Iyengar yoga - started by BKS Iyengar

Iyengar yoga poses - Traditional yoga style

Iyengar yoga style is created by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, a much respected Indian yoga guru.
It is an established yoga practice based on the principles of the Sage Patanjali, who formulated the yoga sutras. 

BKS Iyengar

This is a form of Hatha yoga and has integrated all the eight aspects of Ashtanga yoga. It strictly follows the traditional ashtanga yoga method.
B.K.S.Iyengar has his yoga center 'Ramamani Iyengar Memorial yoga institute' which is located in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
This is a popular style of yoga worldwide. Every year, students from different country stay and learn Iyengar method of yoga at the institute in Pune.
Iyengar yoga teaching style has worldwide recognition. He has many followers and there are many centers teaching Iyengar yoga.
B.K.S. Iyengar was born in1918.  Now, B.K.S.Iyengar is more than 90 years old and still continues to practice yoga. His daughter Geeta and Son Prashant teach yoga at the institute.
This year, in 2014, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan - Second highest award given to a civilian in the republic of India to recognize exceptional service in any field.
B.K.S.Iyengar was physically weak as a child and practiced yoga to improve his health. He learnt yoga from a scholar and a yogi, Sri T. Krishnamacharya in Mysore, Karnataka, India.

Speciality of Iyengar yoga poses - Use of props

The specialty of this yoga style is that, props are used to perform asanas.
The use of props is new to yoga and was started by B.K.S. Iyengar. The props used are belts, blankets, wooden blocks, benches, straps, sandbags, chairs, pillows, bolsters etc.
Iyengar yoga is user friendly and sate for all. It is great for beginners as well as advanced students .The props help the students to get the body in ideal alignment for that pose, even if his body is not yet flexible enough.
Use of props the Iyengar method makes yoga poses easier for the student. The props are used according to the students needs. The props are used in the yoga studio.
If you are practicing at home, you can use what you have at home Even tired or sick persons also can do some of the asanas with used props without feeling any strain and can get benefit from it.
Everyone can practice using props. There is attention to detail and there is emphasis on body alignment.
This yoga is helpful in relieving the modern life stress. Yogasana (yoga poses), pranayama (yogic breathing), meditation, all are part of iyengar yoga Iyengar yoga is refered to as 'meditation in action'.
The students get the fundamentals of yoga right. The benefits of regular practice increase and the awareness stretching improves. It is spirituality through physical methods which encourages proper breathing while in a yoga pose. The concentration helps in meditation.

Yoga for health - Iyengar method for yoga health benefits

The physical benefits of yoga are many and Iyengar has developed ways of practicing certain yoga poses to treat various diseases and ailments.
Digestive problems , high blood pressure, depression, menopause etc. can be treated with yogasanas and this yoga can be used as physical therapy.
If Iyengar yoga classes are available to you, do make use of them. After attending classes and learning the basics, you may also use the books below to understand yoga better and practice.
B.K.S.Iyengar has written many books on yoga that are bestsellers. The books have lots of illustrations and a student can learn yoga using these books.

---

Hasya yoga - Laughing yoga

Laughing Therapy - Laughter clubs
Laughter Workshops

Hasya yoga is the Sanskrit name of Laughter yoga or laughing yoga. Hasya means 'laughter' in Indian languages.
Laughter yoga is not a form of ancient yoga but it has some similarities with the traditional yoga. It originated in India and it helps your physical as well as mental health, same as traditional yoga.

What is laughter yoga - Laughter therapy?

Hasya yoga or Laughter yoga combines laughter with yogic breathing - pranayama.. This may be self triggered laughter for a reason or without reason.
You know that laughter is the best medicine. The basic concept with laughter yoga is that our body cannot differentiate between real or artificial laughter.The laughter language is understood and appreciated everyone in the world.
But laughter can affect your mind positively. So if you laugh, with or without reason, it has positive effect on your body as well as your mind.

Who started laughter yoga?

Laughter yoga was started by Dr. Madan Kataria, an Indian doctor in India on March 13 1995. He has written a book 'Laugh for no reason'.
Laughter yoga has spread all over the world now and that is because people are benefiting from it. There are 8000+ social laughter clubs in more than 60 countries and are still increasing.

