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Introduction to Yoga

Yoga is probably the oldest defined practicequieting the breath, and stilling the mind
of self development. Founded on principlesthrough meditation. These elements are
that promote development of self awareness,sometimes adapted to meet the needs of
through the practice of physical asanasnon-Hindu  practitioners.
(postures), the understanding and practice of
pranayama (breath control) insight andProponents of yoga see daily practice as
awareness is gained of the physical, mentalbeneficial in itself, leading to improved
and spiritual nature and well-being of thehealth, emotional well-being, mental clarity,
individual. With this knowledge and practice,and joy in living. Yoga adepts progress
one has the opportunity to adjust and changetoward the experience of samadhi, an advanced
aspects and habitual patterns that havestate of meditation where there is absorption
discouraged the development and attunementin  inner  ecstasy.
that  leads  to  a  balanced  life.
The goals of yoga are expressed differently
This enables an individual to glimpse andin different traditions. In theistic
live a reality that is even more alive thanHinduism, yoga may be seen as a set of
many experience as the normal state ofpractices intended to bring people closer to
living.god - to help them achieve union with god. In
Buddhism, which does not postulate a
Today yoga is interpreted as either: a) Acreator-type god, yoga may help people deepen
demanding fitness program that stretches andtheir wisdom, compassion, and insight. In
strengthens the spine, tones the body andWestern nations, where there is a strong
develops a sense of well being within b) Aemphasis on individualism, yoga practice may
way of learning to relax, de-stress andbe an extension of the search for meaning in
practice breathing techniques that increaseself, and integration of the different
lung capacity, work the cardiovascular systemaspects of being. The terms Self-Realization
and allow the individual to cope with the upsand god-Realization are used interchangeably
and  downs  of  modern  life.in Hindu yoga, with the underlying belief
that the true nature of self, revealed
c) The embrace of a philosophical methodologythrough the practice of yoga, is of the same
that is based on experiential learning. Onenature  as  god.
that allows the awareness of physical reality
and activation within the body to beThe ultimate goal of yoga is the attainment
stimulated or suppressed for maximum benefit.of liberation (Moksha) from worldly suffering
and the cycle of birth and death (Samsara).
d) A philosophy of life that codifiesYoga entails mastery over the body, mind, and
principles of conducting and living life soemotional self, and transcendence of desire.
that the development of a witnessIt is said to lead gradually to knowledge of
consciousness might evolve and with it anthe true nature of reality[citation needed] .
understanding  of  the  self.
The Yogi reaches an enlightened state where
e) Meditation - the practice of concentrationthere is a cessation of thought and an
on a single object to calm the mind,experience of blissful union[citation needed]
cultivate inner stillness and merge into the. This union may be of the individual soul
experiential  awareness  of  Oneness.(Atman) with the supreme Reality (Brahman),
as in Vedanta philosophy; or with a specific
f) A spiritual practice that develops thegod or goddess, as in theistic forms of
experience of Oneness and allows theHinduism  and  some  forms  of  Buddhism.
individual to let go of all ties that create
separation  from  this  reality.Enlightenment may also be described as
extinction of the limited ego, and direct and
Through yoga information of the world, thelasting perception of the non-dual nature of
self and its constituencies allow dependencythe  universe.
to  be  replaced  by  interdependency.
For the average person still far from
It can be any or all of these things - theenlightenment, yoga can be a way of
decision is up to the individual as to whichincreasing one's spiritual awareness, or
aspects  they  choose  to  develop.cultivating compassion and insight. While the
history of yoga strongly connects it with
Modern yoga practice often includesHinduism, proponents claim that yoga is not a
traditional elements inherited from Hinduism,religion itself, but contains practical steps
such as moral and ethical principles,which can benefit people of all religions, as
postures designed to keep the body fit,well as those who do not consider themselves
spiritual philosophy, instruction by a guru,religious.
chanting of mantras (sacred syllables),



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