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

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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[……]

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All about Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

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Ashtanga Vinyasa is a dynamic style of yoga, where a progressive series of asanas and bandhas are practiced while synchronizing with breath and point of focus, which results in complete detoxification of the body.

Sri Pattabhi Jois is credited with the development of the Ashtanga Vinyasa structure and practice in its current form. It is believed that the method has been passed on from the ancient Saint Vamana in his text called ‘Yoga Korunta’. In the 1920s Sri T Krishnamacharya transcribed the Yoga Korunta and passed on his teachings to the late Pattabhi Jois. Sri Pattabhi Jois’ school in Mysore under the aegis of his grandson Sharat Jois continues to teach this method.

Ashtanga means ‘8 limbs’, which signifies the 8 limbs of yoga as per Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Vinyasa is understood in this context as linking breath and movement. Nyasa means ‘to place’ and vi denotes ‘in a special way’.

The eight limbs of yoga are Yama (moral code), Niyama (spiritual self purification), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sensory transcendence), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (union or state of ecstasy). The style of yoga advocates that the teacher and practitioner practice all these eight limbs of yoga on and off the mat.

The purpose of Vinyasa is internal cleansing. Vinyasa combines asana practice with breath and drishti (point of looking), in conjunction with each other to attain three levels of purification: body, nervous system and mind.

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What is Anusara Yoga

If you are looking for a yoga practice that not only benefits your body but also nurtures your mind and spirit, then Anusara Yoga may be for you. This form of yoga was created in the late 1990s by American yogi John Friend and is based on the philosophy of intrinsic goodness.

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The practice of Anusara Yoga emphasizes the alignment of the entire body, as well as the heart and mind. By working on proper alignment, Anusara Yoga can help you build strength, increase flexibility, improve balance, and deepen your overall sense of well-being.

Anusara Yoga draws from a wide range of yoga traditions, including Hatha, Iyengar, and Vinyasa, to create a unique and uplifting practice. The practice involves a variety of poses, from basic to advanced, which can be modified to suit each individual’s needs and abilities.

Anusara Yoga also incorporates a heart-centered philosophy, which views all living beings as inherently good and divine. This approach encourages practitioners to see the goodness in themselves and others, and to approach their practice with a sense of joy and openness.

Key Takeaways

Anusara Yoga is a yoga practice that emphasizes alignment of the body, heart, and mind.

This form of yoga draws from multiple traditions to create a unique practice.

Anusara Yoga incorporates a heart-centered philosophy that sees all living beings as inherently good and divine.

Practicing Anusara Yoga can benefit the body by building strength, flexibility, and balance, while also nurturing the mi[……]

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Aerial Yoga vs Aerial Silks | Differences, Similarities & Choosing a Style

Curious about the difference between Aerial Yoga vs Aerial Silks? Learn about the differences, similarities and how to choose.

Aerial fitness has taken the world by storm, offering a unique and exhilarating way to stay fit and flexible. If you’re looking to take your workouts to new heights, you’ve likely encountered the captivating worlds of Aerial Yoga and Aerial Silks. These two aerial disciplines may seem similar at first glance, but they have distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences and fitness goals.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what Aerial Yoga and Aerial Silks are, highlight their similarities and differences, and provide expert advice on how to choose between the two. So, let’s unravel the ropes and soar through the fabric as we dive into the fascinating realm of Aerial Yoga vs. Aerial Silks.

What is Aerial Yoga?

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Aerial Yoga, also known as Fly Yoga, Air Yoga and AntiGravity Yoga, is a graceful fusion of traditional yoga poses and aerial arts. During classes, you’ll perform yoga postures while suspended from soft fabric hammocks.

The aerial yoga hammocks allow you to explore deeper stretches and develop core strength. The gentle sway of the fabric and the sensation of floating create a soothing and meditative experience, making Aerial Yoga a holistic practice for both body and mind (great for anxiety and depression).

