Yoga is the union of the individual Self with the universal Self. It is the golden key which opens the door of peace, tranquillity and joy.. (B.K.S. Iyengar)
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Yoga is an art of living which appeared 4000 years ago in Hindu philosophical texts. This wisdom has been handed to us by sages throughout the ages till today.
THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI
This text was written about 2000 years ago. It as been and still is a reference to many practitioners. Patanjali offers 8 aspects or "pillars" to practice towards the liberation of suffering. 10 principles for living harmoniously within ourselves and with others: truth, non-violence, restraint, non-covetousness, non-hoarding (Yama). Purity, contentment, discipline and fervour in action, study of the Self, surrender to the Divine (Niyama). Cultivating the right effort in posture (Asana), Control and expansion of vital energy (Pranayama), Turning the senses inward (Pratyhara), cultivating concentration (Dharana) to enter into the state of Meditation (Dhyana) to attain a state of unity: being free from duality, suffering disappears (Samadhi).
THE PRACTICE OF YOGA
It allows to observe the functioning of the body, breath, emotions and mental fluctuations. Practicing regularly purifies, realigns and tonifies our 3 bodies (physical, energetic and spiritual). It also improves concentration and discrimination (Viveka). The student learns to know him/herself better and to look at situations more objectively, with detachment (Vairagya). Thus, one lives in the present moment, in mindfulness of the here and now. Progressively, peace and joy settle into one's life.
DIFFERENT APPROACHES FOR DIFFERENT KIND OF PEOPLE
Hatha Yoga defines the practice of postures (Asanas) combined with breathing exercices (Pranayama) compared to Bhakti Yoga (devotional chanting), to Jnana Yoga (commenting philosophical texts), to Karma Yoga (devoting our actions to God or to others), to Raja Yoga (practice of meditation). These various aspects complement each other and are studied more or less intensively in the various approaches developed through time by various Gurus (the one who enlightens the way). Each aspiring yogi should search and find the approach that suits him best.
Each Hatha Yoga method or style works with Asanas rather statically or dynamically, combining and emphasizing more or less the other approaches cited here above. Below are a few examples of today's styles of Hatha Yoga:
Iyengar Yoga: particular emphasis on alignment, can be soft and static to very dynamic.
Ashtanga Yoga: of Pattabhi Jois, 6 long series of quite dynamic and rather difficult postures.
Power Yoga: derived from Ashtanga but more approachable.
Kundalini Yoga: postures taken dynamically aiming at awakening the energy of Chakras.
Yoga of Energy: postures taken concentrating on feeling the energy in our body, rather smooth.
Sivananda Yoga: named after its founder, a comprehensive, classical approach combining hatha yoga, chanting and meditation.
THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI
This text was written about 2000 years ago. It as been and still is a reference to many practitioners. Patanjali offers 8 aspects or "pillars" to practice towards the liberation of suffering. 10 principles for living harmoniously within ourselves and with others: truth, non-violence, restraint, non-covetousness, non-hoarding (Yama). Purity, contentment, discipline and fervour in action, study of the Self, surrender to the Divine (Niyama). Cultivating the right effort in posture (Asana), Control and expansion of vital energy (Pranayama), Turning the senses inward (Pratyhara), cultivating concentration (Dharana) to enter into the state of Meditation (Dhyana) to attain a state of unity: being free from duality, suffering disappears (Samadhi).
THE PRACTICE OF YOGA
It allows to observe the functioning of the body, breath, emotions and mental fluctuations. Practicing regularly purifies, realigns and tonifies our 3 bodies (physical, energetic and spiritual). It also improves concentration and discrimination (Viveka). The student learns to know him/herself better and to look at situations more objectively, with detachment (Vairagya). Thus, one lives in the present moment, in mindfulness of the here and now. Progressively, peace and joy settle into one's life.
DIFFERENT APPROACHES FOR DIFFERENT KIND OF PEOPLE
Hatha Yoga defines the practice of postures (Asanas) combined with breathing exercices (Pranayama) compared to Bhakti Yoga (devotional chanting), to Jnana Yoga (commenting philosophical texts), to Karma Yoga (devoting our actions to God or to others), to Raja Yoga (practice of meditation). These various aspects complement each other and are studied more or less intensively in the various approaches developed through time by various Gurus (the one who enlightens the way). Each aspiring yogi should search and find the approach that suits him best.
Each Hatha Yoga method or style works with Asanas rather statically or dynamically, combining and emphasizing more or less the other approaches cited here above. Below are a few examples of today's styles of Hatha Yoga:
Iyengar Yoga: particular emphasis on alignment, can be soft and static to very dynamic.
Ashtanga Yoga: of Pattabhi Jois, 6 long series of quite dynamic and rather difficult postures.
Power Yoga: derived from Ashtanga but more approachable.
Kundalini Yoga: postures taken dynamically aiming at awakening the energy of Chakras.
Yoga of Energy: postures taken concentrating on feeling the energy in our body, rather smooth.
Sivananda Yoga: named after its founder, a comprehensive, classical approach combining hatha yoga, chanting and meditation.
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