Why You Should Do Yoga?
Yoga Today:
There are so many schools of Yoga. If you have been practicing Yoga, it will expand your horizon to practice different types of Yoga. This blog article will discuss ‘East and West Yoga.’
Yoga’s origin is a controversial topic of conversation today. Yoga has traveled throughout Asia. The historical Buddha attained his enlightenment by practicing yogic techniques. Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most prolific leaders and a practitioner of Yoga in the modern times.
Yoga coexisted side by side with Buddhism. In China, Korea and Japan, Yoga found newly modified expressions and fused with the Ying and Yang philosophy, Taoism, Zen Buddhism and many healing modalities.
In Europe, Yoga was introduced and many students embraced a holistic approach to Yoga.
In America, Yoga became very popular in recent years as a form of stretching, relaxation and physical fitness. Many teachers and students of spirituality, wellness and human potential movements have continually searched to integrate the Western approaches with the Eastern way. Today, Yoga taught is not a codified method of many centuries ago. Yoga is an integrative approach that is living, changing and adapting to serve the people.
What is ‘East and West Yoga’?
East and West Yoga is a synthesis of Indian Yoga, Japanese Qi Gong (Energy/ movement work similar to Reiki), Taoist Yoga, Yin and Yang philosophy, Chinese meridian exercise, western sensory awareness, and Zen of Hara (deep abdominal area, center of energy centers) training, Oki-Do Yoga, Mind Body Centering, personal development and the 12 Step Program.
‘East and West Yoga’ is simple and very easy for everyone and no prior experience is necessary.
It is gentle and dynamic; physical and mental; relaxing and strengthening; experiential and scientific; tangible and intangible. It may be very challenging for super athletes and experienced yoga students because it will ask them to change their paradigms regarding their current mind/body sets.
Brief History and Evolution of Yoga:
Yoga is an integral part of the evolution of Civilization as we understand it. There are controversial opinions regarding Yoga’s origin. Most recent scholastic research indicates Yoga may be more than 10,000 years old. Until recently, stone seals of Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley, located in the present day Pakistan, had been considered to be the earliest archaeological evidence of the origin of Yoga. They depict Gods and Goddesses practicing meditation and performing various postures known as asanas. Yoga is described in the Upanishads, part of the Vedas of the Hindu scriptures.
In general, Yoga is considered to have originated in India from its metaphysical beliefs and life-philosophy. Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning union and merger. According to the late Sri Swami Satchidananda, the founder of Integral Yoga, the actual meaning of Yoga is the science of the mind. Traditionally Yoga has been practiced for a balance and harmony of the body and mind through breathing and attainment of self-enlightenment.
There are more than 70 lineages of Yoga.
The seven main lineages of Yoga are:
- Jnana Yoga -Cultivation of reason
- Bhakti Yoga -Purification of the mind through devotion
- Raja Yoga – Mastery of the mind by the conscious mind
- Hatha Yoga -Mastery of physiology to connect to the chakras
- Kriya Yoga – Purification of the body, mind and lifestyle
- Mantra Yoga – Chanting and Worship to connect to spirits or energy
- Karma Yoga – Service to others and society
The word, Yoga, by itself traditionally has referred to Raja Yoga, the mental science. The primary text of Raja Yoga is the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, dating from 5000 B.C.
There are eight stages of training:
- Yama: the universal moral codes of avoidance such as non-violence;
- Niyama: the universal moral laws, ethical codes of recommendations such as self-study.
- Asana: Guidance to correct posture and movement.
- Pranayama: Control of prana (energy) through breathing.
- Pratyahara: Control of senses.
- Dharana: Physical concentration and focus,
- Dhyana: Mental concentration.
- Samadhi: Oneness, unification
Definite Purpose and Reasons to Do Yoga:
Did you know that stretching of the body or muscles really does not mean elongating a set of muscles as when you would stretch a piece of rubber string? When we stretch in Yoga, we are actually creating space among the bodily cells and allowing energy, blood and bodily fluids to circulate as nature intended!
Participants will increase their ability to connect to the Universal Energy
and cultivate their innate Mind and Body’s Wisdom so that they will more effectively
work in harmony with their own purpose, vision and goal.
Yoga is something you do consistently. Prefarably daily 45 minutes to two hours as time permits. In East and West Yoga, participants will perform both ancient and modern techniques such as modified Hatha Yoga postures, QiGong movements, basic sensory awareness and guided meditation to achieve balanced, healthy mind/body states.
There are many benefits from doing Yoga. Some of them you immediately experience. The others are scientifically measured and medically researched and you may not actually feel these.
Like anything else, there are great teachers and bad teachers.
Here are the three things that a great teacher will teach you:
1. To work with the Universal Principles
2. Guide you to cultivate the body awareness through senses and body movement
3. To integrate body, mind and soul and apply everything you learn in class to your daily life.
5 Reasons to Do Yoga:
[1] You will learn the relaxation principles.
Relaxed Upper Body; Strengthened Lower Body. (Jokyo Kajitsu)
Discovery of Hara (Lower Abdomen, Center of all energy centers)
[2] You will understand how to move and use your body more effectively.
The skeletal structure application (Discovery of the spine, the sits bones, hip sockets, arms sockets and shoulder blades in movement.) More efficient structural body.
[3] You will become aware of the working of the internal organs. This process will allow you to tap into the unconscious part of your body. Through working with the Internal Organs and Meridian lines, you will be able to release effectively negative emotions such as worry, doubt, fear, anxiety. Cultivate the healthier functional mind/body.
[4] Deep abdominal breathing and overall improvement with breathing will develop calmness and clarity of the mind. You will respond to new situations instead of reacting.
