Hatha-yoga is an ancient spiritual practice, which via the work with body and breath allows "bringing out" a human consciousness to higher level of functioning.
There is no secrete that human mind and body are interrelated. The final goal of traditional yoga practice can be designated as spiritual self-actualization, Unity with Divinity.
Today, yoga takes on the second birth, and gradually its perception will deepen, because many highly embodied Indian teachers specially directed their disciples to the West with the words like: "People are waiting."
Also, as in India itself, in the West, there are different practices, different teachers, different levels of depth perception.
In today's world, there are a number of well-known hatha yoga schools, each of which presents its own style of practice.
In the West, the most famous is Ashtanga vinyasa yoga in the transfer of Shri K. Pattabhi Joyce and style of yoga developed by Sri B.K.S. Ayengar called for brevity as “Ayengar yoga”.
Both of these outstanding masters studied from a guru Sri Tirumalay Krishnamacharya (1888 - 1989), which in the early 1930's, opened Ygashala (yoga school) in South India town of Mysore. Krishnamacharya was a great connoisseur of Sanskrit, Indian religion, philosophy and literature, Ayurveda, astrology and other mystical subjects.
In addition to P. Joyce and B.K.S. Ayengar, the known disciples of Krishnamacharya are also his son T.K.V. Desikachar and the native of Riga, the daughter of a Swedish father and Russian mother - Indra Davy (her real name is Eugene Peterson, 1899-2002).
Different philosophies and training systems are based on different per se Spirit. The essence of the Rivalry Spirit is more peculiar to single combats used in training of competition with a partner. But in yoga, there is only one opponent - one's own imperfections, which are not in the others, but inside one's own essence, at the level of these or those coverings.
On the 9-17 of April, The International Yoga Festival took place in Milan.
First, the Olympic Yoga Sport competition took place. The participants demonstrated a specific set of asanas, and the members of the jury were choosing the one who, in their opinion, was the best to cope with a task. The criteria for selection were not only high technical level of performance, but also a calm attitude to what is happening. It was the calm and smiling by which the Indian guys predisposed the jury, although, of course, there were no equals of them in technique terms. In competition on artistic-yoga-sport a technique, artistry, costumes, music were estimated...
This competition is now more than two millennia. In ancient times, the masters, yogacharyas, sadhu gathered on so-called Kumbha-mely in the days of big festivals. In addition to asanas demonstration, they competed in Pranayama, and had philosophical debates. So, the competition is in blood of Indians.
Any Indian child is familiar with the philosophy of yoga since school years, and even sits for the corresponding examinations. As a sports discipline, yoga is a part of school and university, urban and national sports competitions.
The International Federation has been existing for more than 3 year. Its foundation was the «Vishwa Yoga Samsad» World Council of Yoga, founded in 1965. In Spain, the European Yoga Alliance supported by the Federation, annually holds the training course for professional teachers of yoga. Diploma issued by the end of this course is consistent with the college diploma, because the quality of training is very high.
The first official competitions on yoga were held in India. There are championship of India, Indian cup, national competitions held in each state. Age of participants is different, they can be representatives of different schools and directions, but united by one important idea: they believe that yoga is good!
Meditation and its types
Meditation is a practice of using certain methods or procedures that can cause the “trophotropic” condition in awake person. Although, there are many types of meditation, the presence of some stimulus or object, which the meditating person is focusing on, is common to all of its forms. Meditation techniques can therefore be classified according to the nature of the object of concentration. According to this criterion, there are four types of meditation.
Repetition in the mind.
In this case the object for concentration is some mental stimulus. A classic example of the mental facility to focus is the "mantra". Mantra is the word or phrase repeated over and over again, usually to oneself. Singing can also be included into this category. Mantra can be selected from a number of Sanskrit words. Herbert Bacon used the word "one" as a mantra for patients with hypertension. Repetition of poetic passages can also be considered a kind of mantra. Sometimes they use the text of folk songs as a mantra.
Repetition of physical action.
This object of concentration is related to focusing one's attention on any physical action. In ancient yoga (Hindu) way of meditation the attention is focused on recurring respiratory movements. Various forms of respiratory control of breaths and exhales counting (called pranayama) are the basis of one of the Hatha yoga forms. The public better knows another version of Hatha yoga that uses various postures (called Asanas). Some people use the East practice: round dances with repetitive movements. Ancient artists of the round dance are known as "dancing dervishes." Finally, the spread of jogging in the United States gave impetus to study this activity. One of the effects reported by some of these runners are experiences similar to meditative ones. The reason for this may be the regular breathing set during the jogging or monotonous sounds of feet touching the ground.
