by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 22, 2017 | Yoga
Raja is a Sanskrit word and its literal meaning is the king so Raja yoga means the king of yoga or the best of all types of yoga. The main aim of yoga is to get salvation or to reunite with the higher source of this universe. Raja yoga is the best way to be enlightened. Especially, raja yoga is meditation which controls our mind and leads us to the liberation.
Raja yoga seeks the discipline of our body and our mind. By controlling our thoughts, we can achieve the complete salvation in our life from this raja yoga. If we want to do yoga for the purpose of getting enlightenment in our life, this yoga can be the best choice.
Patanjali, the Hindu Classical writer of Yoga Sutras, focuses on the eight limbs of yoga which are very important ways to get enlightened. Patanjali is the first systematic writer of yoga in the history of Hindu philosophy. He focuses on the scientific process of yoga in his book. If we follow the path of Patanjali being sincere, we can surely get salvation in our life. All eight paths are very useful to apply in our life to attain our spiritual goal. If we can make yoga as our lifestyle just like Patanjali mentioned in Yoga Sutra, our life will not remain the same. He shows the exact way that cannot be ignored.
According to many yogis, Astanga yoga of Patanjali is the foundation of Raja yoga so we are discussing the eight limbs of yoga here. It is compulsory us to give the importance to every eight paths because all are practicable and significant to apply in our life. They have the reciprocal relationship among all of them. If we know eight paths of yoga, we can understand the yogic way of getting achieved our spiritual goal.
Yama
Yoga means to control the self. Controlling desires and other our habits we can start our journey in the field of Raja yoga. Yama gives us the self-esteem to be free from all the negative actions. The practice of non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, not accumulating the things more than we need in our life and purity way of life are branches of Yama.
Yama is the first step of the 8 stepped paths of yoga. If we can be perfect in controlling the self, we can go ahead to the path of liberation. For the practice of raja yoga, we have to be pure from our body and from our mind. If we can’t make our behavior positive, we never can start the higher journey of spirituality in our life.
Niyama
Niyama is the second step of the process in raja yoga. It is the discipline from outside and inside. In this step, the yogi starts to practice internal and external purification and habit of satisfaction with our life in which situation we are. He or she practices living in minimalism. Yogi focuses on the study of the real knowledge and surrenders him or her to the God. Yogi surrenders every action to the God. At first, it becomes so hard to apply 8 limbs of yoga in our life. after practicing in our daily life, slowly we can get mastery in each of the steps.
Asana
Asana is the third step in getting liberation. There are active and passive many postures in the world. It is very important to purify our body to be ready for the spiritual achievement. In raja yoga, the yogi uses the sitting postures to practice concentration. In the ancient time, Asana used to refer to the sitting postures but nowadays it becomes popular in Hatha yoga. We practice seating for a long time in a sitting posture. Ashana increases the capacity of being still.
Pranayam
Pranayam is the breathing exercise. It helps in raja yoga to go into the deeper level of the meditation. Raja yoga focuses on the meditation but it is not easy to practice raja yoga directly. We can practice pranayama first before meditation. It helps to be free from all the blockages. It originates the prana, the vital breath. Pranayama prepares our body to have the spiritual connection.
Pratyahara
Pratyahara is very important for our inner spiritual strength. In the way of our practice of Raja yoga, we have to be determined. It helps us not to distract from our spiritual goal in our life. By controlling our five sense organs, we follow the nature of our mind. Our unnatural mind leads us to the wrong way. We focus inward rather than the outer materialistic world. We have to try to be aware everything we do. We have to be calm from inside and we can hear the internal sound of the soul. That is the first step of the spiritual experience. We start to maintain our awareness in our daily life.
Dharana
Dharana is to focus on our thoughts and feelings. We can observe our thoughts and our state of mind. Our mind wants to distract but we have to bring our awareness again and again on our thought. If we cannot concentration on our thoughts and feelings, we can practice concentrating our body parts. Slowly, we can get mastery in the concentration. We have to focus only one thing to apply Dharana in our life. This is the last part of the yoga which we can do from our effort. After this, further two steps are not in our hand but we can practice Dharana as much as we can.