World laughter day

World laughter day was started by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of laughter yoga. It is celebrated on 1st Sunday in May. The first time, it was celebrated on Jan 11 1998, in Mumbai, India.

How is laughter yoga done?

The laughing yoga club members gather in a park, mostly in the mornings. These members are of all ages.
The yoga laughter is done as a form of body exercise in a group of members.
Eye contact, childlike playfulness and humor are used. Forced, artificial laughter turns into real laughter at some point of time.
Both artificial and real laughter provides the same benefits to body and mind. A laughter yoga session includes simple stretches, and deep breathing (pranayama)  .

Health benefits of laugher therapy - Laughter yoga

• Laughter is free. you do not have to pay anything for it but it can give you physical, mental benefits.
• Reduces stress. Laughter provides physical and emotional relaxation and release.
•  Releases endorphins, the feel good hormones. Laughing reduces the stress hormones.
•  It is a complete well being workout. It is a good internal workout. The abdominal muscles, diaphragm get exercised. A good body shaking laughter gives some exercise to the shoulders too.
• People feel happy, healthy, energized. 
• Negative thoughts, guilt, anger go away.
• Many experience transformation in life. Get positive energy Helps to deal with everyday stress.
• Your attitude towards life changes from negative to positive.
• Laughing more, positive attitude towards life makes you more acceptable in society. You see your attitude reflected in other people too.
• Saves from depression. Many claim not to need any anti depressants.
•  General health improvement. Regular laughing makes you an optimist and you may live a happy, longer and healthier life.
• Laughter helps in fighting illness. Reduction in respiratory infections such as Common cold, flu etc.
• Seniors benefit too with laughter yoga

Related pages to visit

• Bhakti yoga
•  Iyengar yoga

What is Mantra yoga - Types of yoga

Mantra yoga is one of the types of yoga, a more mind related, spiritual yoga. 

Mantra yoga is the least complex of the types of yoga because it does not involve any strenuous yoga poses or any other complicated practices.

Mantra is said to be very effective with prolonged practice as the sounds of mantra can awaken the chakras and the serpent power, the kundalini.

 

What is mantra? What is mantra yoga?

Mantra is a sanskrit language word which means a powerful, sacred word, phrase or syllables.
Mantra comes from a Sanskrit word mantrana which means suggestion or advice. Each and every word is a mantra as our mind responds to it as soon as we hear it.

Word mantra is related to manas, a sanskrit word for mind. Mantra is sound and it may be the sound of silence.

You know sometimes you may be repeating a word or a phrase or a song in your mind silently the whole day or for days together. That becomes your mantra for that duration.

These silent mantras affect your life.

Words form language. Our daily life is possible because of words. That is how we carry out most our activities. Every word has a power, a force and it produces its own reaction.

We all know the power of words that we utter or hear someone say. When we understand the words it may have a positive or negative effect on our body and mind.

Even when we do not understand the meaning of the words we hear, the sound, the tone and volume affect us.

So, choosing a positive mantra is possible and desirable.

 

Bija - Beeja Mantra - Sound of Om

It is believed that this world came into existence with a sound Om. The vibration of this sound started everything. This vibration still exists and continues.

Om is called the bija(seed) mantra. Though the word mantra is related to Hindu religion, it is not limited to it. Mantras have been used in the native cultures all around the world since thousands of years.

 

What can Mantra do for you?

Mantra connects to spirituality as well. The sound vibrations produced by the repetition of mantra have the power to give you spiritual experiences.

Mantra yoga means to unite with the supreme power making use of the mantra as a tool, method or way.

Mantra can alter one’s life experience There are many mantras for different purposes.

How and when is Mantra used?

Yoga mantra is also repeated while doing the yogasanas – yoga poses.

Mantra may also be used to improve our life in many ways; to improve health, financial situation, relationships etc. Om mantra, Gayatri Mantra etc.

You may say a mantra loudly or internally-silently. In both ways it is effective.Count or not to count, use a mala (beads) or a rosary or choose not to use anything while repeating mantra.

You may recite a mantra or listen to it.

Seated yoga poses - Sitting yoga poses

Seated and body twisting poses

Seated yoga poses are done after practicing the standing yoga poses. Sitting yoga positions are an important part of an yoga practice session. Meditation is usually done in a straight backed seated pose.

