Yoga Meditation – Discover The Art And Science of Self Realization Through Self-Awareness!
Yoga meditation is the art and science of remaining in a state of union without the distraction of thoughts. The meditator overcomes the false perception of separation and finds himself in the awareness of union.
It is a form of Raja Yoga. Yoga Meditation technique involves a systematic viewing, acceptance, training and understanding of the respective levels of our being. The goal is to coordinate and integrate those aspects of ourselves, so that we can ultimately experience the all-pervading center of consciousness.
“Yoga meditation” is actually not a separate part of Yoga. But, this phrase is used to distinguish between yoga meditation techniques as a complete system of self-realization and the popular belief of Yoga being just a couple of physical postures and exercises for a better health.
The fact is that, Yoga or Meditation Yoga is a process that is complete unto itself, and only a small (but useful) part of it relates to the physical body.
Meditation techniques of Yoga or simply “Yoga” involves systematically working with our body, senses, the various levels of mind, breath and gradually moving towards the center of consciousness.
It makes use of various practices such as contemplation, meditation, mantra and prayer; and is holistic in nature. Yoga Nidra is one of the easiest and highly effective yoga meditation and relaxation technique.
The final goal of meditation & yoga is to experience the eternal, pure and absolute center of consciousness or God. This can be done by overcoming the sense of separation and being in the awareness of union for long durations.
The word yoga means “to join” or “to be one with”. It means to be in a state of awareness of oneness or un-dividedness of the various aspects of yourself with the universal consciousness. The interesting thing is that they were never divided in the first place.
Yoga and meditation practices are not a religion or a belief system. The primary source for learning the practices and science of the meditation technique yoga, meditation & meditation techniques is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Vijay Kumar Raisinghani is an avid proponent of the use of easy and simple meditation techniques for a healthier stress-free living. Besides being an Active meditator, his interests include Spirituality, Meditation, Buddhism and Zen.
Yoga is beyond an alternative form of therapy, a physical exercise routine or a breathing technique. It has more to offer than this. Yoga is also about preparing the mind, body and soul for meditation. In fact yoga and mediation goes hand in hand and was formulated in ancient India for meditation by the sages. Meditation is the state of mind to accomplish spirituality. Yoga helps a stressed out mind to relax and calm down in order to do the meditation practice.
Philosophy of yoga and meditation- the Patanjali yoga philosophy is based on “astanga yoga”, the eight limbs. Yoga meditation also describes the five state of human mind. The initial state of mind is disturbed, bewildered and distracted. They are hindrances in healthy growth of mind and body. Concentration and balance is achieved through yoga meditation postures.
Yoga meditation technique-
There are numerous ways to learn yoga meditation techniques. The main aim of all these yoga meditation practice is attainment of self-realization. Yoga is a science; the techniques are ways to develop the skills in order to meditate so as to discover about self within. Here is explained a step by step yoga mediation technique.
Relaxing the body for yoga meditation-
In this yoga meditation the body is relaxed with the help of yoga postures and relaxation exercises like yoga nidra or corpse pose and also Hatha yoga postures. One grows and absorbs with more and more practice of yoga meditation exercises. The main aim in any of this technique is to relax the body whenever needed.
Sitting straight posture for yoga meditation-
There are several postures in yoga. Swastika Sana, siddhasana, sukhasansa are some of the postures. It may take years to develop and refine the yoga meditation poses. Adjustments in arms, legs and feet can be done for yoga meditation. The aim is to develop comfortable seating posture with head, neck, trunk and body straight.
Breathing process for yoga meditation-
Awareness is important for breathing. Observing the breadth when to pause, inhale and exhale can be learnt with pranayama, kapalbhati, anulom vilom etc. Proper breathing practice is the essence of any yoga meditation.
Thought process by yoga meditation-
Instead of eliminating the thoughts try to ponder and contemplate on the neutral aspects. Yoga meditation lies with letting go and free flow of thoughts instead of repression and emotions. Introspect and discriminate on the train of thoughts through yoga meditation.
Promoting thoughts by yoga meditation-
The next step is towards assuaging the karmas and samskar with promotion of good thought. The good thoughts are reinforced into will power and finally into actions. They are implemented in day to day life.
Not allowing being disturbed in yoga meditation-
Self-control and equability is accomplished without getting wavered from any kinds of external as well as internal disturbances. Maintaining equanimity expands in due course of time, in stages in yoga meditation.
All these yoga mediation techniques work together for attainment of supreme self.
Jay Franco has been a Yoga enthusiast since an early age. He is constantly trying to find practical ways of implementing this ancient knowledge into his Western lifestyle.
