An overview of Yoga

Yoga, an ancient art that has been practiced for centuries, became popular in the 1960s with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who popularized the transcendental meditation (TM) in 1960. Yoga is a spiritual practice more diverse in the world. Many scholars believe that yoga dates back over 5,000 years old at the beginning of human civilization. Scholars believe that yoga has grown out of the stone age shamanism-due to cultural similarities between Hinduism and Mehrgarh, a Neolithic settlement (in present-day Afghanistan).
First Yoga and shamanism archaic had much in common both sought to transcend the human condition. The primary goal of shamanism was to heal the community members and act as mediators. Yoga community oriented archaic era, when he attempted to discern the cosmic order through inner vision, then apply that order in everyday life. Later, Yoga has evolved into an experience more inner Yogi focused on their individual Enlightenment and salvation.
There are many different places that offer local YMCA classes-gyms, fitness centers, yoga. But you don't have to be part of a class of yoga practice. Is done just as easily in your home or even at your desk while at work. Yoga can help bring inner peace when they are stressed. You can also help relieve the pain of headaches, back pain and menstrual cramps.
As studies continue to reveal its many health benefits, yoga is taking the world by storm as the new soul mate for fitness enthusiasts workout. Everyone from high powered executives, trying to maintain a healthy heart image conscious Hollywood stars and top athletes, are turning to yoga to develop balanced muscles and spine, without prejudice.
However, yoga deals not only physical. In fact, it is much more than just that. Initially, the only purpose of yoga practice was to experience spiritual enlightenment. In Sanskrit (ancient language of India), yoga translates as "yoke" or "Union", which describes the integration of mind and body to create a greater connection with his own pure nature, essential.
Hatha yoga is one of six branches; others include raja, karma, bhakti, jnana and tantra yoga. Each branch with its unique features and function represents a particular approach to life.
Raja means "Royal", and meditation is the focal point of this branch of yoga. This approach entails strict adherence to eight "limbs" of yoga as described by Patanajli in Yoga Sutras. Also found in many other branches of yoga, these arts or phases follow this order: ethical standards, yama; self-discipline, niyamas; asana, posture; extension of breath or pranayama, control; sensory retreat, pratyahara; dharana, concentration; dhyana, meditation; ecstasy or final liberation, samadhi.
The next branch is that of karma yoga or the location of the service, and none of us can escape this metabolic pathway. The principle of karma-yoga is that what we experience today is created by our actions in the past. Be aware of this, all our efforts are becoming a way to create consciously a future that frees us from being constrained by negativity and selfishness. Bhakti yoga describes the path of devotion. Seeing the divine in all creation, bhakti yoga is a positive way to channel the emotions. The path of bhakti provides us with an opportunity to grow the acceptance and tolerance for all that we come into contact with. If we consider being bhakti yoga, jnana yoga is the yoga of the mind, wisdom, the path to the Sage or scholar. This path requires the development of intellect through the study of the Scriptures and texts of yogic tradition. The approach of jnana yoga is considered the most difficult and at the same time the most direct. It involves serious study and will appeal to those that are more intellectually inclined. Probably the most misquoted or misunderstood of all yoga, tantra, the sixth branch, is the path of the ritual, which includes sexuality consecrated. The keyword here is "consecrated" which means "to make Holy, to set aside as something sacred or sanctified.
One of the most popular schools of yoga practice today is that of Ashtanga Yoga. Ashtanga literally means eight limbs ". These eight steps (arts) basically act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. They serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline; direct attention to health; and help us to recognize the spiritual aspects of our nature.
Although free with spiritual paths, yoga is not a religion and anyone, regardless or body type, age, physical ability or experience, can practice yoga.