Posts Tagged ‘of yoga’

Do Yogis Have to Be Vegetarians?

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Jenny Park

A commonly held belief is that all yogis must practice vegetarianism in order to reap all the benefits yoga has to offer. Is this true, or can yogis eat meat if they feel compelled to do so?

The link between vegetarianism and yoga comes from the practice of Ahimsa, which means to do no harm. There is some debate as to whether or not this extends to all sentient life forms including animals or just fellow human beings. Most agree that is does encompass animals in addition to humanity. Ahimsa is an important part of yoga, Buddhism, Hinduism and other ancient religions.

Modern yoga is now practiced heavily in the West where such religions are not as influential. Christianity, the most widespread religion in the West, does not specifically ban the eating of animals though several prominent figures in the Bible clearly abstained from eating the flesh of animals. As a result, the West heavily consumes animal products of all persuasions as part of a normal diet. This creates problems for those looking to make yoga a part of their day-to-day lives. Must they give up meat in order to be a “proper” yogi?

For most individuals, it will come down to a matter of personal preference. There are a few practical benefits to eating a vegetarian diet that may have a positive impact on the quality of yoga practice in general. A vegetarian diet tends to be lighter and cleaner, leading to more energy and easier movements through the asanas. This is likely the primary benefit of eating a vegetarian diet if one is solely practicing the physical aspects of yoga. If one is looking to apply the spiritual side of yoga to their lives, vegetarianism and perhaps even veganism may be necessary as laid down by ancient yogic texts.

From a purely physical standpoint, there are several benefits to eating meat on a daily basis. Scientific studies have shown that protein plays a vital part of proper cell turnover throughout the human body, making it an important anti-aging compound. Animal protein is one of the most easily assimilated proteins available, while vegetable protein sources usually require the body to work in order to make the protein usable. With that said, most people in Western society eat entirely too much protein in one sitting, resulting in a lack of balance within their diet. Even the most carnivorous person could benefit from adding more vegetables to his or her plate.

In the end, the most definitive way to choose whether or not to practice vegetarianism may be to simply listen to the body itself. If the body responds to animal proteins with strength, vitality and endurance, it could be that animal proteins are right for you. If your body makes it clear that it’s best fueled from vegetable sources alone then honor and respect that fact.

The beauty of yoga is that it is open to all and everyone may take what they will from it. Individuals may choose to simply practice the physical art of yoga and stick with their own spiritual beliefs, or alternatively one may choose to apply the spiritual side that resonates with them as well. This is what makes yoga a timeless gift capable of withstanding centuries of time and change.

If one chooses to consume animal proteins, there are some more gentle sources of meat, such as eggs or fish, and also free range options, which honor an animal’s right to roam free and be happy during their lives up until consumption. These mindful choices make the eating of meat more congruent with the philosophical and spiritual side of yoga.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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The Eight Limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Bhavan Kumar

The ideal Yoga practice is a delicate balance between science and art, creating a union between mind, body, and spirit. The practitioner uses the body and breath to nurture an awareness of individual and unified focus. The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali describes the foundations and framework of Yoga philosophy from before 200 A.D. The sacred text offers a description of the innermost workings of the mind and provides an eight-part practice for controlling mental restlessness and cultivating unshakeable peace.

At its core, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra describe eight Ashtanga, or “limbs,” of Yoga which provide the proper structure for yoga practice. Each limb correlates to a practice for achieving a healthy and balanced life. Mastery of the eight limbs eventually provides spiritual fulfillment and connection to the divine.

The eight limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra are briefly described below. The first five limbs are considered “external aids to Yoga.” The final three limbs are considered “internal aids to Yoga.”

1. Yama: includes five guidelines for moral and ethical behavior towards others, also known as universal morality or ethical social behavior. Restraint and abstention from wrong acts, sometimes known as “the Commandments.”

*Ahimsa – nonviolence, harmlessness.

*Satya – not lying, truthfulness.

