Yoga is the set of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines and practices, whose objective is to achieve balance between the body and mind to achieve enlightenment and transcendence, according to the Hindu tradition.
The word yoga means ‘union’, ‘effort’ and comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj”.
He aim The essence of yoga is the reunification of the being with the Whole and access to the supreme consciousness that leads us to enlightenment. To do this, a series of positions are proposed, called asanaswhich are combined with the practice of breathing exercises, called pranayama.
Currently, yoga has become popular in the West, becoming a discipline based on Hindu theories, but more focused on physical practice. In this sense, modern yoga is rather a system of exercises that seeks for the person to achieve comprehensive balance.
Among its benefits, yoga helps the individual to have a more harmonious relationship with their body, to control their mind and emotions. It also provides greater physical flexibility, greater concentration and relief of muscle tension if practiced under the guidance of experts.
Most important types of yoga
There are several types or schools of yoga, depending on whether they are more focused on the physical part (postures or asanas), the breathing (pranayama), study or meditation. These are only some of them.
Raja yoga or Royal Yoga
It is a practice based on the teachings of Patanjali (3rd century BC), author of the Yoga-sutra, one of the founding texts of the discipline. It emphasizes meditation and strict compliance with an 8-step progression of purification of the body and mind to achieve enlightenment:
Yamas: are the ethical principles of yoga (non-violence, do not steal, do not possess, tell the truth).
Niyamas: are techniques of physical and mental discipline that include practices of physical purification, austerity, detachment, satisfaction and study of texts and oneself.
Asanas: they are the body postures, but also the mental calm that is required for the practice.
Pranayamas: are breathing techniques that help regulate the vital energy of our body.
Pratyahara: It is a state of introspection, in which we abstract from sensory perception.
Dharana: It is focusing the mind by concentrating on a fixed point.
Dhyana: is the ability to dominate the mind once concentration (dharana) has been achieved.
Samadhi: It is when consciousness manages to transcend reality and achieves complete happiness.
hatha yoga
Hatha means “to force,” in Sanskrit, and refers to the discipline necessary in this practice. According to this current, the physical body contains the spirit, so it must be kept clean and balanced with the vigorous practice of asanas, breathing exercises, purging, cleaning the nasal passages, etc.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic, fluid style of yoga characterized by a continuous sequence of movements and transitions synchronized with breathing. The word “vinyasa” translates as “consciously placing” and refers to the connection between breathing and movement.
Ashtanga Yoga
It is a rigorous and physically demanding style that follows a specific sequence of postures. It requires strength, endurance and flexibility. Ashtanga Yoga sequences are challenging and require physical effort and mental concentration. They are divided into series, each with a specific set of postures and transitions.
Bhakti yoga
It is a type of devotional yoga. Its focus is spiritual practice as a method to achieve the integration of the individual into the Totality. This is achieved through prayer, worship, chanting and daily actions, which are focused on devotion to divinity (Krisna) and the experience of unconditional love.
Jnana yoga
Also known as yoga of knowledge, it is based on the use of the rational mind to understand the principles of yoga through study, research and reflection. The goal is to continually question the nature of reality and delve into the self to discover transcendental truth.
Karma yoga
It is a practice that seeks the spiritual liberation of the individual through selfless action. Karma yoga considers that everything we do in our lives generates consequences (karma) that keep us tied to an infinite cycle of life, death and reincarnation (samsara). To get out of the cycle, the way is to act generously, without expecting reward. In this way liberation will be achieved.
Iyengar yoga
It is characterized because the sequences of postures (asanas) are executed more slowly and for longer than in other styles. In addition, it requires the use of characteristic elements (wooden blocks, chairs, ropes), to help the practitioner complete the posture. Its name is due to its creator, BS Iyengar, a yoga teacher from India, famous for bringing yoga to the West in the mid-20th century.
Kundalini yoga
Also called yoga of consciousness, it is a style that was spread in the West by Yogi Bhajan in the seventies. Kundalini yoga integrates pranayamas, asanas or body postures and chanting of mantras (sounds that, according to Hinduism, have spiritual powers). Much emphasis is placed on breathing control and meditation.
history of yoga
The origin of yoga is located in India, in the Indus Valley. Its age, however, is difficult to determine, but it is speculated that it could be about three thousand years old.
Yoga is one of the three main doctrines of Hinduism, along with samkhya and the vedanta. Each one proposes different paths for the liberation of suffering and the achievement of transcendence:
Through metaphysical knowledge (samkhya).Through movement and meditation (yoga).Through recognition of the illusion of reality (Vedanta).
The main theorist of yoga was Patanjali, a Hindu thinker who is believed to have lived during the 3rd century BC. C and who is considered the author of the Yoga-sutra, a text composed of aphorisms about yoga. It is worth clarifying that Patanjali was not the creator of this discipline, he was only one of the first to compile and systematize the techniques and traditions of yoga.
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