Focusing on the problem.
This object of concentration is an attempt to solve the problem including the paradoxical components. A classic example is dzen "koans”. In this case, one is given a paradoxical problem to solve. One of the most famous koan is: "How does the clap of one hand sound?
Visual concentration.
Here the object of concentration is the visual image. This may be a picture, candlelight, tree leaf, relaxing scene, or something else. "Mandala" is a geometric figure, a square inside a circle, symbolizing the unity of man and the universe. In eastern cultures, it is often used for visual concentration.
Repetition in the mind.
In this case the object for concentration is some mental stimulus. A classic example of the mental facility to focus is the "mantra". Mantra is the word or phrase repeated over and over again, usually to oneself. Singing can also be included into this category. Mantra can be selected from a number of Sanskrit words. Herbert Bacon used the word "one" as a mantra for patients with hypertension. Repetition of poetic passages can also be considered a kind of mantra. Sometimes they use the text of folk songs as a mantra.
Repetition of physical action.
This object of concentration is related to focusing one's attention on any physical action. In ancient yoga (Hindu) way of meditation the attention is focused on recurring respiratory movements. Various forms of respiratory control of breaths and exhales counting (called pranayama) are the basis of one of the Hatha yoga forms. The public better knows another version of Hatha yoga that uses various postures (called Asanas). Some people use the East practice: round dances with repetitive movements. Ancient artists of the round dance are known as "dancing dervishes." Finally, the spread of jogging in the United States gave impetus to study this activity. One of the effects reported by some of these runners are experiences similar to meditative ones. The reason for this may be the regular breathing set during the jogging or monotonous sounds of feet touching the ground.
Focusing on the problem.
This object of concentration is an attempt to solve the problem including the paradoxical components. A classic example is dzen "koans”. In this case, one is given a paradoxical problem to solve. One of the most famous koan is: "How does the clap of one hand sound?
Visual concentration.
Here the object of concentration is the visual image. This may be a picture, candlelight, tree leaf, relaxing scene, or something else. "Mandala" is a geometric figure, a square inside a circle, symbolizing the unity of man and the universe. In eastern cultures, it is often used for visual concentration.
Will the Yoga Secrets patented?
India has decided to formalize ownership of the secrets of yoga, says the British edition of The Daily Mail. For this purpose a commission was set up consisting of the Indian gurus and 200 scientists who have to separately register each of the traditional gymnastics, and thus secure their rights to the copyright in those elements.
Thus, India plans to protect religious practices and associated rituals from the commercialization: income from paid yoga, which has become very popular in Europe and the U.S. in late 1960 - early 1970's, is estimated at 225 billion dollars. But in India the gurus teaching yoga do not take money for their services.
According to the publication, the growing number of western schools of yoga has led to increased demand for patent applications. For example, American and European schools are asked to register their activities not as the “teaching of yoga” but as the “spiritual and unique learning physical practices”. Only in the United States such schools have been given 130 patent licences and 150 patent certificates for the possession of the rights to this or that method of physical exercises. Moreover, 2300 new schools of yoga have been registered in America.
India believes that the registration of new practices, that are actually copying of traditional elements of yoga, and giving them out to be one's new ideas damages the ancient culture. The representative of Digital Library of Traditional Knowledge, which is the initiator of yoga poses patenting, said that their organization hopes to register up to 1500 postures of the Indian practice before the end of 2009.
Thus, India plans to protect religious practices and associated rituals from the commercialization: income from paid yoga, which has become very popular in Europe and the U.S. in late 1960 - early 1970's, is estimated at 225 billion dollars. But in India the gurus teaching yoga do not take money for their services.
According to the publication, the growing number of western schools of yoga has led to increased demand for patent applications. For example, American and European schools are asked to register their activities not as the “teaching of yoga” but as the “spiritual and unique learning physical practices”. Only in the United States such schools have been given 130 patent licences and 150 patent certificates for the possession of the rights to this or that method of physical exercises. Moreover, 2300 new schools of yoga have been registered in America.
