Yoga is a holistic system of health and wellness, which explores and sheds light on the multi-faceted wholeness of Self. It is an art and science of Self... an on-going exploration and tuning of body, mind, and energy, throughout this play of life. It is a natural attunement of the instrument with That which is ever-Here, the light of Being / Self, supporting and shining through it all. |
Hatha Yoga / Raja Yoga
"Asana is a steady and comfortable posture." (Yoga Sutra 2.46)
"Asanas form the first stage of Hatha Yoga. They make the body firm, free from disease, and light of limb." (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.17)
(Asana Gallery)
"Pranayama is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath, with retention (natural pauses at top and bottom of breath)" (Yoga Sutra 2.49)
"When the prana moves in the Sushumna (central energy channel) and the mind is absorbed in the Shunya ('emptiness'), the intelligent yogi uproots all karma." (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 4.12)
"Pranayama dissolves the mental veil of ignorance, revealing more fully the inner light of wisdom." (Yoga Sutra 2.52)
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"Pratyahara is the withdrawing of attention from the play of mind and senses, and staying with the Heart of Awareness / Being." (Yoga Sutra 2.54)
Dharana - (Concentration) (A further steadying of attention)
Dhyana - (Meditation) (Ceaseless and effortless Awareness)
Samadhi - (Absorption) "The yogi realizes that the knower, the instrument of knowing, and the known are One, Himself, the Seer (Pure Consciousness). Like a pure transparent jewel, he reflects an unsullied purity." (Yoga Sutra 1.41)
"(The yogi in samadhi) is void within and without, like a pot in the akasha (ether). He is also like a pot in the ocean, full within and without." (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 4.56)
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Karma Yoga - (selfless service / selfless action)
"The wise see that there is action in the midst of inaction and inaction in the midst of action. Their consciousness is unified, and every act is done with complete awareness... even while acting, they really do nothing at all." (Bhagavad Gita 4.18 / 4.20)
"The Lord of Love shines in the hearts of all. Seeing Him in all creatures, the wise forget themselves in the service of All." (Mundaka Upanishad 3.4)
Recommended Reading:
- Light on Yoga (BKS Iyengar)
- Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (BKS Iyengar)
- The Holy Science (Swami Sri Yukteswar)
"Through ignorance I once imagined I was bound. But I am pure awareness.
I live beyond all distinctions, in unbroken meditation.
Indeed, I am neither bound nor free. An end to illusion! It is all groundless.
For the whole of creation, though it rests in Me, is without foundation.
But O how wonderful! I am the unbounded deep in Whom all living things naturally arise,
rush against each other playfully, and then subside."
~ From the Ashtavakra Gita ~