Yoga Posturas » Types Of Yoga » So Why Yoga?
So Why Yoga?
Question:
Thank you very much Ma’am Samantha you provide nice definition for the different systems of Brahman-Atman Yoga The Niyamas: Shaucha (purity of body and mind), Santosha (contentment in all circumstances), Tapas (austerity), Swadhaya (constructive self-analysis), and Ishwara-Pranidhana/guru-sevana (devotion to God and guru)
Why is guru-sevana added? I believe seva means unselfish service or something. Basically you are right of course only I wonder why you did not leave it with Ishvara pranidhana – surrender to The Highest (God or (Sat(guru) does not matter)? Asana also means "posture comfortably held". Done properly Sirshasana (transverse posture/headstand), Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), and Paschimothanasana (forward bend) coupled with pranayam and short meditation when practiced a few times each day especially by "busy people" gives peace of mind, massages the glands, provides a nice workout, and relieve stress.
Asan(a), to reac Aas, non moving. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Pranayama means "life-force control or breath regulation" (a neophyte on the practice of pranayam at first inhales only oxygen and other gases but as he grows [progress] on the process there will come a time when he is already inhaling, circulating, and exhaling pure prana. Simple pranayam procedure is to inhale through the nose for 20 seconds, hold the breath for 20 seconds, and exhale through the mouth for another 20 seconds. This constitutes a cycle one can do 6 to 12 cycles of this, tense and relax the muscles a few times and go to deep contemplation. Pratyahara means the withdrawal of the senses from their objects. This is why aakama (desirelessness) is an important virtue to acquire. Dharana refers to the process of holding the mind to one thought like a mantra (lit. "that which takes away anxiety" usually Sanskrit power words") or a tranquil scene (visualization) or the darshan of the Sat-guru. Dhayana (meditation) resulting to Samadhi absorption or perfect oneness (Brahman-Atman) the goal of Yoga.
? I thought it is liberation 
Of course there are different levels of Samadhi here I am referring to nirvikalpa/soruba samadhi.
Why mention only this one? What about Nirvicara/savicara Nirananda Asmita Samadhi (to mention a few)? I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share these things to you. The primary message of Yoga is love. AUM TAT SAT!
Yes! And as always that poses questions… Thanks for sharing in Love – Namaste
Response:
To all, Why did you start practising yoga and how do you feel you have benefitted by it. Have your views on the subject changed over time?
Hello Samantha! So nice to read your mail. To answer your question. Yes. I started doing (Hatha) yoga in 1968. By then there was not much choice like today. I felt it is good all the exercises, and I too found I became more supple. I had a feeling there was more to it than could be found here, and it is not reality what was being sold in the shops and boutiques but commercial (yes, then already). So on first opportunity I left for India to find out for myself. This changed a lot for me. Many years later only I became more interested in Yoga again, because asa i was not too much involved for about 10 years, the effects of 3 years of yoga rubbed off and it did’nt become less as the years passed. I have read a lot about the backgrounds, but only after I started to practice again, together with studying the subjects, I became able to integrate it in my life. Now I still practice Yogasana’s, but the main issue is meditation now. PAtanjali has described this very accuratly in his Sutra’s. Yes, my yoga has changed, so to speak ‘from the head more towards the heart.’ Especially since I have finished this really great teachers course I became really enthusiastic about it. Yoga is SO great! It’s main POWER is Love. That you have seen and experienced (I believe) very well! Sometimes when I read this newsgroup and hear anger distrust and bikering, I feel bad, but then something rises inside of me, it is love. No matter what you may be, what you do evil or good, I still love you all and this brings tears of joy to my eyes. When I let myself be happy I am estatic, it floods through my veins.
This is Meditation and even Samadhi you experienced, no doubt! A correct description of Ananda Samadhi! This fills me with joy too I am so glad I decided to get in touch with myself, before it was too late.
It is never too late! This is my life, this is yoga.
And mine, I believe… Love everything and in doing so you love thyself. Right! )) Samantha.
