Different types of Yoga?

[Unseen_Abilities]

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Edited January 31, 2014 by Unseen_Abilities

[Mal]

I feel the teacher is MORE important than the "art" even though where my yoga practice currently is, I only have contact with my teacher 2 or 3 times a month rather than 6 times a week. I could if I wanted, but it would not be of great benefit just yet and I personally prefer solo practice (although I do enjoy the group energy of a class too)

 

Go to a class and see how it makes YOU feel (it's always normal to feel a bit nervous with new environments) Do you like it? Do you want to go back again?

 

Look at the teacher and ask yourself "Do I want to be like this person?" Look at the students, are they becoming like the teacher? Are they happy and healthy? How long have they been practicing?

 

.... o.k since you asked A B C have a look at Ashtanga http://kpjayi.org/ you might like it too

 

I've enjoyed Knoff yoga (good local teacher) www.knoffyoga.com/

I know many like Yin Yoga but I have not tried a class.

Hatha and Iyengar yoga were not for me the times I have tried them.

 

 

All the best for the New Year.

Edited January 2, 2013 by Mal Stainkey

[Protector]

Yoga means unionnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

 

My favorite is yoga you can listen to http://www.youtube.com/user/HamsaYogi

[GrandmasterP]

Plenty of yoga teachers and classes out there, enjoy.

Like TaiChi, Yoga classes are a great way to socialise and meet new people too.

[laughingblade]

Hatha yoga for your body. Go easy and avoid injury early on.

Sitting meditation for your calm (firstly) then development...

 

Finding teachers?

For Hatha Yoga I'd pick a well-known branch (Sivananda, Iyengar maybe) and a long-running local class.

Mediation is harder. Many (usually Buddhist) centres run introductory meditation classes - often a series of 6 or so - and mix the meditation instruction with some philosophy or principles too. If you haven't meditated before then mainstream is probably the best place to start. These classes are often taught in a consistent manner by senior students, so you can get a flavour of "The Path" rather than the personality of some dude. Don't rush though - ease your way in, listen to plenty of people and try a few flavours before you nail you flag to anybody else's mast: your cultivation practise will be unique to you and is well worth letting unfold gradually and naturally.

 

And as GMP advises: enjoy!

 

Rich

[Eric23]

I've been practicing Yin Yoga for several years. It's more of a restorative practice as far as physicality. I have enjoyed the spiritual and meditative aspects of Yin Yoga immensely. If I discovered yoga 15 years ago, Ashtanga would be my choice. The one Ashtanga class I took was very physical and lead to an injury, so I've been gun shy. I'm an old fart with several nagging scars from my younger days, a young, active person should be just fine with Ashtanga. As mentioned above, regardless of the practice, go slow at first and always listen to your body to avoid injury.

 

The vast majority of yoga studios in the US teach Hatha yoga. Nothing wrong with Hatha, it's just that so many of the classes are more about the workout and not the spiritual aspects of yoga. Find a place close to you and jump in. IMO the real deep spiritual experiences have happened when I practice at home alone. The classes and studios are more for learning correct technique that you take home. I would agree that learning from a teacher is the best way to get started. A book or video just can't correct minor alignment issues that lead to injuries.

[3bob]

A note: In the west we often see or hear about jumping right into asana, (which is a ways down the quoted list) yet the ever important foundations related to and needed for the traditional practice of various yoga(s) are in (operational) fact yama and niyama -which btw may not fit in with certain "westernized" schools or preferences...

 

"The eight limbs of Yoga

Ashtanga yoga consists of the following limbs: The first five are called external aids to Yoga (bahiranga sadhana)

------------------------------------

• Yama refers to the five abstentions. These are the same as the five vows of Jainism.
  

1. Ahimsa: non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, it

goes as far as nonviolence in thought, word and deed.

• 2. Satya: truth in word and thought.
   
  
• 3. Asteya: non-covetousness, to the extent that one should not even desire something that is his own.
   
  
• 4. Brahmacharya: abstinence, particularly in the case of sexual activity. It necessarily implies celibacy. Also, responsible behavior with respect to our goal of moving toward the truth. It suggests that we should form relationships that foster our understanding of the highest truths. "Practicing brahmacharya means that we use our sexual energy to regenerate our connection to our spiritual self. It also means that we don’t use this energy in any way that might harm others."^[13]
  

. 5. Aparigraha: non-possessiveness

 

------------------------------------------------------

• Niyama refers to the five observances
  

• 1. Shaucha: cleanliness of body and mind.
   
  
• 2. Santosha: satisfaction; satisfied with what one has.
   
  
• 3. Tapas: austerity and associated observances for body discipline and thereby mental control.
   
