Yoga Life , astang Yoga

             Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs Of Yoga)

Some time we refer yoga as the ashan or posture or physical exercise. but that asana and physical exercise are only a part of yoga which give strength to our body and makes us  free from many diseases .Maharishi Patanjali define yoga in his yoga shutra as follows

            योग: चित्त-वृत्ति निरोध:
          yogah citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

 which means "Yoga is the inhibition (nirodhaḥ) of the "waves" or "disturbance" (vṛtti) of the "mind" or "consciousness” or “memory,” (citta)".Swami Vivekananda translates the sutra as "Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff (Citta) from taking various forms (Vrittis)."

In patanjali yoga shutra maharashi patanjali discribe eight limbs of yoga

Eight components or Limbs of yoga

In Patanjali yoga shutra there are eight limbs or aspects of yoga

1. Yamas

Yama is the first of the eight limbs of yoga outlined in the yoga sutras. It is also sometimes called “the five restraints” because it describes . Yamas are ethical rules in meny religions like  Hinduism , Buddhism and Jainism and can be thought of as moral imperatives. Maharishi Patanjali listed The five yamas in Patanjali in Yogasutra 

1. Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा): Nonviolence, non-harming other living beings
2. Satya (सत्य): truthfulness, non-falsehood
3. Asteya (अस्तेय): non-stealing
4. Brahmacārya (ब्रह्मचर्य): chastity, marital fidelity or sexual restraint
5. Aparigraha (अपरिग्रहः): non-avarice,non-possessiveness

Patanjali,  states how and why each of the above self restraints help in the personal growth of an individual. 

2. Niyama

Niyama is the second limb of the spiritual path as outlined by the ancient sage Patanjali in his yoga sutras The second Limbs of Patanjali's Yoga path is called niyama, which includes habits, behaviors  the niyamas are

1. Saucha: purity, clearness of mind, speech and body
2. Santoṣa: satisfaction ,contentment, acceptance of others,  optimism for self
3. Tapas: persistence, perseverance
4. Svadhyaya: study of Vedas and other knowledgeable books, study of self, self-reflection, introspection of self's thoughts, speeches and actions
5. Isvarapraṇidhana: contemplation of the Ishvara (God/Supreme Being, True Self)

As with the Yamas, Patanjali explains how and why each of the above Niyamas help in the personal growth of an individual

3. Asana

Asana is the physical practice of yoga, which is also commonly known as the yoga postures. Yet, asana is not just a simple exercise. It is a physical medium through which we can keep the mind calm and balanced.Patanjali begins discussion of Asana (आसन, posture) by defining it  as follows

                  स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥

An asana is what is steady and pleasant.

Asana is thus a posture that one can hold for a period of time, staying relaxed, steady, comfortable and motionless. Patanjali does not list any specific asana, except the suggestion, "posture one can hold with comfort and motionlessness".  The posture that causes pain or restlessness is not a yogic posture. Other secondary texts studying Patanjali's sutra state that one requirement of correct posture is to keep breast, neck and head erect (proper spinal posture)

yoga scholars developed, described and commented on numerous postures. Padmasana (lotus), Veerasana (heroic), Bhadrasana (decent)

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika describes the technique of 84 asanas, stating four of these as most important: Padmasana (lotus), Bhadrasana (decent), Sinhasana (lion), and Siddhasana (accomplished).

according to some text lord shiva discribed 84 lakh ashan

4. Praṇayama

Prana is the life force, the vital energy needed by our physical and subtle layers, for us to survive. It is said that life force energy flows through thousands of subtle energy channels called the ‘Nadis’ (energy channels) and energy centers (junctions of those Nadis) called ‘Chakras’. It is very important that a good quantity and quality of prana flows through the Nadis and chakras as it determines one’s state of mind Praṇayama is made out of two Sanskrit words praṇa (प्राण, breath)  and ayama (आयाम, restraining, extending, stretching)‘Prana’ refers to the universal life force and ‘Ayama’ means to regulate or lengthen. Pranayam is a yogic way of breathing to increase our prana.After a desired posture has been achieved, the next limb of yoga, praṇayama, which is the practice of consciously regulating breath (inhalation and exhalation) This is done in several ways, inhaling and then suspending exhalation for a period, exhaling and then suspending inhalation for a period, slowing the inhalation and exhalation, consciously changing the time/length of breath (deep, short breathing)

