So You Want to Practice Yoga?

You want to practice yoga because of the many things you have heard it can do for you, some bordering on the miraculous. But you haven't got the foggiest idea what yoga is besides the image of a human pretzel and this scares you. First of all, if you think that yoga is some esoteric and difficult art, banish the thought because it is nothing of the sort and is in fact as natural as breathing, stretching or yawning. The main guiding principle is that it should feel good while you are doing it and if it hurts or doesn't feel good, you are doing something wrong. Further, it doesn't matter how old or how out of shape you are-yoga will benefit you no matter what your present condition is.

At its core, yoga is a series of structured exercises that involve the whole person-physical, mental, emotional and spiritual-with the object of bringing all of those dimensions together into a harmonious whole. The word 'yoga' literally means 'to join'. Only a very small minority practice all of the yogas however, with the vast majority opting to practice only one yoga depending on their individual needs and compulsions.

The different branches of yoga are:

Hatha Yoga-Physical.

This is the most commonly practiced yoga and involves exercises that are composed mainly of physical poses or 'asanas' and breathing exercises or 'pranayama'. In an asana, the practitioner assumes a pose and holds it for a few seconds. In pranayama, the practitioner regulates the breath according to prescribed routines. Practicing either of both of these yogas has an effect on the other dimensions, viz. mental, emotional and intellectual.

Raja Yoga-Mental

Raja means 'royal' and this yoga concerns itself with the modification and control of the mind, mainly through exercises in sense withdrawal (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana) which lead to super consciousness (Samadhi).

Gyana Yoga-Knowledge

Also knows as 'Jnana' yoga, this is the path of wisdom in which the practitioner intellectually peels the onion of reality, so to speak, by slowly removing the veils of delusion and leaving only enlightenment and understanding. One technique in achieving this is called 'neti, neti' or 'not this, not this', in which every thought, image, concept, sound or sense that does not ring of the true reality is discarded one by one, eventually leaving only reality.

Karma Yoga-Action

Karma means action and this yoga is based on the fact that what goes around comes around that is enshrined in the Law of Karma. Recognizing this law and the fact that action is unavoidable, the practitioner endeavors to perform only the right actions and that too, only in the right spirit. One learns that every action should be free of any expectation of reward and this non-attachment to the fruits of action makes one fearless of any outcome.

Bhakti Yoga-Devotion

In this yoga, the practitioner understands that his human intellect is limited and cannot realize the ultimate reality without surrender to the highest power. In this spirit, the practitioner cultivates one of the most powerful motivating forces available to human beings, viz the power of devotion through a regimen of discipline and training for worship.

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