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What is Yoga?

The origin of Yoga and Mindfulness

The origin of the yoga technique goes back to ancient India thousands of years BC. 

The society of ancient India had a simple character. It were the old priests who had the responsibility to lead the people, to practice science and to ensure that the things in life were well-balanced divided, based on social justice.

The priests did not live within a structured religious order, nor did they necessarily lead a celibate life. In India one does not recognize an ecclesiastical and influential power, with a church leader to the head, in the way we do. Priests lived in that time as free people.

The priests had carved the rocks in a large hall, where they met each other. Furthermore each of them carved their own spot in the rock as personal room where they could just stand and lie. In Agra -India you still can find any of such carved rooms, dating from 900 AD. These places (monasteries) are located very remote and against mountain slopes. One can perhaps imagine that these priests were engaged in the science of life. They always are based on the unity of body and mind. In this high thinking the body was given an equal place. In this way a form of yoga - “Hatha yoga” (the physical side of yoga)- arise.

In 800 AD Tibetans visited North India and took yoga back to Tibet. And they developed their own form of yoga.

What does Yoga do with you?

When certain movements not only stimulate blood circulation, but also activate the lymphatic system, the entire hormonal system will be reached at the same time. This will trigger and refresh the whole nervous system and stimulate functioning of the brain optimally. It is therefore that we, as we have done yoga for a while, start feeling us very well in body and mind; and that is precisely woven into the whole yoga system.
By practicing Hatha Yoga, we learn to see the inner human and learn to observe better our own balance and own life. People can change in thinking, doing and acting and this creates a totality experience. We are able to play the leading role in our own life and become more aware of life around us. This level of consciousness gives the possibility to feel and formulate your own life. Because of this you will make better choices and you have the opportunity to feel happier. If you are happy you can also give more to others. The self-conscious in this process is a positive fact. This should not be confused with character traits by the environment as arrogance or selfishness.

 

Other forms of Yoga

There are multiple forms of yoga where the content otherwise or accents are otherwise. There were several currents in the yoga and to which different teachers gave their own content to the education.

Form Emphasis Control Meaning of the name
       

1 HATHAYOGA

 Breath Body and health Lowest form of yoga exercises in which physical means are used to achieve spiritual self-development.
a) Druyoga Breath Body and health Dru (means Northern Star)contains exercises from and focused on the heart chakra.
b) Iyengar-yoga Breath Body and health Yogi BKS Iyengar focuses on carrying out each physical exercise longer and correctly using blocks, chairs, belts, etc.
c) Bikramyoga Breath Body and health 26 yoga exercises in a reconstructed natural environment with a constant temperature of 37C. Focused on draining waste etcetera.
d) Zenyoga Breath Body and health Emphasis on meditation and stopping thoughts.
e) Ashtangayoga Breath Body and health Focused on a serie of exercises that are carried out without poses and with increasing difficulty. Developing muscle strength.
f) Poweryoga Breath Body and health Ashtangayoga exercises – are focused on developing muscle strength..
       

2 LAYAYOGA

 Will Brainpowe Solving-dissolving-equilibrium point Zero, where independence becomes homogeneous.
a) Bhaktiyoga Love Overall love/selflessness Devotional feelings, tolerance, overall love, people love.
b) Sakthayoga Energy Forces of nature Universal labour, the crown of the occult light.
c) Mantrayoga Sound Vibrating power of sound Power of sound, influenced by monotonous sound.
d) Yantrayoga Form Form creation Concept formation in body and mind .
       

3 DHYANAYOGA

 Thinking Controlling the thinking process Reflections in the transcendental.
       

4 RAJAYOGA

 Method Separating and binding capacity King. Controlling and constricting thoughts.
a) Jnanayoga Science Intellectual capabilities Knowledge, scientific formulation.
b) Karmayoga Activity Deliberate action Action. Law of cause and effect - action.
c) Kundaliniyoga Occult power Control of power Archetypes, memory of all time, occult powers.
d) Samadhiyoga Itself Control of the past Ecstatic condition (elimination of duality)

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