Sukhasana - Easy pose

You can see a sitting yoga pose, sukhasana - Easy pose, in the image above.


The sitting position is used to practice Pranayama - breathing exercises, relaxing yoga positions, and meditation.

 

Benefits of sitting yoga poses. Seated yoga poses have therapeutic effects.

Some of these seated poses are body twisting poses which have therapeutic effects. These sitting poses make knees, ankles, and hips more flexible. These poses reduce tension.
These sitting yoga poses improve postures. These poses strengthen your back.

You can see another seated pose, baddha konasana - bound angle pose in the image below.

 

Baddha konasana - Bound angle pose

Blood circulation improves all over body when these seated poses are done. These are muscle opening postures. Sitting yoga positions are calming to the mind as they help in breathing in deep.
The seated poses benefit the spine. The spine is kept straight, it is stretched and twisted and that increases the flexibility of the spine and lengthens it. The posture, alignment of the spine improves. The spine and surrounding muscles are relaxed and that reduces tension and relaxes mind and body. This is especially helpful while doing meditation.

Seated yoga poses also strengthen and tone the back and abdomen core muscles, lower back, thigh muscles.

The sitting poses stimulate reproductive, nervous and respiratory systems.
To get the full benefits of the seated poses, you should practice different types of seated poses regularly.

List of seated yoga postures

1. Ardha Pavanmuktasana - Half Wind Relieving Pose
2. Pavanmuktasana - Wind Relieving Pose
3. Paripoorna Navasana - Full boat pose
4. Ardha Navasana - Half boat pose
5. Baddha konasana - Bound angle pose
6. Vajrasana - thunderbolt pose, diamond pose
7. Sukhasana - Easy seated pose
8. Purvottanasana - Upward plank pose - Inclined plank pose - Table top pose
9. Paschimottanasana - back stretching pose, seated forward bend
10. Balasana - child pose
11. Marichasana - Sage Marichi's pose
12. Ardhamatsyedrasana - Sage Matsyedra's pose
13. Janushirshasana - head to knee pose
14. Simhasana - lion pose
15. Virasana (veerasana) - hero pose
16. Dandasana - staff pose
17. Padmasana - Lotus pose
18. Hanumanasana - monkey pose, leg split pose
19. Mandukasana - frog pose
20. Bhardwajasana - Sage Bharadwaja's pose
21. Gomukhasana - cow face pose
22. Upavishta konasana - wide angle seated forward bend pose
23. Shashankasana - rabbit pose

Bhujangasana Yoga Cobra Pose

 

Yoga Prone pose - for neck pain - back pain

Bhujangasana yoga cobra pose is named so because it resembles a cobra with a raised hood. Like many other poses, this pose is taken from the animal kingdom.

The Sanskrit word bhujanga means cobra, asana means a pose, posture or position.

Bhujangasana is a back bending pose. In normal life, we may bend forward for many reasons. This backward bending is a good pose for a healthy back.

How to do bhujangasana - cobra pose?

Bhujangasana - Cobra pose

1. Lie down facing downwards, on your stomach.
2. Place your palms near your chest, fingers pointing forward.
3. Place your forehead on the floor. If you find placing forehead on the floor difficult, place your chin on the floor.
4. While breathing in, raise your upper body (neck, chest, and abdomen) with the support of your arms.
5. Let the neck go as backward as possible. Straighten the arms. Stretch slowly. Look upward to the ceiling.
6. Once you reach the maximum stretch that you can, breathe normally and stay in that position for a minute.
7. In the final position, your arms should be straight, chest is forward, shoulders are back and neck and the spine is stretched. Your heels should be together.

 

To get out of bhujangasana

1. While exhaling, lower the upper body, that is the abdomen, chest.
2. Place the forehead on the floor.
3. Bring back the arms to the side of your body.

 

Caution while doing bhujangasana

1. The stretch should make you feel good not strained or painful.
2. Do not hunch up the shoulders.
3. Let the arms be straight.
4. If you have a back injury, headache, pregnancy, do not do the asana.
5. If you have wrist problem, (carpal tunnel syndrome) , be careful.
6. The backbend should not be painful.
7. If you have a neck problem, do not look upwards, look straight.