India believes that the registration of new practices, that are actually copying of traditional elements of yoga, and giving them out to be one's new ideas damages the ancient culture. The representative of Digital Library of Traditional Knowledge, which is the initiator of yoga poses patenting, said that their organization hopes to register up to 1500 postures of the Indian practice before the end of 2009.
The Third International Yoga Festival will take place at the foot of Pyramids
If you are going to go to Egypt in late spring, you will have an excellent opportunity to take part in the Third International Yoga Festival. Opening will be held on May 30, 2009 at the foot of the pyramid Hufu. The program of events includes master classes and lectures on yoga, musical performances and dance groups from Jordan and India.
Also, guests and participants of the International Festival are offered the guided tours of biblical places, the Dead Sea and Petra with 2 000 years history. By the way, in 2007 this city was included in the list of wonders of the world. Closure of the large-scale events will be held on June 7, 2009. The organizers plan to make it no less colorful and memorable than all the other days of the festival.
Also, guests and participants of the International Festival are offered the guided tours of biblical places, the Dead Sea and Petra with 2 000 years history. By the way, in 2007 this city was included in the list of wonders of the world. Closure of the large-scale events will be held on June 7, 2009. The organizers plan to make it no less colorful and memorable than all the other days of the festival.
Yoga Helps To Achieve Good Look And Healthy Body
When we hear the word "yoga", we imagine the pose of "lotus": crossed legs, straight back, hands on the knees, slow and rhythmic breath. But this is only one of various poses, which a body can be brought to during the exercises. Moreover, this is one of the initial poses, which helps concentrating on the body and breathing: a very slow breath in and a very slow breath out.
The “Newton” Monthly Publication has recently published the results of research by scientists from Milan University. During the experiment a group of yoga teaches, who have been teaching yoga for more than 4 years, was subjected to research. "The first results, - claimed the leader of research Arsenio Veikshteinas, - indicate that unlike those who leads sedentary life, people who do yoga have fat lower by 40%, muscle mass higher by 30-40%, stronger bones, and lower blood pressure ". In other words, this is an ideal kind of sport for people who suffer from high blood pressure.
It's well to note, that there are many kinds of different types of yoga, and multiple "branches" of one and the same base technique. In these versions not the position types are changed, but the order of doing exercises or the accent on definite poses, and also the time of being in this or that pose.
The discipline consists of poses (asanas) and movement (mudra), which besides the improvement of joints mobility and strengthening of muscles, stimulate charkas – the energetic centers related to different functions of organism and psychophysical condition.
It could seam that we talk about the "sitting sport". This ancient discipline of oriental origine provides not only a therapeutic, stimulating and cleaning effect to the internal, but (as it was mentioned above) beneficially influence on appearance, because a person who does yoga gets a well-shaped body. Taking different poses, the body and mind learn self-discipline and control. The body position is corrected by micro-movings, leading to the movement of muscles which usually are not used at all.
Yoga combines positive effect of two types of sport: aerobic – those which require physical endurance, and anaerobic – those which require brief but intense efforts (as weight-lifting).
The “Newton” Monthly Publication has recently published the results of research by scientists from Milan University. During the experiment a group of yoga teaches, who have been teaching yoga for more than 4 years, was subjected to research. "The first results, - claimed the leader of research Arsenio Veikshteinas, - indicate that unlike those who leads sedentary life, people who do yoga have fat lower by 40%, muscle mass higher by 30-40%, stronger bones, and lower blood pressure ". In other words, this is an ideal kind of sport for people who suffer from high blood pressure.
It's well to note, that there are many kinds of different types of yoga, and multiple "branches" of one and the same base technique. In these versions not the position types are changed, but the order of doing exercises or the accent on definite poses, and also the time of being in this or that pose.
The discipline consists of poses (asanas) and movement (mudra), which besides the improvement of joints mobility and strengthening of muscles, stimulate charkas – the energetic centers related to different functions of organism and psychophysical condition.
It could seam that we talk about the "sitting sport". This ancient discipline of oriental origine provides not only a therapeutic, stimulating and cleaning effect to the internal, but (as it was mentioned above) beneficially influence on appearance, because a person who does yoga gets a well-shaped body. Taking different poses, the body and mind learn self-discipline and control. The body position is corrected by micro-movings, leading to the movement of muscles which usually are not used at all.
Yoga combines positive effect of two types of sport: aerobic – those which require physical endurance, and anaerobic – those which require brief but intense efforts (as weight-lifting).