  
• 4. Svadhyaya: study of the Vedic scriptures to know about God and the soul, which leads to introspection on a greater awakening to the soul and God within,
   
  
• 5. Ishvarapranidhana: surrender to (or worship of) God.
  

-------------------------------------------------------

• Asana: Discipline of the body: rules and postures to keep it disease-free and for preserving vital energy. Correct postures are a physical aid to meditation, for they control the limbs and nervous system and prevent them from producing disturbances".
  

Edited January 2, 2013 by 3bob

[Unseen_Abilities]

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Edited January 31, 2014 by Unseen_Abilities

[GrandmasterP]

Good luck to you buddy. Word to the wise though.

Try to keep to the front row in a class.

There's a degree of breaking wind involved in Yoga and it can get a bit ripe on the back row.

[adept]

What about the 'Five Tibetans' or, as they are also known 'The Five Rites of Rejuvenation' ?

http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm

[3bob]

Good luck also T.S.,

 

I think I understand what you are getting at concerning traditional Hindu philosophy and religion which btw and imo is very difficult to live without the supportive culture and infrascructure such as still exists in India or in a Hindu based school/group/community located somewhere else.

 

One might even ask how many Hindu's themselves are or remain strict vegetarians, which is a major tenet for most if not all of it sects/schools depending on definition. (being that there are Hindu related schools/teachings which could be said to range from A-Z)

 

Anyway, I to appreciate the fact of what you call "intricately intertwined" aspects... for instance:

 

Ahimsa: non-violence, inflicting no injury or harm to others or even to one's own self, it goes as far as nonviolence in thought, word and deed.

 

This is the primary tenet of Hinduism (and also a universal tenet), and without it no real spiritual progress can be made, and even the greatest and most powerful yogi or swami could or would fall very far if forgetting it.

 

And even the least greatest and least powerful person could or would go very far in not forgetting it...

 

Om

[Birch]

On the exercise front: Yin yoga (I prefer sinking into stretches than pulling myself into them which is where flows that go too fast go wrong for me - or, the yoga teacher would say 'notice what you're doing to yourself to get this pose) and Iyengar for the alignments, but I quit that because they still went too fast (for me) into neck stands. Sometimes a teacher puts too much stock in the advancement of 'their' students.

 

Sometimes a class, sometimes at home (is cheaper with a video teacher or just follow a routine you've learned).

[Vmarco]

Hey guys, Happy New Year

 

C) Spiritual development

 

I see all sorts of Yoga exist, and I'm sure some are better for different things than others, but what's kind do you think would bring a nice balance of the things I listed above? And, while I'm at it, do you have any advice for finding a good teacher?

 

Thanks

 

Yoga of the Clear Light (Osel)

According to the Tantric tradition, everyone experiences the Clear Light of the Void shortly after death. Its brilliance, however, is so overwhelming that the departing consciousness usually recoils in fear and is drawn instead into another samsaric rebirth. By learning to recognize the transcendent Light of the Nirvanic Buddha Consciousness during his lifetime, an adept may return to it without difficulty when the shock of death threatens to disorient him.

 

Try the What is Light thread to go further:

http://thetaobums.co...-what-is-light/

Edited January 3, 2013 by Vmarco

[GrandmasterP]

I suppose that might happen for those who believe in it.

I talk to 'dead' people a lot, most say that they were welcomed over by loved ones gone before.

Yoga class is a great place to socialise, you could try it Vmarco.

Maybe meet that special someone. New places become all the more joyful seen and shared with someone loved.

Edited January 3, 2013 by GrandmasterP

[sasblamthanb]

worthy of mentions…

 

Hot / Bikram yoga is worth a try for just about any noob to yoga… esp during the wintertime… and esp if you have any pain or ‘old injury’ issues at the start. The instructors are typically a slight notch higher in quality and depth from Hatha (ie americanized) yoga instructors, but instructors are really case by case regardless of 'style' - and as someone said above the teacher is as, if not more, important than the style.

 

Another obscure ‘school’ is Prasara. The postures and transitional flows are more physically challenging than stock yoga asanas, so consider it only if you are close to healthy ie already ‘strong’ and ‘flexible’ ( ie youthful - but not necessarily young). The focus is on re-establishing your 'natural' bodyflow ... and turning bound flow to healthy flow in the 'first body' takes the brakes off spiritual progress... and ...etc

Scott Sonnon has championed it for years in the west… has a book and dvd’s about it available online

Note: As is often the case with ‘teachers’, Sonnon’s own latent disorders / instability / challenges / conflicts / unresolved issues / wotchamacallits are starting to show up more and more these days. Maybe it’s just a passing midlife crisis or something… wishing him all the best.

