Body

Want To Learn The Secrets Of Yoga?

Bronson Tang

February 24, 2015

Yoga is the art and science of mastering the mind, body and spirit.

No one can be for certain how it came to be.

There are many different schools of thoughts.

Many scholars believe yoga absorbed elements of Stone Age shamanism which dates back at least to 25,000 B.C., and probably earlier. Shamanism is the sacred art of changing one’s awareness to enter extraordinary realms of being and reality. In fact, the word shaman means a seasoned traveler in the spirit realm.

The history of yoga is divided into four broad categories:

1. Vedic
2. Pre-classical
3. Classical
4. Post-classical

The Vedic period (or Vedic age) (ca.1750–500 BCE) was the period in Indian history during which the Vedas (“praise of knowledge”) , the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed.

The Pre-classical period was a time during the Upanishads. Upanishads are a collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature, written in India probably between c. 800 BCE and c. 500 BCE, during a time when Indian society started to question the traditional Vedic religious order

The Classical period, was around the second century when C.E, Patanjali composed the yoga sutras, which consists of 195 aphorisms. They expound the Raja yoga or the eight-fold path, which are meant to be memorized, as it is not in written form. The earliest known Sanskrit commentary on the sutras is Yoga- Bhashya, byVyasa in the fifth century.

Patanjali’s Eightfold path of Yoga (also called Eight Limbs). These are:

1. Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values;

2. Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study;

3. Asanas or physical exercises;

4. Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation;

5. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;

6. Dharana, which is about concentration;

7. Dhyana, which means Meditation; and

8. Samadhi, which means ecstasy.

The Post-Classical period was an era yoga makes a rather sudden shift. It is during this post 18th century period that yoga is introduced into the Western world. During this period, thanks in part to new technology, literature on yoga begins to proliferate

Regardless of it history, yoga is a practice that can tremendously help your physical alignment, flexibility, strength and agility.

The aesthetically pleasing postures (poses) known as asanas are what has become the staple of modern day yoga.

According to Mark Singleton, in his article, The Roots of Yoga

Scouring these primary texts, it was obvious to me that asana was rarely, if ever, the primary feature of the significant yoga traditions in India. Postures such as those we know today often figured among the auxiliary practices of yoga systems (particularly in hatha), but they were not the dominant component. They were subordinate to other practices like Pranayama (expansion of the vital energy by means of breath), dharana (focus, or placement of the mental faculty), and nada (sound), and did not have health and fitness as their chief aim. Not, that is, until the sudden explosion of interest in postural yoga in the 1920s and 1930s, first in India and later in the West.

Here is a list of the different types of yoga:

Types of Yoga	Description	Good For	Who Can Benefit
Ananda	Focuses on gentle postures designed to move the energy up to the brain and prepare the body for meditation. Classes also focus on proper body alignment and controlled breathing.
Anusara	A relatively new form (1997), which focuses principles of alignment with a playful spirit. Postures can be challenging, the real message of Anusara is to open your heart.	Mood enhancement via upbeat vibe; practicing when out of shape, because you won't be pushed too far; and learning proper alignment to prevent injuries both on and off the mat.	Nervous newbies. It's nonthreatening and less intense than ashtanga or Bikram.
Ashtanga (or Astanga)	A system taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This style is physically demanding as it involves synchronizing breathing with progressive and continuous series of postures-a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.	Weight loss, no-time-for-breath-catching cardio, strength gains sans weights, and making you feel like a young jock again. This style will get you cut fast through repetition of the athletic poses.	CEOs, ESQs, CPAs (anyone with three letters after their name, even if they're OCD). "Ashtanga appeals to Type-A personalities—driven, intense people who like its linear quality," explains Natasha Rizopoulos, a dedicated ashtangi and star of the Yoga Step-By-Step DVD series.
Bikram	Yoga poses in a sauna-like room. The heat is cranked up to nearly 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity in official Bikram classes. If it's called "Bikram" (for inventor Bikram Choudhury), it will be a series of 26 basic yoga postures, each performed twice. There's no vinyasa-ing and in that kind of heat you'll be glad.	Weight loss—you can burn 350 to 600 calories in one class. You'll build stamina to boot. "Tolerating the heat is really an athletic challenge," says Donna Rubin, co-owner of Bikram Yoga New York.	Exert-aholics, ex-jocks, and others who don't think they've worked out unless they leave a puddle.
Hatha	An easy-to-learn basic form of yoga that has become very popular in the United States. Hatha Yoga is the foundation of all Yoga styles. It incorporates Asanas (postures), Pranayama (regulated breathing), meditation (Dharana & Dhyana) and kundalini (Laya Yoga) into a complete system that can be used to achieve enlightenment or self-realization.	Calming down, de-stressing, and too many physical benefits to list. (See the rest of the yoga articles here on the site to get an idea!)	Everyone! You choose the pace and style best for you.
Integral	This traditional type of yoga combines postures, breathing exercises, selfless service, meditation, chanting, prayer, and self-inquiry.
ISHTA	Developed by South African teacher Mani Finger and popularized in the States by his son Alan, ISHTA (Integral Science of Hatha and Tantric Arts) focuses on opening energy channels throughout the body with postures, visualizations, and meditation.
Iyengar	Developed by yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar more than 60 years ago, promotes strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment. The poses are generally held longer than in other styles of yoga. In Iyengar, you slowly move into a pose, hold it for a minute or so, and then rest for a few breaths before stretching into another.	Learning the fundamentals, which builds a superior foundation for other styles. Plus it systematically works every part of your body, giving you great muscle definition, not mass. Can be especially good if you're recovering from an injury.	Patient perfectionists. Detail-oriented folks who want to do it right rather than just do it will get the most from it.
Jivamukti	Developed in 1986 by Sharon Gannon and David Life, the Jivamukti Yoga method expresses the spiritual and ethical aspects of the practice of yoga that have been disregarded or devalued in contemporary times. It is a vigorous and challenging asana form with an emphasis on scriptural study, Sanskrit chanting, vegetarianism, non-violence, meditation, devotion to God and the role that music and listening play in the practice of yoga.	Experiencing an authentic, all-encompassing yoga practice. Part of the five tenets (see below) include tolerance towards all forms of religious beliefs (bhakti) and vegetarianism (ahimsa).	Traditionalists. Jivamukti is heavily rooted in the traditions of yogic scripture including philosophy and chanting.
Kali Ray TriYoga	A series of flowing, dancelike movements was developed by Kali Ray in 1980. The practice also incorporates pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation.
Kripalu	A three-part practice that teaches you to get to know, accept, and learn from your body. It starts with figuring out how your body works in different poses, then moves toward longer held postures and meditation, before tapping deep into your being to find spontaneous flow in asanas, letting your body be the teacher.	Self-empowerment. Knowing what your body can really do is a powerful tool that you can use in all realms of your life.	Anyone looking for serious personal transformation and newbies. You'll learn the basics from mechanics, to breathwork, to the spiritual side.
Kundalini	Constantly moving, invigorating poses. The fluidity of the practice is intended to release the kundalini (serpent) energy in your body.	Getting a yoga buzz. The breathing will skyrocket your energy, while the postures and meditation keep you grounded and focused.	Anyone seeking greater spiritual and mind/body awareness. It's more than a workout.
Power	An active and athletic style of yoga adapted from the traditional ashtanga system in the late '80s to appeal to aerobic-crazed Westerners. After having studied with Pattabhi Jois, Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest simultaneously pioneered this westernized ashtanga on the East and West coasts, respectively.	Burn, baby, burn. Isometric movements recruit every muscle in the body, which sparks metabolism and results in more calories burned.	Athletic types love its sweaty side but find that after a while the mental benefits start catching up with their flexibility and strength. Like ashtangis, the power yoga crowd isn't afraid of a challeng
Prenatal	Yoga postures carefully adapted for expectant mothers. Prenatal yoga is tailored to help women in all stages of pregnancy—even getting back in shape post-baby.	Safe exercise during pregnancy; speeding up labor and warding off pregnancy aches, pains, and swelling; plus, keeping the core strong to help maintain good posture counteracting the pull of the baby on the body.	Anyone opting for drug-free delivery. Pregnant women who want easier and speedier labors. "You'll have an easier time delivering because yoga can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles," DeAvilla says. "People think keeping things loose makes delivery easy, but stronger muscles stretch more easily to make things go faster."
Restorative	In a restorative yoga class you'll spend long periods of time lying on blocks, blankets and yoga bolsters - passively allowing muscles to relax.	Stress and injury rehab. You can direct blood flow to injured areas without straining them. A bolster under your knees while lying down, for example, supports the leg bones enough to let the muscles stop contracting.	Everyone. Even if you're devoted to your particular practice, taking the time to do a restorative class will give your body an active relaxation session.
Sivananda	An unhurried yoga practice typically of the same 12 basic asanas or variations therof every time, bookended by sun salutations and savasana (corpse pose). The system is based on a five-point philosophy that proper breathing, relaxation, diet, exercise, and positive thinking work together to form a healthy yogic lifestyle.	Spiritual boosting. Each class opens and closes with chanting and meditation.	Serious devotees looking for an intensive, ashram experience. Also, older yogis, who will find Sivananda is a fresh approach to boosting vitality, preventing disease, and restoring the body.
Svaroopa	New students find this a very approachable style, often beginning in chair poses that are comfortable. Promotes healing and transformation.
Viniyoga	A highly individualized practice where yogis learn to adapt poses and goals to their own needs and abilities. Vini actually means differentiation, adaptation, and appropriate application. Instead of focusing on stretching to get strong and flexible, viniyoga uses the principles of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF).	A personalized practice. Viniyoga teachers usually work one-on-one with students so they'll create a series of modified asanas for your body and its limitations.	Back-pain sufferers of all types from lower back to sciatica. Viniyoga will stabilize your sacrum, loosen back muscles, and balance out your spine.
Vinyasa	Focuses on coordination of breath and movement and it is a very physically active form of yoga. It began with Krishnamacharya who later passed it on to Pattabhi Jois.
White Lotus	A modified Ashtanga practice developed by Ganga White which is combined with breathwork and meditation.
Yin	Sometimes referred to as yoga for the joints, not the muscles, it directs the stimulation normally created by the asana into areas deeper than the superficial or muscular tissues. Yin Yoga works the connective tissues of the ligaments, fascia, joints and bones.	Preparing the body and mind for meditation practice. You'll develop a deeper, more thorough understanding of your entire body, aiding both your meditation and yang yoga.	Athletes and yang-aholics whose joints may be getting crowded by muscle; yin can create space and restore range of motion. Beginners in meditation—the long-held poses lend a good opportunity to practice quieting the mind.