Dhyan
Dhayan means real meditation and it is not the part that we can learn or practice. It is the part of happening in our life. When we practice Dharana, we can be in the state of bliss. But we cannot say when it happens. When our mind becomes quiet and calm without any thoughts, it can happen to us automatically. When we are in our logical mind, meditation cannot happen in our life. When we leave all our efforts to be enlightened after practicing a long time in, Dhyana will have happened. In the meditation, the divine light comes to appear in our body. The experience of meditation doesn’t give us to be distracted from our yogic goal.
Samadhi
Samadhi is the state of complete bliss. It is the last destination of raja yoga and rest of all yoga types in the world. In this state, we unite with the Supreme Being. When we are in the state of Samadhi, we can be in the state of complete peace. We gain the knowledge of the entire universe. We can be liberated from our self and ego.
We can achieve complete freedom. Just life the river reaches the sea, we can reach our ultimate goal. Our spiritual goal has been achieved, when we are in the state of Samadhi. We can see the radiant light and heavenly sound. This state cannot be explained to give detailed information. We have to taste to know the taste of orange, we cannot understand by explaining the taste of orange.
The main purpose of every style of yoga is salvation. Raja yoga is an easy style of yoga that can be a very powerful tool to achieve our spiritual goal. If we can be sincere doing this yoga, this yoga surely leads to the way to purification. When we get to the supreme state, the path will not become important. Raja yoga can be the best choice in our life because this yoga is easy to do whenever and wherever we are.
by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 19, 2017 | Yoga
Sivananda Yoga was founded by Swami Vishnudevananda. His guru was Swami Sivananda (1887-1963). Swami Sivananda taught a synthesis of all the formal doctrines of Yoga. He was born in 1887 in Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu, South India. His childhood name was Kuppuswami. He was a brilliant boy at studying, gymnastics and naturally inclined toward spiritual and religious practices.
His parents were devotees of Lord Siva. He authored more three hundred books on Yoga and health. Before renouncing worldly life for the spiritual path he was a medical doctor. He was one of the greatest Yoga masters of the 20th century. Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize.The main essence of his teaching are: serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize. He sent his one of the disciple Swami Vishnudevananda to the west to spread the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta.
He remains a world authority on Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga. He created International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. His bestsellers book is “The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga and Meditation and Mantras. Sivananda Yoga defines Yoga as “union of the mind, body, and spirit with the Divine and while this refers to a certain state of consciousness both individual and Universal, it is also a method to help one reach that goal.”
It teaches traditional and easy learning system that aims at naturally achieving the goal. It focuses on creating healthy body and mind that leads to spiritual evolvement. Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnudevananda summarized the yoga philosophy in Five Points.
FIVE POINTS OF YOGA ACCORDING TO SIVANANDA YOGA:
A) Proper Exercise (Asanas) – Asana is the third limb of yoga. It helps to develop a strong and healthy body. It enhances flexibility and improves circulation and immunity.
12 BASIC ASANAS
There are varieties of asanas. Among them, 12 asanas are given more priority.
- Headstand (Sirshasana)
- Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)
- Plough (Halasana)
- Fish (Matsyasana)
- Sitting Forward Bend (Paschimothanasana)
- Cobra (Bhujangasana)
- Locust (Shalabhasana)
- Bow (Dhanurasana)
- Spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
- Crow (Kakasana) or Peacock (Mayurasana)
- Standing forward bend (Pada Hasthasana)
- Triangle (Trikonasana)
Asana suggests that pose should be balanced and comfortable, stable yet relaxed helping a practitioner to become more conscious of their body, mind, and environment. Asanas open the energy channels, chakras and psychic centers of the body. It increases the flexibility of the spine, strengthening bones and stimulating the circulatory and immune systems.
Along with proper breathing, asanas calm the mind and reduce stress. Regular practice ensures overall physical and mental health and the possible prevention of diseases. Conscious practice of asana, with proper pranayama, provides a mental exercise in concentration and meditation.
B) Proper Breathing (Pranayama)- Conscious breathing reduces stress and many diseases. Conscious breathing automatically corrects the way of breathing.
C) Proper Relaxation- It reliefs the body from going into overload mode, removing worries.
D) Proper Diet- Natural, healthy and vegetarian foods give a positive effect on the mind and body. It is also good for the environment and other living beings.