Paul McCartney Fans Can Do Eye-Yoga Now
The British musician Sir James Paul McCartney has published a video in which he shows in details how to do so called “eye-yoga”. The famous singer was taught this unusual technique by an Indian man whom McCartney met in one Indian hotel.
The followers of this off-centre type of yoga state that such an exercise for eyes helps not only strengthening the eyes muscles and improving an eye sight, but also making for the whole body relaxation.
The exercises consist of eye movings from side to side, up and down, and changing of direction of eyeballs rotation.
The singer placed the video in Internet among his fans, for his art admirers to keep their sight in a good form.
«When I visited India, there was a guy in the hotel who taught me the eye-yoga. He told me the eye muscles are the same as all others, and to make them work good, one should train them», - said the musician.
The followers of this off-centre type of yoga state that such an exercise for eyes helps not only strengthening the eyes muscles and improving an eye sight, but also making for the whole body relaxation.
The exercises consist of eye movings from side to side, up and down, and changing of direction of eyeballs rotation.
The singer placed the video in Internet among his fans, for his art admirers to keep their sight in a good form.
«When I visited India, there was a guy in the hotel who taught me the eye-yoga. He told me the eye muscles are the same as all others, and to make them work good, one should train them», - said the musician.
“Naked” Yoga.
In spite of the fact that some psychologists, philosophers and upholders of healthy life-style have earlier suggested to their contemporaries to undress while doing exercises, the “naked” yoga has become popular in the world since 2004 thanks to husband and wife Nicole Daedone and Robert Kandell. Four years ago they founded and headed the "One Taste" Urban Retreat Center in San-Fransisco, CA.
Daedone and Kandell are surely a vivid embodiment of principles of their Center. Nicole became the "soul" of their family and creative union. Having seriously been engaged in theosophy, Nicole turned aside the apprenticeships which hierarchy put a body lower than soul. A young Daedone whose sexual experience was mainly taken from books, took a great interest in Viktor Baranko's proceeding, the author of "comprehensive orgasm".
Not posing such a global aim to herself, she developed her own system of sexual, spiritual and physical perfection on the basis of Hinduism, Buddhism, Cabbala and traditional Judaism, which she has always been interested in. A final stage of Nicole's scientific investigations became the meeting with her future husband, Robert Kandell, a "brain" and manager of their Center.
Robert, who was brought up in the family with strict Jewish traditions, had left the house till that time and was enjoying the freedom. A charming know-all Nicole tested her system on a nice young man, having suggested him the shortest way to join the "consciousness and sensuality". Kandell being in love with Nicole enjoyed the fruits of his darling's wisdom. When later she said him: "Robert, I had a sight. We need a center", Kandell answered unhesitatingly: "I agree".
During these years the "One Taste" has become unusually popular. The followers of "naked” yoga come here to take part in erotic readings and trainings. The eye-witnesses affirm that in 15 minutes after lesson has started, "students" forget about their nakedness, being aspired to go as further as possible in the way of self-perfection.
Daedone and Kandell are surely a vivid embodiment of principles of their Center. Nicole became the "soul" of their family and creative union. Having seriously been engaged in theosophy, Nicole turned aside the apprenticeships which hierarchy put a body lower than soul. A young Daedone whose sexual experience was mainly taken from books, took a great interest in Viktor Baranko's proceeding, the author of "comprehensive orgasm".
Not posing such a global aim to herself, she developed her own system of sexual, spiritual and physical perfection on the basis of Hinduism, Buddhism, Cabbala and traditional Judaism, which she has always been interested in. A final stage of Nicole's scientific investigations became the meeting with her future husband, Robert Kandell, a "brain" and manager of their Center.
Robert, who was brought up in the family with strict Jewish traditions, had left the house till that time and was enjoying the freedom. A charming know-all Nicole tested her system on a nice young man, having suggested him the shortest way to join the "consciousness and sensuality". Kandell being in love with Nicole enjoyed the fruits of his darling's wisdom. When later she said him: "Robert, I had a sight. We need a center", Kandell answered unhesitatingly: "I agree".
During these years the "One Taste" has become unusually popular. The followers of "naked” yoga come here to take part in erotic readings and trainings. The eye-witnesses affirm that in 15 minutes after lesson has started, "students" forget about their nakedness, being aspired to go as further as possible in the way of self-perfection.
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