5. Pratyahara

Pratyahara is a combination of two Sanskrit words prati- (the prefix प्रति-, "towards") and ahara (आहार, "bring near")

Pratyahara is bringing near one's awareness and one's thoughts to within. It is a process of withdrawing one's thoughts from external objects, things, person, situation. It is turning one's attention to one's true Self, one's inner world, experiencing and examining self. It is a step of self extraction and abstraction. Pratyahara is not consciously closing one's eyes to the sensory world, it is consciously closing one's mind processes to the sensory world. Pratyahara empowers one to stop being controlled by the external world, and take one's attention to seek self-knowledge and experience the freedom innate in one's inner world

6. Dharaṇa

Dharana (Sanskrit: धारणा) means concentration, introspective focus 

Dharana as the sixth limb of yoga, is holding one's mind onto a particular inner state, subject or topic of one's mind. The mind (not sensory organ) is fixed on a mantra, or one's breath or any part of body, or an object one wants to observe,  Fixing the mind means one-pointed focus, without drifting of mind, and without jumping from one topic to another.

7. Dhyana

Dhyana (Sanskrit: ध्यान) simply known as meditation literally means "profound contemplation"

Dhyana is contemplating, reflecting on whatever Dharana has focused on. If in the sixth limb of yoga one focused on a personal deity, Dhyana is its contemplation. Dhyana is uninterrupted train of thought, current of cognition, flow of awareness.

Dhyana is integrally related to Dharana, one leads to other. Dharana is a state of mind, Dhyana the process of mind. Dhyana is distinct from Dharana in that the meditator becomes actively engaged with its focus. Patanjali defines contemplation (Dhyana) as the mind process, where the mind is fixed on something, and then there is "a course of uniform modification of knowledge".  Dhyana is the yoga state when there is only the "stream of continuous thought about the object, uninterrupted by other thoughts of different kind for the same object"; Dharana, states is focussed on one object, but aware of its many aspects and ideas about the same object. 

8. Samadhi

Samadhi (Sanskrit: समाधि) literally means "putting together, joining, combining with, union, harmonious whole, trance"

Samadhi is oneness with the subject of meditation. There is no distinction, during the eighth limb of yoga, between the actor of meditation, the act of meditation and the subject of meditation. Samadhi is that spiritual state when one's mind is so absorbed in whatever it is contemplating on, that the mind loses the sense of its own identity. The thinker, the thought process and the thought fuse with the subject of thought. There is only oneness, samadhi.

yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines. Yoga has been studied and may be recommended to promote relaxation, reduce stress and improve some medical conditions . In today's age yoga is adopted as holistic health care. There are many yoga school in India. 

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Yoga Life , The yoga capital of the world

                          The yoga capital of the world

 Rishikesh , a beautiful city Located in the foothills of the Lower Himalayas, in the Tehri-Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, this holy town serves as a starting point for the other religious hubs in the state – Badrinath, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri (part of the ‘Char Dham’ pilgrimage route) . also Known as yoga capital of the world. It is famous for yoga and meditation, pilgrimage and also hot destination for rafting and camping. 

For those who are looking for a break of the spiritual kind, Rishikesh has a host of ashrams and yoga centres, offering lessons in yoga and meditation, besides other spiritual activities. 

There are many yoga ashrams and all kind of yoga and meditation classes.Rishikesh is situated on the bank of river ganga at the foothills of Himalaya. It is one of the holiest place for hindus that's why many sages and saints and yoga masters have been visiting the city.and it is the yoga teacher training hub across the world. There are many ashram or yoga school which are providing yoga teacher training. Rishikesh is full of spiritual energy because of ganga and the Himalaya. Lush greenery , pure water and fresh air and untouched natural beauty make it more beautiful.