 

hth

Edited January 3, 2013 by sasblamthanb

[Mal]

The first five are called external aids to Yoga (bahiranga sadhana)”

I had not noticed that description before, pretty cool. Patanjali said that “Yoga is Union: Union of the Individual Self with the Universal Self” But how to achieve the 8 limbs that lead to this union? As Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois taught, simply “do your practice and all is coming”

 

You practice Yama (the five restraints) Niyama (the five observances) and Asana (the postures).

Over (much) time you will develop Pranayama (restraining the life force through breath work), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dyana (meditation) and Samadhi.

 

Guys, thanks so much for replying...I'm going to think about this...I'm interested in developing spiritually, but not necessarily in adopting the Hindu philosophy as a way of life - I realise and respect that the art and the philosophy are intricately intertwined, but even so, maybe I can still find somewhere that teaches more what I'm after.

 

You might like Scott Sonnon's practices like Flow Fit or Being Breathed. While some Yoga classes are not far removed from gymnastics the complete systems will/should be spiritual IMO.

 

Is there a religious aspect?

The origins of yoga lie within Hinduism. Although yoga has come to be known and practiced worldwide in a more or less secular context, its religious aspects are inalienable, and permeate the physical practice. Whatever one's intent in starting Ashtanga yoga may be, anyone who undertakes it is participating in a practice with sacred and religious underpinnings. Therefore, while students are not required to subscribe to any particular religious belief in order to do the practice or realize benefits from it, they should be aware of its religious character and, at a minimum, be willing to offer the practice due respect as such. Before practice, teacher and students recite a traditional Sanskrit chant of gratitude to Patanjali, believed to be the creator of yoga and the one who gave it to mankind; otherwise, students are not required or asked to engage in any religious activities.

 

I might comment about injuries as Ashtanga tends to be known as a hard/difficult yoga (or a yoga for 12 year old boys) My practice looks NOTHING like my class mates as they mostly have a year (or more) experience and it takes a lot of practice to achieve that effortless movement. Some days I can’t even do sun salutations and keep my breathing steady! Given that, trying to push myself through the full series of primary asana would be ... rather silly.

 

Most yoga classes are lead classes where everyone tries to do the same asana (often with easier variations mentioned as an afterthought) Ashtanga has what they call a mysore practice which is basically individuals practicing together. You do your practice, the teacher adjusts you and gives you the next posture when you are ready. This builds great familiarity with what you body is capable of and where your limits are. It’s also nice and quite with just the sounds of people breathing together

 

The downside is that progress is slow (some teachers are very traditional and will only give the asanas in the traditional order) Since everyone had trouble with at least some postures people get “stuck” and when pushing to achieve an asana it’s easy to loose focus on breathing which increases the chance of injury. I have more trouble at seminars, iyengar yoga or lead classes encountering “new” postures where I’m not familiar with my limits.

[adept]

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/five-tibetans-medicine-hunter-chris-kilham

[skydog]

Hi T.S

 

Ive been doing a couple of yoga exercises for 3-4 days and have been having amazing benefits. They are specifically for the lower chakras (sexual energy and Physical Energy) which can be good for many things obviously but may be particuarly helpful if you are feeling ungrounded.

 

They are Sat Kriya and The Tibetan Five Rites

 

[Unseen_Abilities]

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Edited January 31, 2014 by Unseen_Abilities

[adept]

The Five Tibetans are great. I do them daily as well as my qigong set. I've also started to learn Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations), and will be adding these to my routine. The next step is learning asanas.

I've definitely noticed a switch in my cultivation lately. I seem to be more drawn toward yogic practices, including mantra and chakra meditation. I've taken quite an interest in the Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

The path is ever winding but all good.

[flyinghigh]

 

Hot / Bikram yoga is worth a try for just about any noob to yoga… esp during the wintertime… and esp if you have any pain or ‘old injury’ issues at the start. The instructors are typically a slight notch higher in quality and depth from Hatha (ie americanized) yoga instructors,

 

Another obscure ‘school’ is Prasara. ..

Scott Sonnon has championed it for years in the west…

 

hth

Regarding Bikram yoga- one has to realize that at least in the beginning stages they don't teach any inverted poses like shoulder or head stand.

Also Bikram is a franchise sytem.

 

Re Prasara yoga I think Sonnon invented it, i.e. mixed a bit of hatha yoga with his tacfit exercises.

[johndoe2012]

.

Edited August 18, 2013 by chris d

[Antares]

I consider almost every yoga known in the west to be just good calisthenics. Real yoga is far beyond just asanas. And latter is just what western yogis do mainly. Not sure if it even promotes health.

If you want real yoga you have to go to india or Nepal and search for authentic sampradaya

Edited March 19, 2013 by Eugene

[RongzomFan]

Real yoga

If you want real yoga you have to go to

 

 

http://www.khecari.com/styled/index.html

[Antares]

http://nathas.org/en/tradition/

 

http://nathas.org/en/tradition/initiation/