Just in case I get sidetracked, Hatha Yoga is simply a way to get you physically in shape. Physical yoga is to a large extend an ancient system of self improvement for your body without the need for gadgets and complicated often dangerous equipment to get you into a healthy condition, physically as well as mentally.
Most yoga exercises can be performed on a flat surface,using a carpet or large beach towel, indoors or outdoors. Select a quiet, peaceful area, large enough to stretch your body and limbs in all directions.
Pick a number of do-able exercises or asanas and try as much as possible to allow about 20 minutes every day to this most useful and interesting activity.
Proper breathing is a somewhat more complicated matter. Start breathing in and out rhythmically, more complicated breathing modes should be carefully studied.
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Union with the true Self
The highest aim of yoga is the realization of the true Self. This leads to cosmic love, a the feeling of oneness with all, and the experience of pure being, unflawed knowledge and infinite bliss.
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Sole responsibility of the individual
In order to reach all this, yoga transfers the responsibility to each individual. Everybody is able to do something to improve his/her life. Yoga offers a vast variety of exercises and practices. Everybody has to decide how far he/she wants to go with yoga. Those who "just" want to relax and feel good are welcome and can achieve this with very little time and effort. Those who want to go farther, must work harder. Yoga is no magic pill but leads to the desired goal through patient, systematic practice.
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The Paths of Yoga
- Hatha Yoga contains the most well known practices of yoga: asanas, (yoga exercises), pranayama (breathing exercises) and deep relaxation. Hatha Yoga also contains advice for healthy living, including vegetarian nutrition.
- Kundalini Yoga, the yoga of energy, describes the astral body with its chakras (energy centers) and Nadis (energy channels). Kundalini Yoga offers exercises to purify the astral body, increase life-energy (Prana), harmonize and open the chakras. When we are prepared, the mighty Kundalini energy awakes. This may be combined with overwhelming extrasensory perceptions, a strong feeling of bliss, expansion of the consciousness and the unfolding of new capabilities.
- Raja Yoga explains how the human mind functions and how to control it. Raja Yoga exercises include affirmations, visualization, attentiveness, self observance and the various meditation techniques.
- Jnana Yoga, the Yoga of knowledge, is the philosophical approach. It asks questions like: Who am I? From where do I come? Where am I going? What's the meaning of life? What is real? What is happiness? In Jnana Yoga karma and reincarnation are explained and meditation practices are given to help the practitioner experience the truth intuitively within one self.
- Bhakti Yoga is the yoga of devotion.
- Karma Yoga, the yoga of action, teaches the understanding of destiny. Karma Yoga offers techniques to assist in making right decisions and living a divine life. Karma Yoga is selfless service; it helps one transcend the boundaries of the ego and experience a oneness with all beings.
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The Synthesis of Yoga
Yoga is an integral, all-embracing system. Most people find a combination of the different paths of yoga most powerful:
• Hatha Yoga develops the physical body
• Kundalini Yoga augments the energy body
• Bhakti Yoga sublimates the emotions
• Raja Yoga trains the mind
• Jnana Yoga enhances intellect and intuition
• Karma Yoga helps integrating everything into daily life.
Asanas –yoga exercisesAsanas are yoga exercises; certain positions are held for periods of time. Asanas gently develop muscle strength, flexibility and body awareness. They release blocked life energy (prana), activating inner healing power. Yoga asanas boost the body’s resistance to disease; they support and enhance the effects of other therapies.
Pranayama –breathing exercisesEverybody breathes approximately 25,920 times a day. In addition to oxygen, we also ingest prana, life energy. Because of stress, tension, wrong posture and bad habits most people breath too shallowly. Their systems do not get enough oxygen. Yoga helps. With special breathing exercises the life energy can be rebuilt. When regularly practice breathing exercises fear, depression, anxiety, stress and over-tiredness can be overcome.
Deep relaxationMost people experience a deep relaxation t the end of every yoga class. Relaxation is especially important to the modern person: stress is reduced, the immune system strengthened, healing processes supported, mental strength and calmness restored. Complete relaxation doesn't come by oneself but may be learned patiently and systematically.
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...this was suppopsed to be an educational video movie...