What is Yoga?
One of the most accurate descriptions of yoga is:
"The Union of body, mind and soul with the awareness of a greater body."
"Yoga is the ancient art of breaking down the perception of
separation and removing suffering."
What Does Yoga Mean?
The word "yoga" is related to that of the English word " yoke."
It can mean blending together or to join or together.
Yoga Resources
" Ha" meaning sun and " tha" means moon. The word Hatha refers to a balance between Sun and moon energy lines
within the body. A sage of 15th century India called Swatmarama introduced wrote a book of instructions on yoga designed to purify the body and prepare it for meditation. The book was called the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Yoga today is seen as a combination of conscious right living, yoga exercises using yoga poses, yoga breathing, and meditation.
Light Lateral Vinyasa Yoga Flow- Resources
Instructions
- Start with standing then:
- Inhale
into Chair Pose
- Exhale to a forward bend.
- Inhale step the left leg
back.
- Exhale, turn the back leg so that the heel touches
the mat and
enter Extended Side Angle pose. Hold and inhale.
- Exhale into Triangle. Hold and inhale.
- Exhale turn inward and straighten the right leg. Then inhale bend into the lunge. (This flow is often repeated up to 12 times to lengthen the hamstrings).
- Exhale into Downward Dog, hold then inhale.
- Exhale forward to
the low pose called Astangasana.
- Inhale to a mild Cobra (You can do a deeper Cobra or
Upward Facing Dog)
- Exhale back to Downward Dog.
- Inhale forward
to the raised Uttanasana and
- Exhale into the deeper version with the
head to the legs.
- Finish with an inhale to Tadasana.
Vinyasa Teacher Tips
If you are a yoga teacher you can hold the standing yoga positions
such as Triangle and Extended side angle for a little while the
first time around to touch upon alignment issues. Then you can flow through the Vinyasa with the breath without pausing. See more about yoga teaching techniques.
Click here to enlarge
The Sundance
of koundinya. See these Beautiful Sun Salutations with arm balance
poses.
Following the
breathing is always quite challenging as the mind has a tendency to
jump ahead. Patience and tranquility allow insight and unity with
breath, this allows us flow through Vinyasa Yoga sequences and be
light with the body.
Often the breath is held when entering a yoga position. The mind is
easily distracted and it is hard to stay fixed on the breathing.
Balance and control is needed. Seek a smooth breath, feel good
alignment, empty and still the mind then fill it with light.
What to look for in yoga classes.
These days yoga is often associated with various Yoga Exercise which include Yoga flows of different Yoga Postures known as Vinyasa Yoga but this is all a type of yoga called Hatha Yoga in which almost every modern day yoga style is part of. Learn more about Yoga Online and browse through vinyasa
yoga tutorials.
In this day and age yoga is seen as a sequence of exercises and stretches with a little meditation and breathing techniques.
The methods of yoga were passed on by word of mouth thousands of years ago. Then they were put into writing in many verses by the Indian yogic sage Patañjali as the Yoga Sutras, which remains the basic roots of yoga instruction.
Many yoga teachers are barely qualified to teach yoga classes. Learn more about qualities to look for in yoga teacher and yoga teacher training. See what's involved in yoga certification.
When looking for good yoga studios here are some things to to consider.
Some may provide good yoga equipment while other provide a great atmosphere.
Learn more about yoga instructor Mark Giubarelli Other related yoga links with useful tutorials.
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