...The discipline of yoga originated in India 5,000 years. Creating a connection between mind and body is the ultimate goal of this tradition; the word yoga actually means “union of the individual self” (Iyengar 14). Millions use yoga to strengthen their bodies, and ease their minds. In America especially, the practice of yoga has become a trend, made popular especially by hollywood elite. But unlike other dangerous trends perpetuated by celebrities, yoga garners substantial benefits. More energy, reduced stress, and a stronger and more flexible body are only a few of the many positive effects. Yoga is an ancient tradition that yields tremendous benefits for those who practice it today. Yoga began in Northern India, in the Indus- Saravasti civilization. There is no record of exactly when this discipline began, and there is no one person to acknowledge for its invention. Patanjali, an Indian sage, is credited with writing the “Yoga Sutras”, the first known record of yoga, which outlines principles and practices of yoga that are still observed today (Weil 1). Yoga had been practiced for centuries, but it did not arrive in America until 1947 when the first yoga studio was opened in Hollywood. In yogic philosophy, the body is composed of three layers: the casual body, the subtle body, and the gross body, and five sheaths. Each “individual functions in mind, matter, energy, and pure consciousness through [these] sheaths”: the anatomical sheath, the life-force sheath, the psychological...
Words: 1094 - Pages: 5
...Identify and describe three paths to God (yogas) in Hinduism. The three paths (marga) to God are practiced by Hindus to unite with God and achieve Moksha. These spiritual paths include meditation and work based on one’s caste in society. These methods provide a path to allow spiritual journey and union with the Devine. The varieties of yogas address the different needs of different people. Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge yoga which followers study the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita and learn from teachers to contemplate their soul’s oneness with Brahman. Priests and intellectuals tend to gravitate to this practice. (Molloy, 2010, p.92). This form of yoga requires great time and dedication to learn and master meditation. It is the shortest of paths but also the most difficult. Three schools of philosophy include the Vedanta which holds all reality is Brahman, Sankhya which has one free their eternal self from bondage of their inner self, and Yoga which frees the eternal self from person. Karma Yoga is the path of action yoga which involves religious ceremonies, traditions and ethical duties. This yoga can be daily practice seen in everyday tasks done with dharma (ethical duty) and because it is the right thing to do. Molloy states “if done unselfishly, can be a way to perfection” (Molloy, 2010, p. 93). Examples would be raising family, completing tasks, and volunteering. Bhaki Yoga is the path of devotion and for emotional worship of the followers. Hinduism...
Words: 338 - Pages: 2
...keeping my mind from running around is the idea. While practicing yoga/while I am meditating, to practice Tapas I relax every part of my body and picture my self in a dark room. I think of everything that upset or bothered me that week, all my feelings being slowly released through my fingertips until I am at peace with my self. I am able to get my body to feel lighter and come out of my meditation in a better mood. Tapas has helped my life improve because with school, family, and sports I can become very stressed and tense. I used to not know how to relax how to take my mind of things. A few years back I began practicing yoga. Starting with a deep stretch and releasing endorphins then finishing up with deep breathing, closing my eyes and blacking everything out, I have been able to capture the essence of true relaxation. This has really helped me because till then, I had yet to find something that could work for me. I would try deep breaths but I felt that doing that just worked me up. Tapas has captured everything I enjoy about meditation. To be able to find solitude, come to conclusions with myself and have clarity in my thoughts. The steps I can now take towards embracing this principle in my life is that when I feel that I am beginning to get worked up, write them down. Then by the end of the day I will have a list of things that upset me. The next step will be to rip the paper apart then practice my meditation or tapas and continue the process I mentioned earlier...
Words: 418 - Pages: 2
...Chapter 3 Study Guide: Hinduism 1. What are the Vedas? a. Four collections of ancient prayers and rituals 2. When was the Vedic Period? a. 2000 to 500 B.C.E. 3. What language was used in this period? a. Sanskrit 4. Who are Aryans and what is the Aryan invasion theory? What evidence supports this theory? a. Single people b. Aryan invasion theory- the Vedas believed to be the religious writings of this invading people c. Entering new lands, these people were thought to have carried their language and religion with them. Scholars initially believed that in India the outsiders imposed their social order quickly and violently on the older culture. 5. What is the Aryan immigration theory? a. There were repeated waves of migrations into Pakistan and northern India and that from these contacts between foreign and indigenous cultures the religion of the Vedas emerged 6. What are the objections to both of these theories? a. Scholars view any theory that assumes influence from outside India to be a continued relic of Western cultural imperialism Archeological, linguistic, and genetic investigations continue to offer more clues, but their interpretation has not resolved the issue 7. What are the specific areas of interest or concern for the gods Indra, Agni, Ushas, Rudra, Varuna, Vishnu, Surya, Soma and Yama? a. Indra i. God of storm and war, received great attention because of the strength his worshipers hoped to receive from him b. Agni i. God of fire, carried sacrifices...
Words: 3325 - Pages: 14
...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...
Words: 744 - Pages: 3
...Yoga is a scientific system of physical and mental practices that began in India more than three thousand years ago. Its main purpose is to help each one of us achieve our highest potential and to experience enduring health and happiness. It helps extend our healthy, productive years far beyond the accepted norm and, at the same time, improve the quality of our lives. There is a branch of yoga that is called Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga begins by working with the body on a structural level, helping to align the vertebrae, increase flexibility, and strengthen muscles and connective tissue. At the same time internal organs are toned and rejuvenated; the epidermal, digestive, lymphatic, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems are purified of toxins and waste matter; the nervous and endocrine systems are balanced and toned; and brain cells are nourished and stimulated. The end result is increased mental clarity, emotional stability, and a greater sense of overall well-being.Because Yoga works on so many different levels, it has great potential as an effective therapy for chronic diseases and conditions that do not respond well to conventional treatment methods. According to the book “Yoga for the Special Child” children with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities who practice Yoga often surprise their parents and teachers with their quick mastery of basic motor, communicative, and cognitive skills. The same Yoga routine can help children with learning disabilities develop greater...