[ 5] Learning to chant and meditate, you will develop the major spiritual attitudes. Experiencing of interconnectedness, oneness, serenity, peace and of creating abundance.
Overall benefits:
Participants will strengthen their ability to be positive in their thinking; to detach from and release their habitual thoughts; to enjoy relaxation during their busy daily activities; to have
more efficient bodily functions; manage stress; reduce chronic physical discomforts; increase flexibility of the body and mind; experience more energy; be more intuitive and imaginative; increase memory and clear reasoning faculties and gain increased purposeful perception and improved concentration/will.
Fundamental Principles Practiced in East and West Yoga:
[1] Alignment of Body Structure with movement:
Training on Hara, Lower Abdominal, Hip Sockets, Arm Sockets, Spinal Alignment and all chakras.
[2] Energy Flow:
Qi Gong like Movements throughout session
Awareness: Effort, shape, grace
Effect: relaxation in motion; finding lines of energy force
[3] Meridian line and pressure points explorations:
Importance of working with toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands and arms.
[4] Working with a Partner and in a small group:
Mastermind Group practiced in integrating the body, mind and soul
[5] Attracting the Infinite Source of Intelligence and Supply:
Practice applying the Universal Laws to the body mind and soul integration.
Overview of East and West Yoga Practice:
[1] Sitting Posture:
comfortable cross-leg (Sukhasana)
lotus or half lotus (Padhasana)
[1 B] Pranayama (Breathing):
3 part deep breathing (Deegha Swasam)
Awareness: Sits bones developing roots into the ground.
Spine elect; vertebrae like a suspended bead necklace
Breath along the spine; energy flow
Effect: Calmness and shift in perception
[1C] Aum Mantra & Om Shant:
Peace, calmness, harmonious vibration. Oneness with the Creator
[2] Cat & Cow:
Awareness: coordination of breath with movement
Effect: Stimulation of central nerves, flexibility of spine, spinal alignment
[2B] Modification of Cat & Cow with leg movements
Awareness: Eye, spine, and leg movement coordination
Effect: Rhythm making, Hara (Lower abdominal energy center) development
[2C] Linear and Cross Lateral balance on hands and knees
Awareness: energy line support, differentiation
Effect: Stimulation and equilibrium of brain hemispheres
[3] Kidney Meridian exercise, modified spinal twist (Arddha matsyendrasana)
Awareness: Focus on kidneys
Effect: Kidney detoxification & strengthening
[4] Reclining on side with leg lifts:
[4A] variations of Pilates (Anantasana):
Variation of Buddhasanas & movements:
Awareness: Hip sockets & shoulder sockets
Initiation from Hara, Ying Meridian lines
Effect: tonification of sexual organs; hip socket opener
[4B] Balance on one hand and leg on side (Modified Vasisthasana):
Awareness: Balance, shoulder socket and lungs
Effect: Shoulder neck flexibility, lung stimulation, coordination
[5] Cobra, Low & High (Bhuujangasana):
Awareness: Neck & between shoulder blades
Effect: Shoulder/ neck muscles adjustment Elimination Improvement
[6] Bow, one leg, both legs or superman ( Dhanurasana):
Awareness: Entire length of spine
Effect: Stimulation to peristaltic patterns, tonification of pancreas
[7] Downward dog & Upward dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana & Urdhva Mukha Svanasana):
Awareness: V shape, gathering of energy in Hara
Effect : Flexibility, coordination, connection
[7B] Rapid alternating downward & upward dog motion in repetition of 10-20 times:
Only for very athletic people with open sacroiliac joints.
Effect: Strengthening and speed; contraction of abdominal organs
[8] Triangular pose with arm shoulder meridian movement (Trikonasana):
Awareness: energy line support, hip sockets, shoulder blades activation
Effect: relaxation of large diagonal muscles, Side flexibility of spine
[9] Sun Salutation 12 steps ( Soorya Namaskaram)
Awareness: the entire mind-body function, breathing coordination
Effect: Universal Awareness, elevation of consciousness level,
improvement on attitude and gratitude
[10] Relaxation/Observation Postures:
Savasana, Advasana, Child pose (Balasana)
Awareness: Letting go, acceptance and receiving
Effects: Total awareness, peace, harmony, high dimensional energy receiving
[11] Body Prayer 3 step Taichi like movement sequence:
To honor the four corners of the Planet Earth.
Adapted from Sister Miriam MacGillis at Genesis Farm,
Interfaith/ cross-cultural Program called “Earth Literacy”
[12] Zazen, Yogic Meditation & Bodhisattva Meditation & Sutra Chanting:
Special, Featured Meditation:
12 Step Meditation:
Each Step of the 12 Step Program is assigned to a specific guided meditation and a follow-up Yogic meditation. This is intended for those who have had addiction issues and are now enjoying sobriety and are in recovery. This is also intended for someone who has a friend, family member or relative who is afflicted with addiction issues. This is only open to those who attend a 12 Step Program.
Blogger’s Thoughts:
Yoga represents centuries of life philosophy and spiritual teaching. In America Yoga has been considered to be just another form of physical exercises. Yoga was enthusiastically met by those who like to challenge their body performance. For many years, a majority of men was not interested in Yoga. I believe that more and more people today are willing to learn Yoga as the Eastern philosophy and spirituality.
For many teachers of Yoga, teaching Yoga alone never generated a sufficient income. Especially for men who needed to support a family. For women, if they are supplementing as a second income earner or just needing a pocket money, teaching Yoga, that is what they love to do, has been wonderful.
Many professional in similar situations have found a great way to make money part time.
They can continue to teach and/or study and develop themselves personally and spiritually.
Watch this short video presentation to find out how.
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