2024 – Page 2 – Yoga Enjoy

The history of Hatha yoga

March 22, 2024

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Hatha yoga is an umbrella term that describes physical exercise and breathing techniques used to achieve mindfulness.

Originating in India, this concept traces back to the eleventh century A.D.; however, posture-based forms of yoga did not develop until the early 20th century. Hatha yoga today is based on the practices outlined in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Hatha yoga began developing in India during the 1920s and 1930s, with the first official school opening in Mysore in 1924. During this time, the Indian traditions of Hatha yoga merged with the physical culture of western society.

Once physical culture grew in popularity in the 20th century, Hatha yoga teachings became popularized in the west.

Hatha yoga today

Today, Hatha is practiced regularly by people all around the world. However, it is not practiced in the same manner as classical Hatha yoga once was.

Modern Hatha yoga has shifted to focus on large class sizes that are often drop-in rather than routine sessions with the same group of students. This has made taking yoga classes easier to fit into your schedule at your convenience.

The Sanskrit word Hatha literally translates to force. Hatha classes will teach you how to apply prana, or vital energy, to different yoga postures. Hindu texts describe prana as the physical, mental and spiritual energy in Hinduism. Classes typically last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, and you can expect that it will finish with some pranayama yoga or meditation.

Today’s Hatha yoga classes are slow and gentle, making them excellent for yoga beginners. Many yogis would recommend you begin with Hatha yoga before trying other forms of physical practice.

Hatha was once seen as the mother of all styles of yoga, as all other styles practiced in western societies derived from this style of yoga. However, it is now seen more like a sister.

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Bikram Yoga

What’s the Difference Between Bikram and Hot Yoga

February 2, 2024

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So you’ve seen the signs around town or read articles on the internet about the benefits of hot yoga. Stretching in a heated room enhances flexibility and aids detoxification, studios promise. Then you see some funny yoga called Bikram while others just call themselves hot. What’s the difference between Bikram and hoy yoga?

The short answer: Bikram yoga refers to a specific set of 26 postures while hot yoga is normal yoga, just in a heated room.

Are you ready to sweat? Studio temperatures for Bikram and hot yoga range from 90 to 105 degrees.

While yoga is an ancient practice rooted in India, Bikram yoga has more modern roots. Indian born and trained yogi Bikram Choudhury opened the first Bikram yoga school in California in 1974. The practice involves completing the set of postures and two breathing exercises in a specific order at a specific temperature–105 degrees with 40% humidity. Only licensed Bikram yoga schools may offer classes under the trademarked name. These schools frequently offer only Bikram yoga without supplementing their schedules with additional types. Other rules apply to Bikram too. There’s no music and the instructor’s dialogue follows a prescribed speech.

Hot yoga, on the other hand, involves a regular vinyasa or hatha yoga class that takes place in a heated room. Some studios merely bump the temperature to create balmy exercise conditions while others might crank the heater so practitioners really work up a sweat. Temperatures usually range between 80 and 100 degrees. As in traditional yoga classes, the instructor’s personality flavors the hour, with personalized music selections, themes, and sequencing of postures.

Some people prefer the discipline of Bikram–and the extreme heat–while others seek the gentle detoxification and free-flowing ambience of a traditional heated yoga class.

Research on benefits of heated yoga for chronic pain is limited, even though many studies have shown pain-reducing benefits for traditional yoga.

A study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found yoga benefited people with chronic low back pain more than traditional exercise. The practice reduced pain along with depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, a study presented at a European League Against Rheumatism conference showed that practicing yoga decreased disease activity for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The hot yoga picture is much more mixed. Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center advises people with the condition against participating in hot yoga because of the extreme heat. On the other hand, Bikram’s official website says the exercise benefits people with arthritis and low back pain. And much anecdotal evidence touts the practice’s healing benefits for chronic pain. More research needs to be done before we can truly understand the potential benefits of hot yoga.

As with all new forms of exercise, talk with your doctor first, listen to your body, and avoid pushing yourself too hard. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, take a break. Otherwise, enjoy the benefits of exercise and have fun.

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Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: The way of devotional love

January 5, 2024

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This article attempts to focus on Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, but for those that don’t know here is a brief summary of The Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is often referred to as the Gita, is one of the world’s most revered spiritual texts. A small section of the Indian epic Mahabharata, the Gita takes the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and his charioteer, the deity Krishna. Within its verses, it explores various paths of yoga, including Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), and notably, Bhakti (devotion). Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotional love, is especially poignant for those seeking a personal, emotional connection to the divine.

What is Bhakti Yoga?

Bhakti Yoga is often described as the yoga of love and devotion towards the divine. It focuses on fostering a personal relationship with a higher power, through affection, trust, and dedication. Bhakti practitioners believe that through pure love and surrender, one can merge with the divine, bypassing the trappings of the ego and the material world.

Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: A breakdown

In the Gita, Lord Krishna elucidates the profound principles and practices of Bhakti Yoga. Here are some central teachings:

Unwavering Devotion: One of the hallmarks of Bhakti Yoga is unwavering devotion. Krishna says to Arjuna: “Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me and bow to Me. Doing so, you will come to Me alone, I truly promise you, for you are exceptionally dear to Me.” (Gita 18.65).

Surrender: In the face of life’s many challenges, the act of surrendering to the divine can bring inner peace. Krishna counsels: “Give up all varieties of religiousness, and just surrender unto Me; I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” (Gita 18.66).

Selfless Service: Bhakti isn’t just about emotion; it’s also about action. Serving without expecting rewards is a key element of this path. “Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give, whatever you practise as austerity, O Arjuna, do it for Me and as an offering unto Me.” (Gita 9.27).

Equanimity: A true Bhakti practitioner sees the divine in all beings and treats everyone with equal love and respect. “One who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am not lost to him, and he is not lost to Me.” (Gita 6.30).

Chanting and Remembrance: Repeating the names of the divine, often in the form of mantras, helps keep the practitioner’s mind focused on the divine. “Of sacrifices, I am the chanting of the holy names (japa).” (Gita 10.25).

Why is Bhakti Yoga relevant today?

In an era marked by detachment, individualism, and a rush towards material success, the teachings of Bhakti Yoga from the Bhagavad Gita present an antidote. They remind us of the power of love, the importance of connection, and the profound peace that comes from surrendering to something greater than ourselves.

Bhakti Yoga doesn’t necessitate a retreat from the world. Instead, it asks for an internal shift, a change in perception, whereby every act, thought, and emotion becomes a form of worship.

Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: A summary

In essence, the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings on Bhakti Yoga invite us to infuse our lives with love, to see the sacred in the mundane, and to recognise the interconnectedness of all existence. It’s a path that promises not just spiritual awakening but also a heart filled with compassion, joy, and boundless love.

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