Wednesday, May 23, 2012

YOGA AND MEDITATION Part 1

Yoga for the treatment of Hypertension

Yoga and meditation are the alternative means for hypertension treatment. It as been scientifically proven, that yoga and meditation are of great value in reducing blood pressure. It seems that they work on the peace of mind and balancing of the mind, body and spirit. Lets discuss Yoga first.

Yoga
 (Sanskrit, Pāli: yóga) refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs its practices. In Jainism it refers to the sum total of all activities—mental, verbal and physical.

Major branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the Samkhya tradition. Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of yoga, including Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.

The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings, and is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj", meaning "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite." Translations include "joining", "uniting", "union", "conjunction", and "means". An alternate root from which the word yoga may be derived is "yujir samadhau", which means "contemplation" or "absorption."

This translation fits better with the dualist Raja Yoga because it is through contemplation that discrimination between prakrti (nature) and purusha (pure consciousness) occurs. Outside India, the term yoga is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) or as a form of exercise. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy is called a yogi or yogini. (Yoga information as posted from Wikipedia)

As defined above, the word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga is originated. Yoga reflects the union between the mind, body and spirit.

What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.

Asana is only one of the eight "limbs" of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. In the West, however, the words asana and yoga are often used interchangeably.

About The Eight Limbs of Yoga

According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the ancient texts that is the basis for the philosophy behind yoga, there are eight “limbs” (Ashtanga in Sanskrit) of yoga. Each limb relates to an aspect of achieving a healthy and fulfilling life, and each builds upon the one before it. You may be surprised to hear that only one of the limbs involves the performance of yoga postures. Here is a description of the eight limbs.

1. Yama:
 Five ethical guidelines regarding moral behavior towards others: Ahimsa: Nonviolence, Satya: Truthfulness, Asteya: Nonstealing, Brahmacharya: Nonlust, Aparigraha: Noncovetesness

2. Niyama:
 Five ethical guidelines regarding moral behavior towards oneself: Saucha: Cleanliness, Santosa: Contentment, Tapas: Sustained practice, Svadhyaya: Self study, Isvara pranidhana: Surrender to God

3. Asana:
 Practice of yoga postures.

4. Pranayama:
 Practice of breathing exercises.

5. Pratyahara:
 Withdrawal of the senses, meaning that the exterior world is not a distraction from the interior world within oneself.

6. Dharana:
 Concentration, meaning the ability to focus on something uninterrupted by external or internal distractions.

7. Dhyana:
 Meditation, building upon Dharana, the concentration is no longer focused on a single thing but is all encompassing.

8. Samadhi
 : Bliss. Building upon Dhyana, the transcendence of the self through meditation. The merging of the self with the universe. Sometimes translated as enlightenment.

About Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga
 describes any of the physical practices of yoga. (Remember that yoga has eight limbs, only one of which, asana, involves doing yoga poses.) When you do Iyengar, this is hatha yoga; when you do Ashtanga, this is hatha yoga too. “Hatha yoga” can be used interchangeably with “yoga.”

Hatha yoga
 will likely be a slow-paced stretching session with some simple breathing exercises and perhaps seated meditation. This is a good way to learn basic poses, relaxation techniques, and become comfortable with yoga

WANT TO PRACTICE YOGA PROPERLY? Learn more about Yoga

The fact is that we live in an "exhausted" society. And I'm sure you've had first hand experience with the ever present "energy drain" of modern life. What a relief it is to learn that a simple physical practice of Yoga can give such an amazing energy boost. And not just a temporary jolt, but permanent improvement. To exercise yoga properly, I recommend you to learn more about Shape Shifter Yoga at this resourceful place, Just Click Here!  

Article by: Uno Birawan

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