Rishikesh boasts of relatively pleasant weather all-year round – neither too hot nor too cold. Temperatures in summer (March to June) range from 20C to 35C, though they can – and occasionally do – touch 40 C in peak summer. During winters (October to February), temperatures reach a low of 5 C and a high of 20 C. The town’s climate is ideal for indulging in outdoor activities almost throughout the year

 Rishikesh is the home to some of the most reputed yoga school and ashram because of its such a rich rich yoga and spiritual heritage. 

Rishikesh also attract visitors for rafting and camping and for many adventure activity. Other places to visit here are Ram jhula, parmarth niketan, gita bhawan, triveni ghat, neelkanth temple etc.

 It is well connected with road , air and railway by different cities of india. Neatest airport is at jolly Grant airports in dehradun approximately 35 to 40 km Neatest railway station is rishikesh but you should choose haridwar which is well connected with other cities of india and is 20 km from rishikesh Rishikesh is well connected with Major cities via motorable road  
there are many yoga school some of them are-

Anand Prakash Ashram: If you are looking for comfortable accommodation along with intense yoga classes, then Anand Prakash Ashram can be a good option for you  this ashram also offers different course including Akhanda yoga, classical Kundalini and Hatha-Raja yoga. All three forms promises complete rejuvenation of mind, body and soul  

Ganga Dham Ashram: A well maintained Ashram founded by Osho attracts visitors looking for mental peace and tranquility.  

Swami Dayananda Ashram: Swami Dayanand Ashram is an ideal centre for learning about yoga and Vedanta and Sanskrit. Along with many residential teachers, Swami Dayanand himself conducts regular classes here

Yoga Niketan: Founded by Yogeshwaranand Paramahans, Yoga Niketan is another distinctive yoga training centre in Rishikesh

Sivananda Ashram: Based upon the four paths namely Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga, Sivananda Ashram shows potent of human healing. This sacred ashram is one of the premium yoga training institutes in Rishikesh.

Parmarth Niketan: It is among the best Yoga training institute in the country, Parmarth Niketan is a destination ideal for those seeking refinement of soul and body. 

there are many teacher training center or yoga school which offer different teacher training and yoga retreats all have different pricing and facility check detail before choosing any school

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Yoga Life , The Power of mind

A man comes; you know he is very learned, his language is beautiful, and he speaks to you by the hour; but he does not make any impression. Another man comes, and he speaks a few words, not well arranged, ungrammatical perhaps; all the same, he makes an immense impression. Many of you have seen that. So it is evident that words alone cannot always produce an impression. Words, even thoughts contribute only one-third of the influence in making an impression, the man, two-thirds. What you call the personal magnetism of the man — that is what goes out and impresses you. 

   

 In our families there are the heads; some of them are successful, others are not. Why? We complain of others in our failures. The moment I am unsuccessful, I say, so-and-so is the cause of the failure. In failure, one does not like to confess one's own faults and weaknesses. Each person tries to hold himself faultless and lay the blame upon somebody or something else, or even on bad luck. When heads of families fail, they should ask themselves, why it is that some persons manage a family so well and others do not. Then you will find that the difference is owing to the man — his presence, his personality. 

Coming to great leaders of mankind, we always find that it was the personality of the man that counted. Now, take all the great authors of the past, the great thinkers. Really speaking, how many thoughts have they thought? Take all the writings that have been left to us by the past leaders of mankind; take each one of their books and appraise them. The real thoughts, new and genuine, that have been thought in this world up to this time, amount to only a handful. Read in their books the thoughts they have left to us. The authors do not appear to be giants to us, and yet we know that they were great giants in their days. What made them so? Not simply the thoughts they thought, neither the books they wrote, nor the speeches they made, it was something else that is now gone, that is their personality. As I have already remarked, the personality of the man is two-thirds, and his intellect, his words, are but one-third. It is the real man, the personality of the man, that runs through us. Our actions are but effects. Actions must come when the man is there; the effect is bound to follow the cause.

The ideal of all education, all training, should be this man-making. But, instead of that, we are always trying to polish up the outside. What use in polishing up the outside when there is no inside? The end and aim of all training is to make the man grow. The man who influences, who throws his magic, as it were, upon his fellow-beings, is a dynamo of power, and when that man is ready, he can do anything and everything he likes; that personality put upon anything will make it work.

