, around 500-200 BCE. It presents the philosophy of Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Dhyāna Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, teaching how to live spiritually while continuing to perform personal duties. Karma Yoga is Self-realization through conscious action. Jñāna Yoga teaches us how to acquire and study spiritual knowledge, to understand Self, our own identity; Sāṅkhya Yoga is a medium towards higher consciousness; Bhakti Yoga lead us to obtain Absolute Truth, fostering love of the Divine.
Yoga Sūtras was compiled by Patañjali around 400 CE. The “eight limb yoga” (Ashtanga Yoga) that is explained in Yoga Sūtras is the foundation for the Yoga we are practicing today. Through the practice of moral injunctions, fixed observances, postures, regulation of breath (yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma), body and energy are purified and controlled; through meditation (prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi), our mind is able to concentrate.
Of course, for most people, posture (āsana) is the best way to start, known as Hatha Yoga. “Ha” means sun and “ṭha” means moon. Hatha Yoga is a form of Yoga which uses āsanas and prāṇāyāma and other techniques to bring opposing qualities into harmony, so we know how to control body and energy. Āsana originally means sitting down, to sit down; now it is known as postures. The aim of āsana practice is to improve body flexibility and strength, balance and vitality, so we have the ability to be in a seated meditation for extended periods. Prāṇa means life force, vital energy, Ayāma means extend, lengthen. Prāṇāyāma originally means to extend the life force, now known as regulation of breath. “Haṭha” also means violence or force, as āsanaand prāṇāyāma require a lot of physical effort.
Hatha yoga focuses on purification of the body as a path that leads to purification of the mind. When body, mind and energy are in balance, pure consciousness will be awakened, and one is able to resonate with the Divine which is always blissful and fresh. The practice is rooted in our body.
Hatha yoga focuses on purification of the body as a path that leads to purification of the mind. When body, mind and energy are in balance, pure consciousness will be awakened, and one is able to resonate with the Divine which is always blissful and fresh. The practice is rooted in our body.
Always keep in mind that Yoga practice is not just posture exercise, it has its profound philosophy. Body posture exercise is limited, but Self-realization has no limits. Yoga practice is a life long process. When we do Yoga with the fundamental principles, we are doing Yoga.
Welcome to join Rupa Manjari Devi Dasi’s meditation and Yoga classes at WishingtreeYoga Centre. Rupa has been practicing Yoga and meditation since 1996 in China. HerChinese background and training gives her a natural understanding of this ancienteastern wisdom. Her living, studying and teaching in Canada has provided her theopportunity to develop the practice in a modern western way. It’s about SELF.For more information, visit www.wishingtreeyoga.ca
Yoga is not a religion, but a spiritual practice and a science of Self-realization. It was developed more than 5,000 years ago in the land of Bhārata (India). The word Yoga means “yoke, to unite, to link, to connect, integrate with”. There are three layers to understanding Yoga:
- “to yoke”, means to control the senses
- “union”, concentrate on the Divine so our own Self links to the Divine
- “to be yoked”, to integrate with the Divine and allow Supreme consciousness to guide our activities
Bhagavad-gītā was compiled by Ved Vyasa, around 500-200 BCE. It presents the philosophy of Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Dhyāna Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, teaching how to live spiritually while continuing to perform personal duties. Karma Yoga is Self-realization through conscious action. Jñāna Yoga teaches us how to acquire and study spiritual knowledge, to understand Self, our own identity; Sāṅkhya Yoga is a medium towards higher consciousness; Bhakti Yoga lead us to obtain Absolute Truth, fostering love of the Divine.
Yoga Sūtras was compiled by Patañjali around 400 CE. The “eight limb yoga” (Ashtanga Yoga) that is explained in Yoga Sūtras is the foundation for the Yoga we are practicing today. Through the practice of moral injunctions, fixed observances, postures, regulation of breath (yama, niyama, āsana, prāṇāyāma), body and energy are purified and controlled; through meditation (prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi), our mind is able to concentrate.
Of course, for most people, posture (āsana) is the best way to start, known as Hatha Yoga. “Ha” means sun and “ṭha” means moon. Hatha Yoga is a form of Yoga which uses āsanas and prāṇāyāma and other techniques to bring opposing qualities into harmony, so we know how to control body and energy. Āsana originally means sitting down, to sit down; now it is known as postures. The aim of āsana practice is to improve body flexibility and strength, balance and vitality, so we have the ability to be in a seated meditation for extended periods. Prāṇa means life force, vital energy, Ayāma means extend, lengthen. Prāṇāyāma originally means to extend the life force, now known as regulation of breath. “Haṭha” also means violence or force, as āsanaand prāṇāyāma require a lot of physical effort.
Hatha yoga focuses on purification of the body as a path that leads to purification of the mind. When body, mind and energy are in balance, pure consciousness will be awakened, and one is able to resonate with the Divine which is always blissful and fresh. The practice is rooted in our body.
Hatha yoga focuses on purification of the body as a path that leads to purification of the mind. When body, mind and energy are in balance, pure consciousness will be awakened, and one is able to resonate with the Divine which is always blissful and fresh. The practice is rooted in our body.
Always keep in mind that Yoga practice is not just posture exercise, it has its profound philosophy. Body posture exercise is limited, but Self-realization has no limits. Yoga practice is a life long process. When we do Yoga with the fundamental principles, we are doing Yoga.
Welcome to join Rupa Manjari Devi Dasi’s meditation and Yoga classes at WishingtreeYoga Centre. Rupa has been practicing Yoga and meditation since 1996 in China. HerChinese background and training gives her a natural understanding of this ancienteastern wisdom. Her living, studying and teaching in Canada has provided her theopportunity to develop the practice in a modern western way. It’s about SELF.For more information, visit www.wishingtreeyoga.ca