E) Positive Thinking (Vedanta) and Meditation (Dhyana)– Vedanta study and meditation practice are true keys to achieve peace of mind and eliminating negativity in our lives.
Sivananda Yoga talks about four types of yoga:
In order to achieve stronger and healthier body as well as a way of living that promotes peace and mindfulness to counteract day-to-day trials and tribulations, there are four paths in yoga. All these paths lead to the same place- union with the Divine. These paths give different options that fit different human temperaments and approaches to life. Whatever path is fit for a person, that path can be chosen.
- Karma Yoga( the yoga of action) states to act without egoist expectations in all activities of daily life -work, office, home, school. It says- just enjoy on work but not expect for fruit. This path is better for the person, who is outgoing and enjoys a certain sense of spiritual activism to help others.
- Bhakti Yoga(the path of devotion): Some people have emotional nature and enjoy prayer. They like worshipping and seeking God through unconditionally loving and helping others. Bhakti yoga is fit for this type of person. Bhakti Yoga normally follows kirtan or singing/chanting the names of Lord. Bhakti yogi enjoys singing and dancing on spiritual songs as well.
- Raja Yoga(the Science of the mind) takes us on a comprehensive journey to understand mind, imaginations and thinking patterns. We can be able to gain control of the physical body and the life force energy (prana) through mental control. This is good for the people who are interested in meditation and its effects on the mind.
- Jnana Yoga(the yoga of knowledge): It states intellect, wisdom and knowledge are the foundation for spiritual development. The person considered a good path for those with strong intellectual tendencies as it requires a high level of strength of will and mind. So this is not easy for all. The base of jnana yoga is Vedanta. It is good for the jnana yogi if they understand some other paths very well. This helps to broaden the path to move along towards Self-realization or profound spiritual awakening.
by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 18, 2017 | Yoga
There are many paths to get enlightened in Hindu philosophy. We can find mainly four types of yoga in Hindu scriptures; Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Gyana Yoga. Among them, Karma Yoga is the action-oriented way of yoga. In this yoga, we try to get perfection in the action. In Shrimad Bhagvat Geeta, a holy book of Hinduism, it is written that we should work without any attachment and expectation of the fruit of the action. When we can work without any desire for anything then we become the Karma Yogi.
Karma yoga is the simple yoga to be aware of the action what we are doing. It focuses on involving in all activities of our life in the society but we have to leave any attachment of the result. We have to take our life as a drama and ourselves as an actor. Just like we act in the drama and we forget, we have to play our role of our part in this world. Most of the spiritual scriptures focus on the principle that we are in this world but we are not from here.
There are a lot of yoga styles but everyone has their capacity to adopt one of them. According to their special quality, they can choose one of them as their best yoga technique. In the context of this time, most of the people may want to practice Karma Yoga because this era is a busy era with day to day lifestyle. Everyone is busy with their work and can’t manage the time to do yoga. In this situation, we can apply Karma Yoga in our life because for Karma Yoga we don’t have to give extra time to practice. We can practice this yoga in our work what we are doing.
Karma yogis should think this world as a drama and play their role with a lot of happiness. They don’t have to analyze or evaluate the action. They do unselfish actions and help who are in need. They work for their livelihood and for helping others. It is the practice of yoga for the betterment of others rather than to the self. Their prime aim becomes to do something to be enlightened according to their Dharma. We always focus on being selfless in this yoga.
Karma Yogis don’t separate the action from their life but they work according with their previous collection of karma. Our main fault is that we concern very much in the result of the action but that types of action are not Karma yoga. Karma yoga is the yoga in which we don’t have any expectation about the result of the action.
We don’t have to work with our ego in this world to be karma yogi. We dedicate our actions to the God every time. In our every action, we see the God. Karma yoga is the way of salvation through our karma or our deeds. Salvation is the main goal of every yoga types but their path can be different. Karma yoga is the easier path to get enlightened in this world to the people who knows every detail about karma yoga.
Karma yoga is very helpful for our mental health. We do every deed for getting the positive result but if we get negative result, we become sad. If we do our deeds without concerning the result, we can be happy. The result oriented deed always invites sadness, frustration, and confusion. The deed without any expectation always leads us to the perfection in our action. Geeta says that getting perfection in action is yoga.
