Yoga means “to yoke” in Indian Sanskrit which translates to bringing together the body, mind, and spirit. It was developed over 6,000 years ago by the Rishis (sages) for the purpose of being able to meditate for long periods of time and many diverse practices have developed since then.
Kundalini yoga is known as the Raja (King) of all the yoga practices and involves rapid physical movements, breathwork (pranayama), and chanting (Kriyas).
“Hatha” means the balance between the sun (ha) and the moon (tha) in you, or the Pingala (masculine energy) and Ida (feminine energy) that are brought to balance. Hatha yoga is a gentle practice that focuses on static poses and is great for beginners. The asanas (postures) are designed to align and calm your body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga or Eight Limbed Path that was developed over 1,700 years ago by a man from India known as Patanjali which teaches a process for living a meaningful, joyful life filled with purpose and serve as guidelines for moral and ethical conduct, self-discipline, and one’s physical and spiritual health. It contains the Yoga Sutras, which are 196 Indian Sutras (threads) on the theory and practice of yoga and are said to be a pathway to enlightenment. Ashtanga yoga emerged in the early 20th century and was created by a man named T. Krishnamacharya. It was later developed and taught by his student Pattabhi Jois as a practice of yoga that incorporates the philosophy of The Eight Limbed Path and is a more rigorous practice than Hatha. Vinyasa Flow yoga is also a more modern practice that incorporates many of the aspects of both Hatha and Ashtanga and is a fast-paced energetic practice using “Sun Salutation” sequences.
The Eight Limbed Path
Yamas – environmental attitudes and ethics
Niyamas – self-reflective attitudes and virtuous behaviors
Asana – physical postures as a moving meditation
Pranayama – restraint or expansion of the breath
Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses and awareness
Dharana – single-pointed concentration
Dhyana – meditation and inward reflection
Samadhi – total integration and unification with the Divine
Benefits of Yoga and Meditation:
Physical – strength, balance, stability, better circulation, weight management, better stamina…
Mental – better focus and concentration, helps alleviate depression, fosters a positive mindset…
Emotional – happiness, calm, reduces stress and anxiety, balances emotions…
Spiritual – connection to a higher power, feeling of heightened consciousness, blissful state of being…