Yoga is the vogue for those trying to lose some weight and get fit. It is relaxing and through meditation, one can achieve calmness of mind, as well as increase suppleness and agility through the exercises. Yoga was formed about eight thousand years back and it can be attributed to the Indus Valley and the Vedic civilization. Other hinted to it

What is Yoga? Why do some religious fundamentalists fear Yoga? What is the objective of Yoga? These questions about the true purpose of Yoga always arise, but the answers are not quite clear. So, let's get to the heart of the matter. Yoga is many things and there are many forms of Yoga. For example: Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of devotion) is commonly pra

Here are some habits to practice on your journey toward self-perfection. Always remember that you may make some mistakes along the way. Cultivate love through acts of kindness toward family, friends, and associates. Smile at others and put your "best foot forward." This alone will open many doors in life and make your journey a pleasant one. Tak

Why do some religious fundamentalists fear Yoga? For many non-practitioners of Yoga, it is Intolerance for something they do not understand. This seems harmless at first, but cries of witchcraft are never a good omen. However, every method of healing has its critics. Yoga has also been accused of being a "launching point" to export Hinduism.

Hatha Yoga: Is unity through physical mastery, but Hatha Yoga uses many of the aspects of other Yoga styles. This is the most common form of Yoga outside of India. In the Hatha Yoga family tree are many popular Hatha sub-styles such as: Iyengar, Bikram, Sivananda, Restorative, Power, and Vinyasa Yoga. There are many books and videos about Hatha

Karma Yoga: Is unity through work and particularly through the act of selfless service. Along with Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga; Karma Yoga is often considered to be one of the four most advanced forms of Yoga. To take selfless action, without expectations, or seeking a reward, is one of the keys to Karma Yoga and also enlightenment. W

In all religions, it is believed singing or chanting prayers, hymns, or Japa, will bring about salvation. Within the Vedas, the verses are also called mantras. To go a bit further, every religion practices a form of Mantra or Japa. If you have been to a church, temple, shrine, ashram, or mosque, you will hear prayers, chanting, and singing. So,

Yogic philosophy has many components, and similarities, to classical western philosophy - yet Yoga still remains somewhat of a mystery. Is Yoga a threat to any of today's Western religions or is it a compliment? Let's take a close look at the component of forgiveness and see how the teachings of Yoga will improve your life for the best, regardl

Karma Yoga has many principles, which are interchangeable with any religion. Many people think of karma as fate; but karma is action, not fate. Karma is also known as, "The law of cause and effect." We are responsible for our actions in this life and beyond. In contemporary terms we say, "What goes around; comes around." Does this seem like a la

Are you looking for a healthy mindset, fitness, spiritual guidance, holistic health, self-improvement, success, or just more oxygen? Yoga can deliver all of these, but I doubt you find all of this "under one roof." The reason is that there are many kinds of Yoga, and some ashrams, or Yoga schools, will address some of the above-mentioned needs as p

Since Yama literally means "control," you could say that Pranayama is control of "vital energy." When teaching Yoga classes, the four stages of Pranayama should be thoroughly explained. If you think in terms of a pendulum, it is much similar to the four stages of Pranayama. The pendulum moves in one direction, pauses, then moves in the opposite dir

Yoga teacher ethics should be thoroughly covered in all Yoga certification programs. With the current laws about harassment, all Yoga teachers, and anyone who works with the public, should beware. The less said, in your Yoga class about trivial matters, the better. Your personal beliefs should not be part of the Yoga class lesson plan. Just

While there are no set regulations on what level of training is necessary to teach yoga, choosing to pursue teacher certification, demonstrates a commitment to yoga. CYT certification reveals that a yoga instructor has pursued a certain level of education in yoga techniques. There are many different programs offering certification to yoga instru

Yoga is a system of physical and mental practices that originates in India more than 5000 years ago. What is the purpose of yoga? The purpose of yoga is to help yourself and other people to achieve your highest potential and to experience a healthy and happy life. By using the practice of yoga you can extends your healthy and happy life for far bey

Pranayama is possibly the most overlooked aspect of Hatha Yoga. Every Yoga teacher training course includes a significant segment about Pranayama. Although B.K.S. Iyengar wrote detailed works on the subject, some Hatha Yoga teachers barely scratch the surface on the subject of cultivating vital energy through breathing. Why is this happening in