Now, we see that though this is a fact, no physical laws that we know of will explain this. How can we explain it by chemical and physical knowledge? How much of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, how many molecules in different positions, and how many cells, etc., etc. can explain this mysterious personality? And we still see, it is a fact, and not only that, it is the real man; and it is that man that lives and moves and works, it is that man that influences, moves his fellow-beings, and passes out, and his intellect and books and works are but traces left behind. Think of this. Compare the great teachers of religion with the great philosophers. The philosophers scarcely influenced anybody's inner man, and yet they wrote most marvelous books. The religious teachers, on the other hand, moved countries in their lifetime. The difference was made by personality. In the philosopher it is a faint personality that influences; in the great prophets it is tremendous. In the former we touch the intellect, in the latter we touch life. In the one case, it is simply a chemical process, putting certain chemical ingredients together which may gradually combine and under proper circumstances bring out a flash of light or may fail. In the other, it is like a torch that goes round quickly, lighting others.

The science of Yoga claims that it has discovered the laws which develop this personality, and by proper attention to those laws and methods, each one can grow and strengthen his personality 

they came to certain remarkable conclusions; that is, they made a science of it. They found out that all these, though extraordinary, are also natural; there is nothing supernatural. They are under laws just the same as any other physical phenomenon. It is not a freak of nature that a man is born with such powers. They can be systematically studied, practiced, and acquired. This science they call the science of Râja-Yoga.   

words from-

swami vivekananda

THE POWERS OF THE MIND

(Delivered at Los Angeles, California, January 8, 1900 )

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Yoga Life, famous Indian Yoga Teacher

Famous Yoga Teachers of India

yoga has been an important part of Indian culture over 5000 year.there are many form of yoga karma yoga, bhakti yoga, sankhya yoga , hath yoga, astang yoga there are different types and discipline of yoga.there are many books of yoga some of them are patanjali yoga sutra, hatpardipika , gaurakshsanita etc.some famous name of yoga literature are maharishi pantanjali, sawatmaram , guru gaurakhnath who work for yoga and compile  it in there book.

United nation proclaim 21 jun  the International yoga day. Underscoring the fact that global health is a long-term development objective that requires closer international cooperation through the exchange of best practices aimed at building better individual lifestyles devoid of excesses of all kinds, Recognizing that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being.

 Famous yoga guru of modern india..

BKS Iyengar-

Born: 14 December 1918 ,Died: 20 August 2014One of the most famous yoga teacher who is popular in india as well as in abroad. He is one who populariz yoga in abroad also.He gifted a version of yoga known as 'Iyengar Yoga'. He died at the age of 95 and he performed yoga in that age also.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-

Born: 13 May 1956 (age 61)He is the founder of art if living , he known for his famous breathing practice called 'Suddarshan kriya' He developed it when he was practicing salience for 10 days.

Baba Ramdev-

Born: 25 December 1965One of the most famous yoga teacher , he is the person who brought back yoga to the mainstream by his yoga camps.
He is the founder of patanjali yoga trust. Who is spreading awareness towards swadeshi.

jaggi vasudev -

Born: 3 September 1957he is  popularly known as sadguru, he is the founder of Isha Foundation , Isha foundation offers the yoga program around the world...A adi yogi Shiva 112 ft tall statue desined by sadguru jaggi vaudev located at Coimbatore in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Bikram Choudhury 

Born: February 10, 1944 in Calcutta, India. he is an Indian yoga teacher and the founder of Bikram Yoga, a form of hot yoga performed in a series of 26 hatha yoga postures done in a hot environment of 40 °C (104 °F)

Vishnudevananda Saraswati

Born: 31 December 1927, Kerala Died: 9 November 1993, Uttarakhand. Vishnudevananda Saraswati was a disciple of Sivananda Saraswati, and founder of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and Ashrams. He established the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course, one of the first yoga teacher training programs in the West.

yoga Life, Lean yoga to improve your life

21 th Jun is approved as “International Yoga Day” by united nation.

“Yoga” one of the beautiful  gifts which India Gave to the world .