*Asteva – not stealing, includes more than just physical acquisition of material property.

*Brahmacharya – not lusting, to be without desire.

*Aparigraha – not coveting.

2. Niyama: includes five guidelines for moral/ethical behavior towards self. Right observances, sometimes known as “the Rules.”

*Saucha – cleanliness, internal and external purification.

*Santosa – contentment, a state of mind wherein all conditions are considered just and correct.

*Tapas – sustained practice, “fiery aspiration.”

*Svadhyaya – study of self, close scrutiny of the causes of desires, aspirations and feelings.

*Isvara Pranidhana – surrender to God, the attitude of the lower self toward the God within.

3. Asana: proper practice of yoga postures. Right poise, while maintaining correct physical, mental, and emotional attitude.

4. Pranayama: proper practice of breathing exercises and regulation of the breath, including the control, regulation and suppression of the vital forces of the body.

5. Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses (exterior reality does not distract from one’s internal reality).

6. Dharana: concentration (internal and external distractions do not cause loss of focus). Fixation (centering) of the mind.

7. Dhyana: meditation (builds upon Dharana, concentration is no longer of a single focus but is all-encompassing). This creates the capacity to use the mind as desired, to transmit higher thoughts, while processing ideas and concepts to the mind.

8. Samadhi: bliss (builds upon Dhyana, self-transcendence through meditation. Merging of self with Universe, or enlightenment). To engage in contemplation concerning the realm of the soul. Eventually produces full illumination.

The eight limbs of Yoga provide a strong framework and logical pathway toward the attainment of divine union. It is important to remember that these eight limbs of Yoga do not refer to something accomplished on one plane, or another, but to simultaneous activity and the practice of all these methods at once as they refer to the physical, mental, and emotional bodies. This allows a natural state of total health and integration.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Restoring Emotional Balance with Yoga Exercises

Saturday, March 26th, 2011

yoga retreatBy Gopi Rao

In times of great change and uncertainty people have anxiety and panic attacks. These days, almost everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and stress. Yoga is a method for controlling emotional energy.  While the exact circumstances are often beyond our control, the way we handle them is not.

Research has proven that carrying negative emotions for long periods of time can have adverse effects on physical, emotional, and mental health. One of the oldest and most effective ways to release blocked feelings and calm the body is the ancient practice of Yoga.

Yoga can be literally translated as the union of body, mind, and spirit. The eight limbs, which are defined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras are closely intertwined. One who embarks on the path of Raja Yoga cannot avoid noticing how these eight limbs connect to each other. In fact, all eight limbs of Yoga are of great importance.

Although best known in modern society for its physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, Yoga is actually a holistic practice, which encompasses everything from integrity and compassion to concentration and balance. Regardless of how it is practiced, the basic tenets work together to enhance emotional stability, physical stamina, and mental clarity.

Changes made in the mind are manifested in the body, and changes made in the body are manifested in the mind and spirit. A variety of studies have shown the benefits of mental and physical Yoga exercises for emotional balance and stability. The following five points reveal a promising look at the future of Yoga in our global society.

• Research in Scandinavia measured the effect of Yoga on brain waves and found that both alpha and theta waves increased after a session of Yoga. This means that the brain is not only calmer, but it has greater access to subconscious emotions, as well.

• A study published in an Indian journal found that people who practiced Yoga for ten months showed a decrease in depression both during and after the months of their participation.

• Clinical studies at the University of Wisconsin found that meditation increases the action of the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with increased immunity and sense of well-being.

• An article in www.beliefnet.com lists the benefits of Yoga in helping teens manage the physical, emotional, and mental changes occurring during adolescence.

