YOGA

Yoga is ancient Indian art which keeps body healthy. Yoga is also good for mind along with body. There are many benefits of Yoga.

• Practicing Yoga will help in increasing concentration and reducing stress.
• This is the best way to stretch whole body.
• Asanas will make body flexible
• Keeps muscles strong and active
• Flow of blood will be regulated
• Yoga makes breathing better

- This will fill the body with more oxygen
- Cleanses body by eliminating toxins

• Body and mind will be in harmony.

There are four different types of Yoga.

1. Karma Yoga

Karma Yogi/Yogini aims to eradicate ego and its attachments. They try to serve humanity without expecting any return. They try to see unity in diversity. Karma Yogi practices yoga by doing their daily work/job with right mental attitude.

2. Gnana Yoga

This requires acute knowledge. This Yoga is philosophical approach to spiritual evolution which describes the world as an illusion. Gnana Yoga is generally reputed as most difficult of four.

3. Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga includes practices like chanting, prayer and repetition of mantra. By these practices, emotional energy will be transmitted to devotion, directing anger, hatred and jealousy in a positive direction. Bhakta Yogi tries to see God in all.

4. Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is about asanas. Mainly this dictates balancing body in different postures and regulating breath. Raja Yoga is more like doing exercises with regulated breathing and balanced mind.

In modern days, many people refer to Raja Yoga as this includes more physical involvement. In this post, I am referring to the same while recommending classes.

In fitness centers there will be free classes where you can get started. I have been going to fitness center since couple of months. They have classes for yoga every day in different timings. Best timing for Yoga is early in the morning. If early morning is difficult to go, you can practice at any time.

*Reference: Yoga Mind and Body book by Swami Yogananda