Patanjali Yoga Sutra is a terse statement of a truth in Sanskrit literature. It consists of 195 basic guidelines for spiritual enlightenment. It is still valid for three thousand years.It is a philosophy not a religion. Yoga accepts all religions and believers without tilt. This yoga explains how the collective consciousness is achieved through self-realization of internal autonomy. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is not opposed to any religion or other technical understanding and experience of being inside.
The Yoga of Patanjali, it is love and the pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline. He studied the nature, causes or principles of reality of the human being based on logical reasoning rather than any religious belief. It concerns the secret of metaphysics of mind and its thoughts and consciousness and how to become free of meaning and united with his inner self. Yoga postures are merely its first stage.
It defines God (Ishwara) is actually the state of the Ultimate Reality, a state of collective consciousness of all living beings.. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali does not defend a God personified in various forms and names of different religions.
It focuses more on self-realization that the perception of any god. The practice of yoga supports basic moral rights contained in the Koran, the holy book of Islam, the Christian Bible, Gita of Hinduism such as compassion, humility, forgiveness, authenticity etc. It also supports the basic practice of self-disciple, like contentment, a sense of training and inner exploration through meditation. It also supports the basis of meditation in Buddhism.
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is regarded as the basic text on the system of yoga postures, breathing and yoga meditation, yoga. This is a guide to good living life with any path of life. It does not define yoga postures, breathing and meditation and yoga allows you to research what is best in your mind.
Any fixed posture while sitting or standing, in which you are comfortable taking your mind is ok. Many yoga postures commercially available on the Internet have no reference in Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. Yoga Sutra wants perfection of breathing meditation incoming and out coming and resounding. To achieve this perfection, any breathing exercise like you, is ok.
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali gives very practical stage by stage meditation, since the study of thought, freedom from negative thoughts and positive thoughts and, ultimately, the process of thought itself. To this end, secret guidance is available from it and strategy from good Yoga book. Onward freedom from selfishness and to witness and absorb into the consciousness of it comes to those who have faith in him and continue to practice until he becomes impulsive.
Patanjali Yoga is similar to Buddhism and to support each other. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali eight steps from beginning to end. Perfection of yoga on the first stage, gives clues about the practice of yoga on the stages onwards.
The first step is to improve social behavior, how you treat others and the world around you. Five moral principles are given to practice. Second stage of yoga is a discipline on matters of meaning. Five principles of self-control are given for practice. Before taking on the mental yoga, the practice of posture convenient to obtain the cooperation of the physical body is explained. Any fixed posture, where you can sit comfortably and attentively for a long contemplation is permitted. In the fourth stage, yoga is practiced breath to complete the first three stages, relying on the respiration of the latent energy.
In fifth stage onwards, yoga posture comes itself, requirement of practice ends. In the fifth stage, the practice of withdrawing the senses, it follows meditation where the invocation of conscience on the subject or object is like practice. In the last stage, when the mind is completely purified, the practice of the dissolution of consciousness about self-realization of internal autonomy or uniqueness of the interior is underway.
Here, you experience self-realization and consciousness and the universe are one. This experience is unique and happiness can not be expressed in words. All experiments in the States earlier by the followers of yoga are only perceptions, but feels like a reality.
Author GS Virk has published books on spirituality, Yoga, Meditation, Gita , Sikhism, God , Spiritual Sculptures and phones. All are fully accessible online at Spiritual Book Numbers, and are for beginners.
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Patanjali International Yoga Foundation (PIYFT) Dr Jitendra Das, India, Uttrakhanda, Himalay, Tehri-Garhwal, Rishikesh, Luxmanjhula piyft@yahoo.com, www.yogatoday.ru PIYFT was establish in Haridwar by Dr Jitendra Das and has its branch in Rishikesh, Uttrakhanda, India. The basic principal of Foundation is truth to the original source. Master follows the Ancient Yoga Style taken from Sanskrit books. Dr. Jitendra Das, the Founder President and the leading master of Foundation, has Golden Medal in (MA) Master Degree on the subject of Yoga, (PhD) Scientific Research on the topic of Patanjali Yoga and Ayurveda and Sanskrit Education in Gurukul Kangari University, Haridwar, Uttrakhanda, India. PIYFT runs yoga seminars, workshops, lectures, teachers training courses, yoga – ayurveda therapy courses and certified educational programs in India and worldwide.
Pilates highlights just a tiny aspect of the vast discipline of Yoga. Yoga includes all that Pilates comprises and a lot more. While Yoga stresses the unity of mind, body and spirit and involves a combination of physical exercises, breathing exercises and meditation, Pilates is more physically inclined; it is, primarily, aimed at promoting flexibility, increase stamina and strength, reduce stress and cure ailments. Yoga is considered not just physically therapeutic but also mentally and spiritually. People take up Yoga not just to be physically fit and energetic, but also to reduce stress and anxiety and achieve inner peace and happiness.
