What is Yoga?
Yoga was developed in India more than 5000 years ago, and was first only available to the select few male “brahmans”, or those at the top of the caste system. There are various texts associated with Yogic philosophy, such as, The Vedas, The Unpanishads, The Bhagdavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
The word yoga is based on sanskrit term which actually means “to yoke”, as a horse to a carriage. This represents a union between the rider and the horse. Within yoga, the yoke represents the union between body, mind and spirit, as well as the union between Self and the Ultimate Self or the Universal.
In order to achieve this union, (or Samadhi, the ultimate union where ego ceases to exist), the student must practice exercise, breathing techniques and meditation.
Information listed below lists various principles, paths and types of yoga, as well as basic yogic philosophy.
Yoga Basics - Information for Beginners
Types - Different types of yoga practice
Principals - The Five Principals of Yoga
Ashtanga - The Eight Fold Path of Yoga (Eight Limbs)
Paths - The Four Paths of Yoga
Doshas - An Individual’s inner state of health; based on the balances of body tissues, waste, mind, senses & conciousness
Tyaga - Detachment, letting go, renunciation