yoga

Yoga

The word Yoga means union in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India. A simple way of understanding this unity is a marriage of mind, body and spirit.

The most popular and practiced form of yoga in the west is Hatha Yoga which deals with the physical body through Asana (postures) and Prananyama (breath). However Hatha is only one branch to the eight limbs of yoga, the majority of which are concerned with mental and spiritual well-being rather than physical activity.

Hatha is an umbrella term that encompasses all styles of physical practice including Sivananda, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Bikram, Vini, Shadow, Power, Flow, Dynamic Vinyasa etc.

Many people think of yoga as just stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved yoga is really encouraging a balance between flexibility and strength. This is developed through regularity and repetition of the postures giving the body a clear and familiar understanding and the mind an opportunity for self reflection and observance of the ego.

Benefits

Yoga can be helpful in dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, high-blood pressure, digestive problems and backpain.

History of yoga

The oldest recorded movement of the body, yoga originated in India approximately five millennia ago. The earliest physical evidence for yoga is on stone seals found in the Indus valley and dated by archaeologists to 3000 BC. The first text devoted to yoga was the Bhagavad Gita, written around 500 BC.

Although rooted in ancient Hindu culture, Buddhism adopted and adapted many of yoga’s teachings. The different emerging versions of yoga led the philosopher Pantajali to compose his seminal text 'Yoga Sutra' defining classical yoga in the second century. Over time Masters and gurus developed post classical yoga from which Hatha, Tantra and other holistic branches sprang.

The west took on yoga from the late 19th century, largely due to the attendance of Swami Vivekanada at the 'Parliament of Religions' held in Chicago in 1893. He travelled the US widely preaching the yoga message. Other well known teachers included Marharishi Mahesh Yogi (who taught transcendental meditation to the Beatles) and the Himalayan doctor Swami Sivananda. His student Swami Satchitananda taught the 'Om Shanti' chant to the crowds at Woodstock.