Love to you all – Namaste – Paul.
Response:
why yoga? Shaktipat! Thank God! Love, Garuda
Response:
To Inflight, In response to your question about yoga I was referrring to all types of yoga, not just hatha, which is union by bodily control using asanas kryias pranyamas and bandhas, but also by: Jnana, union of knowledge, Bhakti, union by love, and devotion, Karma, union by service, Mantra, union by speech meaning recitation of sacred syllables or mantras, Raja, union by mental control meaning mastery of the mind and senses. Plus the eight limbs of yoga: Yama, Niyama Asana Pranayama Dharana Dyana Pratyahara Samadhi So in my reference to yoga I include all various syles of yoga groups, including, Iyengar, Bikram, Viniyoga, Kundalini, Bhuddist, Tantra, aqua, Kripalu, Sivanada, Ananda, Integral, Sahaja; to name a few, etc etc. When I say yoga I also mean the yoga of a woman feeding her family before she sits down to feed herself. I could go on and on here giving examples trying not to leave everyone out. But I will leave it here. So I hope this answers your question about yoga. Love Samantha. That’s nice Samantha! You have studying your Hinduism. (I like the new name Inflight
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That’s nice Samantha, but what do you mean by "yoga?" Are you speaking about only Hatha Yoga? Of course, there are several progressive yogic spiritual disciplines that make up the religion of Hinduism. They are truly wonderful and profound.
Response:
That’s nice Samantha, but what do you mean by "yoga?" Are you speaking about only Hatha Yoga? Of course, there are several progressive yogic spiritual disciplines that make up the religion of Hinduism. They are truly wonderful and profound. To Inflight, In response to your question about yoga I was referrring to all types of yoga, not just hatha, which is union by bodily control using asanas kryias pranyamas and bandhas, but also by: Jnana, union of knowledge, Bhakti, union by love, and devotion, Karma, union by service, Mantra, union by speech meaning recitation of sacred syllables or mantras, Raja, union by mental control meaning mastery of the mind and senses. Plus the eight limbs of yoga: Yama, Niyama Asana Pranayama Dharana Dyana Pratyahara Samadhi So in my reference to yoga I include all various syles of yoga groups, including, Iyengar, Bikram, Viniyoga, Kundalini, Bhuddist, Tantra, aqua, Kripalu, Sivanada, Ananda, Integral, Sahaja; to name a few, etc etc. When I say yoga I also mean the yoga of a woman feeding her family before she sits down to feed herself. I could go on and on here giving examples trying not to leave everyone out. But I will leave it here. So I hope this answers your question about yoga. Love Samantha.
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Samantha, Thank you for a lovely and inspiring post. peace, sandra
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To all, Why did you start practising yoga and how do you feel you have benefitted by it. Have your views on the subject changed over time? I myself went into yoga for physical reasons. I had begun to live a couch potatoe existence and wanted something to help regain the flexibility I had as a kid. Well since that little book I was given for christmas 97, I have felt the goodness, the happiness of life return. Not just the physical benefits, but its mental movements. It brought me back to myself, as I had forgotten who I was. Now I sleep eat and live yoga. It is all pervading and I feel comforted by its familiar presence, long forgotten but now awake once again. Some days I feel like I am pulling the titanic out of bed, for a moment I may chide myself but then I remember who I am, and I am filled with happiness, and acceptance at what the day brings. Somedays I do a really good asana and I feel the urge to compete against myself and then I feel the peacefulness surface inside and tell me to just be there, just accept, just be. Sometimes when I read this newsgroup and hear anger distrust and bikering, I feel bad, but then something rises inside of me, it is love. No matter what you may be, what you do evil or good, I still love you all and this brings tears of joy to my eyes. When I let myself be happy I am estatic, it floods through my veins. I am so glad I decided to get in touch with myself, before it was too late. This is my life, this is yoga. So tell your story, bring your joy into the world. Love everything and in doing so you love thyself. Samantha.
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