Karma yoga focuses on only the factor how we do the action but it doesn’t attach with the result. We regret after doing something. If we can be aware before doing the action or when we are doing the action, we don’t have to regret. Karma yoga always tells to find the happiness while doing something in our life.
Karma yoga is the best way to the people who are over active in their life because they can’t stay without doing anything. If they know the art of action then they can be happy by doing the action what they are doing.
Karma yoga believes that it is not our right to aspect anything by our deed but our right is to work perfectly. And the amazing fact is that if we don’t aspect the result, we can get more positive result than when we aspect from our action. It is a contradiction in our life, not only a contradiction but also the ridiculous. If we want something, that becomes very hard to find. If we don’t want something, that starts to come near to us.
Karma yoga wants to teach us how to be egoless. Ego is the main barrier in the path of enlightenment. To decrease the ego, we have to practice slowly this karma yoga and finally we can be egoless which can be the state of salvation. Expecting something by our action is the ego and egoless action don’t demand anything for the action. Egoless person becomes happy either they get something or they don’t get something from their action.
Karma yoga is the part of positive psychology in this scientific era. Researchers have proved that who is less attached with the result, he or she can be happy than who is attached with the result of the work. To be free from stress and mental discomfort, we have to apply karma yoga in our daily life. We have to be happy in the process of doing something not in the outcome of the action what we do.
In many cases of the famous people of the world, we find that they do anything in their life, they do for happiness. They enjoy their work and don’t wait the result to be happy. The action without any expectation leads towards the great happiness. But the result follows us at any cost because it is the law of action. The law is that what we sow, so we reap.
Lord Krishna in Geeta says, “Who don’t attach with the result of the action and who fulfill his or her responsibility in the life, he is a good yogi.” In this world, we should work and we should not attach with the result of our deeds. In this way, we can be a karma Yogi in this world. We are very lucky to be Karma Yogi because we can experience every part of our life but we become free from our Karma by our knowledge.
Karma yogi doesn’t take anything as a serious matter because he or she knows that this world is like a stage to act their role. If we play our part of the role with the knowledge that we are performing our role in this world, then the life becomes easier than before. We have to know the fact of this world before applying this yoga. If we get the right knowledge then only we can start the path of this yoga. Karma yoga can be very useful for the stress management because stress comes from the expectation. Karma yoga teaches us to be far from any expectation and desire from the work.
by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 7, 2017 | Yoga
Himalayan Region was the Origin of Yoga
Yoga is believed to be invented by the Hindu god Shiva whose inhabitant supposed to be in the Himalayan region in a mountain named Kailash Parvat. God Shiva had developed 84 lakhs (8 million 4 thousand) poses of yoga and he taught yoga to his wife Parbati at the first time ever. The system of yoga was transferred by many yogis generation to generation. Yoga is the system of balancing the human consciousness.
Yoga can help us to make the harmony of body, mind, and spirit. The Himalayan region is the best place to practice yoga. From the ancient period, yoga has been doing in the Himalayan region by the great Yogis. Yoga can be the great blessing of our life because it gives the opportunity to find the most important output of our life, salvation.
Reasons to practice yoga in the Himalayan region
Himalayan region is full of the green forests and we can find there snow-capped mountains all around us. There are a lot of trees which gives us the pure Oxygen to breathe. The pure oxygen can purify our body and refresh our mind. The environment and the climate are very suitable to practice yoga in the Himalaya region. The calmness of this region becomes the best setting for meditation which can lead us to the deeper level. The pure air becomes the best opportunity to do a breathing exercise. Nature itself helps us to be inspired and to be in the deeper level. This is totally different from the day to day life of the city.
The city life is very irritating to most of the people so people seek the place where they find the peace of the mind. People who live in the busy life of the city want to get rid of that hectic life. They want to be in the place where they can forget all the busy activities of the day to day life, for that purpose the Himalaya region is the best place. If we can get the chance to go to the Himalayan region every year for some days to get refreshed, that will energize us to be inspired in our life.
Yoga is the way to find out the source of the self and real nature of the human. The real nature of outside can be found in the natural background of the place. The outer nature can be the path to find out the real nature of the inside. Himalaya region is the best place to re-energize the inner self. The Himalayan country gives us the most beautiful scenery and pure air with a peaceful environment for the yoga practice. The real nature gives the beauty to our eyes and that beauty of the outside is the path to search the beauty of inside.