• Jon Kabat-Zinn, well-known author and meditation teacher, says: “when you practice Yoga…your perspective on your body, your thoughts, and your whole sense of self can change…” During the practice of Yoga poses, the body can recall long-forgotten memories and release any tension associated with them, thus bringing emotional balance and restoring health.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Posted in Yoga for Emotional Health, Yoga for Health, Yoga for Mental Health | No Comments »

The Concept of Yoga

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

By Robert Shorn

In the west more and more schools teaching yoga and pranayam are coming up everywhere and people are taking to this Hindu philosophy based practice that aims at balancing the body and mind in harmony as well as elevating the consciousness to a higher spiritual awareness. Yoga consists of breathing techniques, body postures both, sitting and standing postures combined with few cleansing rituals.

A few well known yoga disciplines are:

Ananda: Means Bliss. This is ideal for those who are new to Yoga science and are getting initiated now. It consists of basics of body stretching and flexibility building asanas with no meditation or chanting.

Kundalini Yoga system: Entails breathing exercises and awakening of the inner energy in the body through breath control. Yoga as a science made its entry into the west through Kundalini yoga.

Bikram Yoga Practice: Involves 26 asanas repeated with stretch exercises and breathing techniques practiced in room with temperature up to 100 degrees to promote body flexibility.

Ashtanga Yoga: Promotes overall body control, keeping body fit and increasing the stamina through asanas that are designed to exercise each part of the body separately. It is also called power yoga as it gives better body control.

Kripalu: Control of mind and body through breathing techniques and meditation techniques.

Integral: Basic system of building body co ordination and increasing flexibility through simple exercises that do not stretch the body to limits. Ideal for beginners to yoga.

Anasura: Consists of body posture and mind control to increase spiritual awareness.

Iyengar: Yoga promotes all round well being and flexibility of the body along with treating body ailments and improving conditions with the help of props, pillows, cushions and rope etc to help with body exercises.

Though practice types may differ, all yoga systems are based on body, mind and spiritual well-being of human beings. This being the case, you can choose the system that suites your goal and helps you attain the same.

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10 Tips For Yoga Beginners

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Yoga Teacher TrainingBy Konstantin Tsiryulnikov

The increasing popularity of Yoga, especially during and after the holiday season is attracting a lot of beginners to come to the class. The vast majority of popular Yoga schools offer very little advice to absolute beginners, mostly trying to emerge them into the practice, often overlooking essential points. This short guide is designed to give the beginners a few tips on how to get the most out of their practice, advance quickly and receive maximum enjoyment.

1. Do not eat 1 hr before class

When your stomach is busy digesting food a lot of energy is consumed, making it harder to concentrate on your poses, decreasing your flexibility (because your stomach is full of food), and affecting your breathing pattern. Simply put, practicing on a full stomach is extra work the your body and it will decrease your performance.

2. Do not eat 1 hr after class

Many people get very hungry after class and proceed to the table immediately. This is not a good idea. During Yoga practice a lot of toxins that have been accumulated by your muscle tissue are released into the bloodstream (same thing happens after a good massage) making you feel a bit dizzy and sometimes even hungover – this is your body trying to digest the released impurities, cleansing your system. This process usually takes about an hour, and adding food to your stomach will force your body to switch to food digestion, leaving the toxins to be absorbed back into the tissue. Eating right after class significantly decreases the purifying benefits of your practice.

3. Wear loose clothing

Tight fitness gear, usually perfect for active workouts is not suitable for Yoga. Your muscles should be free, and your movements should be as unconstricted as possible. Try to stay natural. Naked Yoga works best:)

4. Pay attention to your mat

It is important to have a good Yoga mat, especially for beginners. Make sure your mat is not too thin, does not slip (especially when wet) and does not bunch up during practice. Having a skid-free and properly cushioned experience is recommended if you want to maximize your enjoyment.

5. Focus on breathing

While your insructor will definitely tell you this, it is important to note how essential this part is. Proper breathing pattern is a key to everything in Yoga, make sure you follow the rhythm of inhalations and exhalations set by your teacher, this rhythm will soon become natural.