 

What are the benefits of bhujangasana - cobra pose?

• Cobra pose strengthens the spine.
• Reduces back ache and stiffness in the neck.
• Firms the buttocks.
• Relieves stress.
• Stimulates the digestive organs and improves digestion.
• Relieves flatulence and constipation.
• Stretches chest, lungs, shoulders and abdomen. Allows deeper breathing.
• Gives relief from menstrual problems.
• Improves liver and spleen functions.

Origin of Yoga

Yoga information - Origin of Yoga

Are you wondering what the 'origin of yoga' is? Yoga was developed in India thousands of years ago. You may also find history of yoga interesting.

According to yoga history available, after the discovery of Indus valley civilization, it was found that yoga existed during that period. It evolved in 'sat yuga' called golden age.

Sat yuga was a long peaceful age of abundance. Humans had time to search within. Yoga was developed by such seekers of eternal truth. The secrets of body, mind and soul have been studies by Indian sages since time immemorial.

The question 'who am I?' has been asked and pondered over since a long time. And there is no one ready answer for that question. Everyone has to find his own.

The goal of a yogi was to reach the pure spirit, find freedom from suffering and get released from the inevitable cycle of life and death. The seed mantra of yoga is OM or AUM. It is the sound of cosmos, the source of Samadhi.

Yoga is a science that gives a person real health and happiness. It teaches one the way to deal with the problems of day to day life, to face the inevitable human suffering and pain.

By practicing yoga, you can liberate your spirit by controlling and purifying your body and mind. Yoga has been an integral part of Vedanta philosophy. The oldest Indian scriptures, Vedas an Upanishads mention yoga.

In Ramayana and Mahabharata, yoga is explained d in detail. 'Bhagwad Gita', the sacred Hindu scripture, represents the essence of yoga philosophy through Sri Krishna's advice to Arjuna. Practicing yoga can help you physically, mentally and spiritually.

History of yoga

Yoga origin and yoga information

The history of yoga is at least 5000 year old. Yoga is a part of India's philosophy. It is one of the great contributions made by India to the world health, physical, mental and spiritual. You may also like to read origin of yoga.
 
Yoga predates history. Stone carvings with figures in yoga postures were found in archeological sites, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, in Indus valley, dating more than 5 thousand years back.

The early writings related to yoga were done on palm leaves. The ancient written records, Vedas and the Upanishads contain references to spiritual yoga.

 

Tradition of yoga

The tradition of yoga was passed on from teacher to student through personal instruction. The present day yoga techniques are the collective teachings of many teachers in thousands of years.

Bhagvad Gita, the very popular Hindu literature (about 500 B.C.) contains the conversation which takes place on the battlefield (that is our life). It is about the inevitable turbulent life experiences that everyone has to go through.

Krishna, the great yogi, instructs Arjuna( who is reluctant to fight his family and friends on the battlefield). Krishna explains how Arjuna can attain moksha (spiritual freedom) by following the different yogic paths. How one can get release from the life and death cycle

• by following the path of devotion - Bhakti yoga,
• path of wisdom - Jnana yoga,
• by giving up ego and not expecting the fruit of action - Karma yoga.

No wonder Bhagvad Gita is one of the most read books in the world.

 

Patanjali Yoga

Patanjali an Indian rishi (sage) wrote yoga sutras (yoga aphorism - words of wisdom). He wrote about ashtanga yoga (eight limbed yoga) which is known today as classical yoga.

Patanjali Yoga sutra is in Sanskrit language and is presented in a very systematic way and all serious and enthusiastic yoga practitioners study it. There are many translations in different languages with commentaries.

 

Yoga outside India

Yoga became popular in the western countries after 1960. As people started experiencing the benefits of yoga, more and more people started practicing yoga.

Many visited India to learn from the yoga masters themselves and got teacher's training too. They opened their own yoga training centers in their own countries.

Many Indian origin yoga teachers went to other countries and opened their own yoga school. These new teachers are spreading the light of yoga throughout the world.

The yoga history continues in this way. Hope you find this yoga information useful and it encourages you to take up and  continue doing yoga practice for physical, mental and spiritual benefits.