It is believed that many yogis are meditating in different places of the mountainous area. Some of them have been meditating for more than 500 years by praying for the better earth in coming generation. Muktinath and Gosaikunda are the holy places of Nepal where many people go to worship and many yogis are staying to meditate. Those places are very suitable places for doing yoga. Not only great yogis but also we can go the places like that for the short period of time to practice yoga. We can experience the different aspect of life by doing yoga in the Himalayan region which places are holy as well.
Nepal is known as a Himalayan country because it is very rich in mountains and the highest mountain of the world Mt. Everest is here. Among 14 higher than 8,000 meters mountains of the world, 8 are in Nepal. So, Nepal is the country, where we can find the good environment to do yoga, the Himalayan region. There are Himalayan regions in Nepal where we can go to do yoga.
Yoga becomes very popular in this era and we find doing yoga by the people everywhere. Yoga itself is the medium of purification of our body and mind. If we do yoga in the pure air, the purpose of yoga can be achieved more easily than in anywhere else. The pure air can be found in the Himalayan region. So, Himalayan region is the perfect place to do yoga.
We can see that the people who live in the Himalayan region are stronger than who live in other regions. The Himalayan region can provide us the organic food and environment which lead us to the way to perfection. The climate of the Himalayan region is cold so this region is very suitable to do yoga. We can do yoga in the cold place with strong and we cannot be tired fast.
Nepal is also the original place from where yoga has been started. This place is also very rich in herbs and vegetations, rivers and water resource. We cannot ignore the beauty of this country in both ways internally and externally. This Himalayan country is spreading the message of humanity and peace all around the glove. In this region, the energy of the Himalayan region is more powerful for doing yoga in Nepal.
Peaceful mind leads us to the eternality and ecstasy. The pure place can energize our body and mind. This Himalayan region gives us the mental peace and satisfaction.
Himalayan region is the home of spirituality so this place can satisfy our spiritual quest. We can take more advantage by doing yoga in the Himalayan region more than anywhere else. Himalayan region is so clean that we can be fresh all the time. The Himalayan region gives us the strength and power to increase our stretch of the body. There is an active lifestyle in the Himalaya region and this active lifestyle makes the people more strong than who are from another region.
In the Himalayan region, the stress rate is less so we can concentrate on yoga. In the city, the stress cannot give us fully involved in the yoga. The busy life cannot give us to focus on yoga in the city. In this way, we can tell that Himalayan region is the best region for yoga practice.
The people of the Himalayan region are very friendly and helping. Their spirit is pure and they respect the people more than other people do. The behavior of the people helps us to be grateful which becomes beneficial to go into deeper level while doing yoga.
The beautiful surrounding is the real inspiration for our life which can lead us to the great pleasure. The pleasure can create the spiritual curiosity. In the Himalayan region, we can feel the earthly touch which is the wonderful experience. The research has showed that the people who live in Himalayan region can live longer than the people who live in the lower land. The people from the Himalayan region are active than from any other place.
Himalayan region is the cleanest place which provides us the great satisfaction in our life. Doing yoga itself gives us the great benefit in our life; if we do yoga in the Himalayan region we get double satisfaction.
by Tirtha Acharya | Dec 3, 2017 | Yoga
Restorative Yoga Introduction
Restorative yoga is a type of yoga which focuses on the relaxation of the body, calmness of the mind and healing from physical and mental diseases. If we want to know the history of Restorative yoga, we find that this yoga is the part of V. K. S. Iyengar yoga. This yoga is especially for the people who want to do the yoga without any pain and discomfort. It is the yoga which is very effective for the people who are ill and injured.
This yoga became very popular in the 1970s among Americans, especially with celebrities. The credit for making it popular around the world goes to the teacher Judith Lasater, a student of Iyengar. It is the solution for the day to day busy life of the modern age. It can maintain the balance between the spiritual world and materialistic world.
Benefits of Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga is especially for relaxation of the body and mind. It is very effective to the people who want to do yoga very slowly and with little effort. In this yoga, we stay in a pose longer period of time in comfort postures using some support. It is very useful to release the stress and tension from our mind. We do only five or six postures during our whole sequence. The body should be relaxed and comfortable in this yoga while we do postures. We can listen very gentle music combined with the guided meditation by our teacher. We can use blankets or anything to make the postures more comfortable.