Aerial Yoga provides numerous physical benefits, including improved flexibility, enhanced balance, and increased spina[……]

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4 Things I Learned Doing Acro Yoga

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You guys, I had the best time learning this style of yoga called acro yoga! My gym held an intro workshop and I have to admit, I was intimidated. I am very reserved in trying new physical activities. I have a tendency of holding myself back. It’s from an irrational thought that I’ve had for so long; that my body can’t do what everyone else’s can. However, listening to my body in my regular yoga practice has given me the confidence and attunement to know when I’m approaching my limits. And now I am hooked on acro! I can’t get over just how much fun I had trying the different poses. In this post I’m going to share the main takeaways that resonated with me as I reflected on what I loved about this activity that went a lot deeper than I was expecting.

1. I give away my power when I don’t acknowledge it

I was flying with my partner, which means I was up in the air being supported by his feet (think playing airplane when you were a kid), and I wanted my partner’s feet moved in a place that felt more secure. I struggled to communicate exactly what I wanted, but I could articulate that what I had wasn’t right. With a little coaching, I was able to get there, but the coaching didn’t fix my problem. The coaching guided me to fix my own problem and gave me the permission to take control where it was my responsibility to do so. And that’s where it hit home. Waiting for permission. While a part of this experience was learning something new, what I discovered was my instinctual response.[……]

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Yoga Nidra for Manifestation

Activate your sub-conscious through deep relaxation, and achieve your goals through your own power of manifestation.

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Yog Nidra is NOT sleep. In Yog Nidra, you walk the threshold between wakefulness and sleep. In deep sleep, brainwave frequency moves from beta, to theta, and finally to delta waves. In Yog Nidra, however, a unique, intermediate platform of alpha wave predominance is achieved, which heightens sub-conscious awareness and enhances cognitive functioning — a perfect opportunity for healing and personal growth!

It is a powerful tantra practice that can be used for manifestation. Yog Nidra achieves a “passive-active” state in which the sub-conscious is empowered to deeply internalize a specific “resolve/sankalpa” that the practitioner is working with and to super-charge their manifestation abilities.

The right preparation/setting is important for a successful Yog Nidra session. First, make sure to pick a time when you are not rushed. Find a private, quiet, softly lit/dark place with a comfortable room temperature where you will not be disturbed for at least 45 minutes, and lay down on a mat/mattress (ideally placed on the floor) with any props that might enhance comfort (e.g., blankets, pillows), in comfortable clothing. Keep all distractions away or turned off (e.g., phone, laptop). Finally, craft a clear resolve/sankalpa that you would like to work with, for maximum benefit. You will repeat this resolve to yourself mentally when instructed during the practice.

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Yin Yoga & The Lung Meridian – an immune supportive practice

In recent years, the practice of Yin Yoga has gained popularity among people seeking a more meditative and restorative form of yoga. Unlike other types of yoga that focus on muscular strength and dynamic movement, Yin Yoga is a slow and passive practice that involves holding poses for several minutes at a time.

The goal of Yin Yoga is to target the connective tissues of the body, including the joints, ligaments, and fascia, to increase flexibility, mobility, and relaxation, but principally to access the meridian system, which are energy channels that run throughout the body according to traditional Chinese medicine. The meridians correspond to different organs and systems of the body, and they can be stimulated through specific poses.

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Yin Yoga uses a few core principles:

Time in a pose to gently stretch the connective tissues (fascia) in the body,

Remaining still(ish) – allowing the body to fully switch off accessing the parasympathetic nervous system

Find your appropriate edge – we don’t want to feel pain or discomfort while in a pose.

In Chinese Medicine (TCM), Autumn is the season to nourish our Lung Chi. It is a time of transition and one when we often find ourselves or those around us unwell with the flu or when eczema suffers really suffer.

The Lung Meridian is an important energy pathway that plays a crucial role in respiratory function and immune system function. The lungs include the organ of the skin and are paired with the large intestine, (the colon). This energy[……]

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