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Hinduism On Yoga

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In America, yoga is commonly used to achieve improved physical health or fitness; however, in Hinduism, yoga “involves focusing consciousness” in a way to achieve union of body and mind, and come to the realization of the ultimate union between the individual consciousness and the universal consciousness, which is Braham. A yoga path is a purposeful search of oneness with all that is. The lecture, The Five Yogas of Hinduism, declares the five traditional types of yoga are: Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Raja Yoga. According to The Five Yogas of Hinduism, Hatha Yoga involves “physical exercises that prepare a person for sitting, meditation, concentration.” An emotional disposition is suited to Bhakti Yoga, which focuses …show more content…
Peoples’ personalities are multifaceted, so a blending of several yogas tends to increase the ability to achieve the desired spiritual connection. Practitioners often try to follow their own predispositions in balancing these different forms of yoga. By identifying the path that most closely aligns with one’s own inclinations, it is easier to incorporate into one’s life. Even though these paths take different approaches, they all share the same goal. As stated in The History of Hindu India, “Truth is one, the paths are many” [Rig …show more content…
An example of a habit I have already incorporated into my life that aligns with this type of yoga is meditation. I practice clearing my mind of anxiety and negative thoughts before I go to sleep. I do not sit in what is traditionally considered a yoga pose, but I do stretches before I go to bed and then breathe deeply while imaging letting go of my negative thoughts and empty my mind of the worry I experience. I imagine positive energy flowing into my body when I inhale, and exhale negative energy. Yet, I could choose to be more aware of my thoughts throughout the day, instead of just at night. If I were to actively practice this form of yoga in the way Hindus do, and not the Americanized form, then I would do this throughout the day, and make it a habit not to become so stressed by the end of the day, and the end goal would also be different. I believe everyone, regardless of their beliefs or practices could benefit from doing

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