This yoga is believed to increase the immune system and the healing power of natural force. When the natural force of healing works in our body, all the diseases slowly start to disappear. It maintains the heartbeat and blood presser of our body. It is very beneficial to the patient with anxiety, headaches, insomnia and other stress-related diseases. By this yoga, we can achieve physical, mental and emotional relaxation.
It can help us to seek the solution of the problems in our daily life like fatigue, divorce, loss of job, the death of beloved. It can be the guidance of life on the right path. If we want to make some changes in our lives to the positive direction, this yoga can be the best choice.
Poses used in Restorative Yoga
In restorative yoga, the postures are the same like in normal yoga but this yoga has its unique qualities those are the support of props and to stay for a long period of time in a single posture. Warm up is also very important in this yoga. For the warm-up, we can do the sun salutation or any simple type of Vinyasa. After the warm-up, we do poses. Poses are done by holding for 10 or 15 minutes in a single pose. The postures should be comfortable to do.
We do simply some following postures in Restorative yoga.
- Legs against
- Child’s Pose
- Reclining Bound Angle
- Savasana (Relaxation)
Props of Restorative Yoga
When we do restorative yoga, we use a blanket or any types of support which is called props. Props make us more comfortable to perform restorative yoga. Simply, we use bolsters, pillows, blankets, chairs, straps, and blocks to make the pose perfect.
The main aim of using props is to provide the support for the body. We have to consider using proper size of the prop by concerning the pose which we are doing. These types of props help us to make our body comfortable while doing yoga for the longer period of time. In this yoga, we stay in a pose for the longer period of time without moving. We have to use proper props so that our body can feel easy and comfortable.
We surrender our body and mind in the pose by using props. How much effective we can make the support, more we can go into a deeper level or feel relaxed. While doing this yoga, our mind should be quiet so that the environment becomes peace and quiet. If the props are perfect, our purpose of doing restorative yoga can be fulfilled.
Why should we do restorative yoga?
Today the life of the people becomes very complex and this complexity makes our lifestyle very busy. This era’s main feature is the rushing life. Our quality of life is decreasing in the stress-related aspect. Most of the people are suffering from some types of tension in their life. The pace of life becomes so fast that if we cannot run at that speed, we cannot think we are living.
This restorative yoga is very useful to the people who are suffering from physical and mental illness and any types of injury. The most beautiful part of this yoga is that it can be the good solution to the mental stress and the restlessness of the mind. In this yoga, we focus on the breathing, while doing postures. This helps us to be free from all the stresses and tensions. Concentrating on the breathing makes us aware of our thoughts which help us to be less stressful.
In the ancient time, yoga students spent their time doing single pose for the longer period of time and master gave new posture when a student became perfect in the previous posture. But, now the teacher gives all types of poses in a single session. We can grow slowly the capacity to stretch our body by this yoga. It is not good to stretch our body fast. We can be well relaxed in the pose, we may fall asleep. It is good to sleep doing yoga because it can make us stress-free. When we can able to relax the nervous system, all the stresses can be eliminated.
In Restorative yoga, we don’t force to do postures. We do the postures gently in a comfortable way. This yoga is gentle yoga and passive yoga in the sense that it is done passively. There are many types of yoga but almost all have active postures in their courses. This yoga focuses on the relaxation and peace of mind. It makes our restless mind restful. It is designed to increase the flexibility of the body very slowly.
When students practice more with props, they can remove the support when they can do the postures easily without any support. The time takes to open the tight muscles. When we are able to do the poses with the bolsters very nicely then we can do other hard postures. This yoga doesn’t tell the students to force in doing postures but it tells them to do as easily as they can. It increases the stretch on our body without any hard effort. It is the natural way of opening the body muscles.
Restorative yoga is related to the body and mind in the same range. By focusing on the breathing that we take, it leads us towards the mental stillness and by staying motionless; it brings us into the stillness of our body. In this way, we can make our body and mind alert and aware. There may be a soft music in the class, which adds the beauty of the calmness. The voice of teacher can be the real inspiration in performing yoga. Teacher guides the students throughout the class which helps them to concentrate on their breathing.
by Tirtha Acharya | Sep 12, 2017 | Yoga
What is Jivamukti Yoga?