6. Do not try to follow or imitate anybody

Practice at your own pace. People around you may do crazy stuff, and there is absolutely no need to follow them. Yoga is not about attaining certain poses, but about balance and the practice itself.

7. “No pain-no gain” does NOT apply to Yoga

There is no need to push yourself. A perfect pose is the one you can do comfortably. Yoga is not about physical achievement, you must progress at your own natural speed.

8. Dedicate your practice to someone

To practice a little Karma Yoga, try to imagine that you are practicing for someone else’s benefit, picture this person and dedicate the fruits of your labor to them. This simple technique will calm your mind and put all your worries on stand by.

9. Do not skip the meditation

Sometimes you are in a rush, and leave the class before meditation starts. You think that you’ve achieved all the benefits of the physical part and will meditate later. This is a common mistake that should be avoided. Meditation is the most important part of the practice, essentially everything is leading to it. During meditation you are able to utilize the calming effect of the asanas to go deep inside yourself – this is what yoga is about.

10. Do not worry about progress

If you practice regularly, you will succeed. Yoga was designed to work on anyone who dedicates time to it. It does not matter who you are, what your physical abilities are like and where you stand in life – if you practice, you will feel the benefits. I hope this makes it a little easier for beginners to get started and begin enjoying Yoga right away. Once you truly feel the effects, you will never want to go back, guaranteed!

Konstantin Tsiryulnikov is an experienced Yoga enthusiast and practitioner, and an editor of The http://YogaMatReview.org  a ratings and reviews site about Yoga products.

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The Second Yoga Discipline – Truthfulness

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Yoga MeditationBy Stephen Jayanta Paquette

We continue our exploration of the grounding principles of yoga known as the YAMAS. These five disciplines can provide a powerful grounding influence in our daily lives. The second discipline that follows non-violence is truthfulness (satya). This word may also be translated to be genuine, real or honest. Like all aspects of yoga the more we are able to cultivate these principles within the more effective we can be in expressing them in our relationships with others.

Let’s look to the paired opposite to deepen our exploration of truthfulness. In which ways are we not honest with ourselves? One of the things that has been coming up for me is a tendency to look for a distraction in a painful or uncomfortable moment. I can imagine these distractions taking many forms from as simple as changing the subject to reaching for a drink to an expression of rage. There are infinite possibilities but as we become more aware we can hesitate and hold that “uncomfortable space” and be honest with ourselves by allowing ourselves to feel what there is to be felt. Imagine the feeling is like a wave that you surrender to in the moment, feeling it in ever more subtle ways. Practice consciously relaxing your resistance in the form of contractions in the body and distractions in the mind. Make room for the feeling to express itself fully in your being.

This is a practice of compassion, of honesty and most certainly of yoga. On the mat we get accustomed to being present with sensations in the body and this training is directly related to practicing this presence with our emotional nature. We all carry conditioned reactions based on our past, family and society; to indulge in these conditioned reactions is to avoid reality. We all have the opportunity to experience and express, more fully, the principle of truthfulness in our lives. Become familiar with the triggers that “set you off” and start to infuse a little space between the trigger and the reaction. Be courageous in your truth and be forgiving in your reactions.

Truthfulness is about Getting Real and when we take steps to be present with ourselves and with one another there is a tremendous amount of energy released into your life. What we do not see is that holding onto these conditioned reactions consumes a tremendous amount of energy. The process of enlightenment is like small photons of light being released in our being each time we choose to act with compassion and awareness.

During your next yoga class develop the skills of truthfulness by learning to be more present with your body, mind and breath. I wish you all great courage in practicing truthfulness on the mat and in your life this day in every way.

Steve Jayanta Paquette was born in Nova Scotia and spent much of his childhood in Atlantic Canada. He has recently returned to Nova Scotia after living for 10 years in a yoga ashram where he studied the ancient practices of yoga and meditation. He lives in Yarmouth and shares mindfulness, meditation and yoga as moving prayer in studios, churches and corporate settings around Atlantic Canada.

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