India who believe in the philosophy of  vasudhaiva kutumbakam  (“वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम” -The world is one family)

yoga has been an important part of Indian culture over 5000 year.there are many form of yoga karma yoga, bhakti yoga, sankhya yoga , hath yoga, astang yoga there are different types and discipline of yoga.there are many books of yoga some of them are patanjali yoga sutra, hatpardipika , gaurakshsanita etc.some famous name of yoga literature are maharishi pantanjali, sawatmaram , guru gaurakhnath who work for yoga and compile  it in there book.
United nation proclaim 21 jun  the International yoga day. Underscoring the fact that global health is a long-term development objective that requires closer international cooperation through the exchange of best practices aimed at building better individual lifestyles devoid of excesses of all kinds, Recognizing that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being.

The word yoga come from the vedic Sanskrit. The term yoga has been used to variety of practices, The Hindu schools of Yoga being Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Laya Yoga and Hatha Yoga, Maharishi Patanjali is known as father of modern Yoga who wrote the sutra of yoga, Yoga Sutras of Pantajali, constitute classical Ashtanga Yoga (the eight limbs), also called Raja Yoga

Yoga is a Physical, mantel and spiritual practice which helps to 
transform body and mind.

Dhayan (Mediation) , Pranayam (Extension of breath)  and suryie namaskar (Sun Salutation) are the basics of yoga.

Daily Practice of these will help you to improve ability of your body and mind.

It  helps to raise consciousness of the mind.

It  helps you to know yourself .

It  keeps your body fit and free from illness.

It  helps you to improve your willpower.

It is the solution to many  problems.

According to maharishi Patanjali yoga is 

योग: चित्त-वृत्ति निरोध:
yogah citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

 which means "Yoga is the inhibition (nirodhaḥ) of the "waves" or "disturbance" (vṛtti) of the "mind" or "consciousness” or “memory,” (citta)".Swami Vivekananda translates the sutra as "Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff (Citta) from taking various forms (Vrittis)."

In Patanjali yoga shutra there are eight limbs or aspects of yoga

Sanskrit	English
Yama	moral codes
Niyama	self-purification and study
Asana	posture
Pranayama	breath control
Pratyahara	withdrawing of the mind from the senses
Dharana	concentration
Dhyana	deep meditation
Samadhi	union with the object of meditation

1.Yamas are ethical rules in meny religions like  Hinduism , Buddhism and Jainism and can be thought of as moral imperatives. Maharishi Patanjali listed The five yamas in Patanjali in Yoga sutra.

2.The second Limbs of Patanjali's Yoga path is called niyama, which includes habits, behaviors

3.Asana is thus a posture that one can hold for a period of time, staying relaxed, steady, comfortable and motionless.

4.Praṇayama is made out of two Sanskrit words praṇa (प्राण, breath)  and ayama (आयाम, restraining, extending, stretching) After a desired posture has been achieved, the next limb of yoga, praṇayama, which is the practice of consciously regulating breath (inhalation and exhalation) 

5.Pratyahara is a combination of two Sanskrit words prati- (the prefix प्रति-, "towards") and ahara (आहार, "bring near") Pratyahara is bringing near one's awareness and one's thoughts to within. 

6.Dharana (Sanskrit: धारणा) means concentration, introspective focus. Dharana as the sixth limb of yoga, is holding one's mind onto a particular inner state, subject or topic of one's mind.

7.Dhyana (Sanskrit: ध्यान) simply known as meditation literally means "profound contemplation" Dhyana is contemplating, reflecting on whatever Dharana has focused on.

8.Samadhi is oneness with the subject of meditation. There is no distinction, during the eighth limb of yoga, between the actor of meditation.

click to know about Astang yoga in detail

Practice the yoga with India and adopt the concept of  सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः (Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah)

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः

सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।

सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु

मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् ।

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah

Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah

Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu

Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet

OM Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih

Meaning:

Om , may all become happy

May all be Free from Illness.

May all  See what is Auspicious,

May no one Suffer.

OM Peace, Peace, Peace

learn sun salutation surya namaskar watch video

Come and join hand with India to make a peaceful world.

You are welcome to India to learn more about YOGA and meditation.