Jivamukti Yoga is the combination of physical, ethical and spiritual practice which combines traditional Hatha style with intensive vinyasa-flow incorporating the five principles Shastra, bhakti, ahimsa, nada, and dhyana. Jivamukti Yoga is a method developed by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984. It also has emphasized the idea of animal rights, veganism, environmentalism, and social activism.
Jivamukti Yoga is a synthesized practice of different tenets of yoga philosophy. The word Jivamukti is combination two other words, Jiva and Mukti. The word Jiva means ‘an individual living soul’ and Mukti means ‘liberation’. The ‘liberation from the cycle of death and birth’ is generally understood as Jivamukti. In other words, Jivamukti literally means ‘liberation while living’.
Because of its five central tenets, Jivamukti yoga has received its distinction and difference from many other styles of yoga in spite of its practice of asana, pranayama, and meditation as mutual to many other popular yoga styles. The elements it has approved as its’ core aspects are Shastra (Scriptures), Bhakti (Devotion), Ahimsa (non-violence), Nada (Music), and Dhyana (Meditation).
Five Canons of Jivamukti Yoga
The Shastra Jivamukti talks about are some original Sanskrit texts such as Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads. In addition to the exploration and study of these four holy texts, Jivamukti also emphasizes the learning of Sanskrit language.
As its second prime principle, Jivamukti states about Bhakti. It’s the act of devoting oneself or surrendering oneself in the lotus feet of the lord physically, mentally and psychologically. Jivamukti Yoga doesn’t particularly mention the name of God whom one needs to follow or praise or devote. But it mainly talks about the action of devoting oneself beyond the self-ego. The act of humility and devotion in front of the God whoever one believes in is the significant aspect of Jivamukti Yoga.
Ahimsa is the third among the five vital features of Jivamukti Yoga. Ahimsa means ‘non-violence’. It is the first characteristic of Yama, the universal conduct, among four other; Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha. Ahimsa, as described in Patanjali Yoga Sutra, refers to the act of being harmless not only in physical level but also in mentally and orally which called Kayik, Manasik, and Vachik.
The idea of being non-violent is not only confined to the human beings but also to the animals, all the living creatures focusing on the vegetarianism both for karmic purification as well as for the environmental health for the future generation in the earth.
Jivamukti Yoga adopts Nada as its fourth traits in the practice. Nada encompasses the act of chanting, listening deeper sound, inspirational music to lead one into the state of finding oneself in connection with that eternal sound which is believed to have existed in everything. Jivamukti Yoga also includes the chanting of Sanskrit mantras and chants. Following the main goal of yoga i.e. to find the inner sound ‘Om’ or the universal sound within oneself, Jivamukti also integrates the listening the inner deeper sound.
The aspect of Dhyana imparted in Jivamukti yoga mainly focuses on observing the things that are going on in our mind. It specifically incorporates the idea of being an observer to see the hustle and bustles of the mind as a meditation practitioner. One is expected to go through the practice of meditation in Jivamukti Yoga.
Jivamukti Yoga asserts the practice of Dhyana in its five main aspects making it a way to enhance the inner tendency and thought the pattern of a mind and eventually ceasing one to identify with those thoughts and tendencies. It also tries to lead one to the belief that one is higher than the thoughts and tendency.
Types of Classes in Jivamukti Yoga
Open Class
Jivamukti Open classes are basically focused on an essay which is under the category of ‘Focus of the Month’ by either David Life or Sharon Gannon. Exploring the yoga and its’ numerous aspects such as asana, pranayama, chanting, mantras, music, meditation, Jivamukti Open classes tries to embrace all. The majority of time is consumed by the asana practice especially vinyasa flow adding some vigorous asanas.
Basic Class
Jivamukti Basic class is designed for consisting four different chapters in each week. Starting the first week with standing asanas, it follows the forward backing, backward bending and lastly inversion and meditation. Open classes mainly focus on vinyasa while the Basic class works on alignment.
Beginner Vinyasa Class
Beginner Vinyasa class is mainly targeted to offer the underlying principles of Vinyasa and how it works. It is a good way to begin the journey of yoga. In this class, asana sequences are presented in slower and detailed manner than in Open and Spiritual Warrior classes.