While Yoga is the considered most holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, Pilates refers to a physical fitness exercise system. Together with lengthening and stabilizing of the spine it is designed to achieve and maintaining perfect body alignment and posture. It primarily focuses on cultivating core postural muscles. Yoga benefits, on the other hand, are more than just a physical; they are all-inclusive. For physical and mental health, covering all aspects of breathing, relaxation, internal hygiene, diet, breathing techniques, meditation and ultimately self-realization, there is nothing like Yoga.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga exercises and poses are not just intended to make the practitioner physically fit and strong, by bathing internal organs with rich oxygenated blood and life force energy they also set their functioning right. Further, Yoga normalizes the endocrine system, strengthens the respiratory system and enhances digestive functioning and elimination besides perking up the reproductive system.
Benefits of Pilates
On the other hand, even though Pilates is not as complete and holistic a health system as Yoga, it helps you reach more or less the same physical fitness goals as Yoga. This is achieved through a series of controlled movements and breathing regulation. Pilates is very effective, especially for aesthetic body sculpting and makes the practitioner feel and look tall, lean and svelte.
So, what is better for overall health and fitness, Pilates or Yoga? The answer is a levelheaded blend of the physical and meditative aspects of both systems. On some level, both Yoga and Pilates share the common goal of strengthening the body with the help of ones own body weight for resistance. As a matter of fact, a lot of their movements and postures are very similar. And, just like Yoga, Pilates can also be done as floor exercises if you don not wish to blow money on buying Yoga equipment or Pilates equipment. Pilates is also a lot simpler to learn and easier to understand. It also tends to give quicker results. But, finally, the choice is yours; it depends on your patience level and the goals wish to achieve. Just physical fitness and a fantastic figure or all that together with long-lasting inner peace and happiness.
You have heard all the benefits of practicing yoga. You know that anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, how fit you are or how flexible you are. Any yoga position can be altered for your fitness and flexibility level. You want to enjoy the benefits of yoga starting today. Now you need to know how to learn yoga. There are a couple options that you have, the one you choose will really depend on your learning style and comfort level.
To learn yoga you can take a class, go on a yoga retreat, learn yoga from a book or pop in a beginners guide to yoga DVD or video tape. They all have their benefits and again it will really depend on you. Try one and if you are unhappy with the results or instruction try another.
Deciding on how to learn yoga is as important as figuring out which type of yoga you would like to learn. Here is a small list of the types of yoga:
Hatha yoga – with Hatha there is a lot of importance places on the perfect physical form. This is because those that practice Hatha believe that the perfect form is what helps them attain spiritual perfection. They employ breath control exercises and hand gestures to reach self realization.
Kundalini Yoga – this is the potential form of life force that is lying dormant in our bodies. It is seen as a coiled up serpent that lays in the base of our spine and it can spring awake when it is activated by spiritual disciplines. The practice of kundalini yoga focus on the psyhic centers in the body to generate a spiritual power.
Bhakti Yoga – this type of yoga is all about getting in touch with the Divine Being and is then followed by an outpouring of ones’ heart. This type of yoga advocates love and devotion as the path to being liberated.
TantraYoga – with its roots in the ancient fertility practices of India, tantra yoga is the merging of the Ultimate by arousing and channeling sexual energy.
Remember that this is only a small list of the types of yoga, you will find that some are more spiritual and some are more physical but they all are based on the same poses the variance is in the instruction.
Once you have decided on your learning style and the type of yoga you would like to learn you need to get prepared. You will need a mat or some sort so that you are not just on the hard floor and you will need to be dressed in comfortable clothes. You don’t need to run out and by “special yoga clothes” just wear clothes that are not restrictive and are comfortable.
Make sure that you have a quiet place set up at home where you can practice your yoga poses. It is advisable that you do not begin to practice yoga if you have any physical injuries, talk to your doctor first. Yoga is meant to help you, not cause you more pain. Also do not underestimate the energy that is required to perform the yoga poses. They may look simple, but practicing yoga will require strength and stamina.
Christopher Jay has supplied much more information on learning Yoga at Yoga Health Benefits.com. Let us help you keep your health and well being. Find some answers at Yoga Health Benefits.com toda
The handstand is the best inversion exercise that you can do almost anywhere. It is good for your cardiovascular system and efficiently increases upper body strength. This 3 minute video summarizes basic skills you need to master in order to obtain the ability to do a handstand.