Spiritual Warrior Class
Jivamukti’s third style of yoga is mainly designed for the people having less and certain time to practice yoga. In this class, chanting, asana with warm up, sun salutation, pranayama, meditation are structured to conduct in a class at a pace rather than trying to go with discourse.
In-Class Private Class
Jivamukti has its fourth style of yoga class which mainly maintains the traditional belief of yoga which has to be dealt with one to one. It specifically focuses on dealing with a single person and taking one to the open class as an assistant of Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher. It offers both opportunities; to learn individually as well as to experience the open class. At the end of each In-Class Private, one is given the massage while in savasana with deep relaxation.
Meditation Class
Jivamukti Yoga’s sixth style classes, in particular, emphasizes the three steps; choose a seat, be still and focus. It’s all about silent repetition of the mantra assimilating with the ingoing and outgoing breath as a form of meditation. It’s the practice of realizing the supreme self initially observing the combination of the body with breath and mind and thought and then letting go of the identification of the body and mind. The vital stand on which Jivamukti is based on is its ultimate goal to realize the liberation or the enlightenment.
History of Jivamukti Yoga
With the hope of the better world, better life and harmonious relationship among all the living and non-living things in the world, Jivamukti Yoga was coined with the brilliant mind and honest aim of the brighter world by two inspiring and wonderful yoga seekers named David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984.
By the direct inspiration and connection of Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, and Swami Nirmalananda, these two people collected and combined different theories and aspects of yoga to bring it in the name of Jivamukti Yoga.
While being a dancer and musician Sharon Gannon happened to meet her yoga-partner at a program conducted at the restaurant. Actually, she had started learning yoga since 1969. The coincidence to meet with her partner of yoga journey took place in the decade of 80s. The owner of the restaurant named David Life came to be the spiritual journeyer of her life as well as the devout and sincere supporter of the yoga journey that both of them continued together since then.
They visited many times to India together with the sheer devotion and dedication to enhance the yogic life-experience and insights. The wisdom and wonder of Yoga were taken in their body, mind, and spirit to make it expand in the United States. They set up Jivamukti Yoga Society in the East Village of New York City.
Currently, Jivamukti has been one of the most comprehensive and elaborative styles of yoga which has attempted to include not only the trendy aspect of asana but also pranayama, meditation, mantra chanting, scriptures and learning the Sanskrit language. Moreover, Jivamukti also approves the life of veganism, humanity, and non-violence as its strict elements of yoga.
Benefits of Jivamukti Yoga
- Jivamukti yoga is the best practice for flexibility and strength.
- Jivamukti Yoga helps to improve the habit of breathing and overall breathing gets improved along with the strength of the lungs.
- Since Jivamukti Yoga tries to encompass the practice of asana, pranayama, and meditation in relation to the health, happiness, and spirituality, sense of wellness is experienced.
- Jivamukti Yoga helps to lower the blood pressure.
- For better respiration process, Jivamukti Yoga can help you a lot.
- Jivamukti Yoga can be a better practice for relieving the anxiety, stress, frustration caused by the environment, lifestyle or whatever may be the cause.
- Mental clarity and the intelligence quadrant can be improved by the regular practice of Jivamukti Yoga.
- Jivamukti Yoga helps to develop the feeling of humanity, compassion, and love with you.
- It also works on overall strength and improvement of physical, mental, and psychological health.
- It offers the learning environment for ancient yogic texts as well as the Sanskrit language.
- Jivamukti Yoga includes the knowledge and understanding of mantra chanting, singing, and music as its part of practice which has greater benefits for your heart.
- Jivamukti Yoga teaches and inspires one to be vegan as it has been one of the prime goals of Jivamukti Yoga Method.
- Jivamukti Yoga encourages to adopt an equally approve other aspects of yoga besides asana. It has indeed taken high effort and time for other aspects of yoga.
- Jivamukti Yoga can be a complete course or study of Yoga for many people who are in search of an in-depth and explorative study of the ancient philosophy of Yoga in relation to the modern world.
- Jivamukti Yoga has both practical as well as philosophical ground to discuss the idea of yoga. It always opens the environment of mutual, healthy and harmonious relationship with all the people all around the world.