Words: 286 - Pages: 2
...diverse traditions and has no specific supernatural being or no single holy text. According to Huxley (2010) “Hinduism unites the worship of many gods with a belief in a single divine reality” (p. 78). Hindus also believes that on the death of the body the soul passes to or is reborn in another body, which is reincarnation. Sense Hindus have a strong believe in reincarnation they do not determine death as the end of life or a fear, instead they acknowledge death as a resurrection of the soul. They do not focus death on fear. Hinduism is such a powerful religion that it has persuaded the world with its informed beliefs. This particular religious group has a freedom of practice and belief. Hinduism has been a huge influence amongst the world for many years. It is a known religion that has created practices such as Yoga, Tantra, Karma, and so on. It is a religious tradition that could never really be categorized with any specific belief system for instance, theism, monotheism, and so forth. Hindus believe that there is only one supreme spirit “Brahman”. On the other hand, it does not indicate that they worship a particular deity. For spiritual growth or advice Hindu seeks what they call “Guru”, which is a spiritual teacher. For example, Christians and other religious groups have priest and Hindus have Guru’s. Within Hinduism there are many gods...
Words: 910 - Pages: 4
...Description of healing modality Yoga Nidra is a unique intergration of spirit and science, combining deepest relaxation and alert awareness. Yoga nidra is one of the practices of pratyahara where the awareness is internalized. Literally, yoga nidra means 'psychic sleep' i.e. sleep with full awareness. In psychology, the state achieved in yoga nidra is termed the hypnogogic state, a state between sleep and wakefulness. It takes one’s brain to the alpha state and eventually the even deeper theta wave state. Here, without effort or strain, one is able to tap into his/her own source of health, abudance , intuition, and creativity. Role of a nurse or healing practitioner during yoga nidra. The presence and voice of the healing practitioner is crucial during the therapy. Yoga Nidra is practiced in a comfortable position while lying down. The healing practitioner guides the practitioner through a series of simple instructions and breathing exercises .These include a scan of the body or visual imagery, which occupies the mind thus preventing it from getting involved in the ordinary mind-chatter that absorbs our usual consciousness. Within a short time, one becomes submerged in the alpha state, in which the brain rhythms fall into the internal silent space. Once the body is relaxed and the mind is calm, all energies become focused on the Third Eye, i.e the inner sanctuary found between the eyebrows. One is now able to simultaneously access both the intuitive and the...
Words: 1225 - Pages: 5
...single concept of deity, a central religious authority, and the concept of a prophet, and because of the large differences of Hindu traditions, freedom of belief and practices are worthy features of Hinduism. Hinduism basics and beliefs known as Sanatana Dharma, “the eternal law” in Sanskrit, a religious and classical language of India, is a cluster of different beliefs and as result it is not easy to arrange systematically. An example, some Hindus worship heavenly beings, Devas or deities. (www.peerpapers.com )And there are believed to be thousands of deities that are worshiped in India, but most that practice Hinduism will praise and worship one main deity and acknowledge others as significant. There are three major groupings of deities: Saivites who worship the God Siva, Saktas who worships a Mother Goddess, Vaishnavites who worships the God Vishnu. Hindus also practice spiritual discipline designed to clear the mind and support a state of serene, detached awareness. The practice for increasing static qualities are known as yoga. There are even four distinguished types of people and particular yoga practice that are suitable for each type of person: raja yoga is for meditative people, jnana yoga is for rational people, karma yoga is for naturally active people and bhakti yoga is for emotional people. Bhakti yoga is the most embrace spiritual path by Indian followers of Hinduism....
Words: 979 - Pages: 4
...The Religion Hinduism Hum/130 The religion of Hinduism is very complicated and has many different aspects to it, from cultural and social influences. This paper will discuss these many different aspects that make up this belief system, along with the liberation from earthly existence. The term Hinduism is not the main word used today for this religion, the term used in this modern time is Sanatana Dharma. The religion has a wide range of expressions and beliefs that is believed to have developed of the course of approximately ten thousand years. “The spiritual expressions of Sanatana Dharma range from extreme asceticism to extreme sensuality, from the heights of personal devotion to a deity to the heights of abstract philosophy, from metaphysical proclamations of the oneness behind the material world to worship of images representing a multiplicity of deities. According to tradition, there are actually 330 million deities in India. The feeling is that the divine has countless faces.”(Fisher, 2005, p. 69). There is a philosophical and metaphysical element to Hinduism. The Vedic age is believed to exist from around 2500 BCE. Many people believe that today’s Sanatana Dharma stems from this period. This worship consists of the praising of hymns and the worship of the cow. It is believed that the cow is a sacred animal. “In the Aryan Invasion Theory of Western historians, the highly organized cultures of the Indus Valley and the villages in other parts of the subcontinent...
Words: 773 - Pages: 4
...R AJA Y OGA rajyaeg S WAMI V IVEKANANDA CELEPHAÏS PRESS Issued by Celephaïs Press, somewhere beyond the Tanarian Hills (i.e. Leeds, England), August 2003 E.V. Revised and corrected, November 2003. This work is in the public domain. EACH SOUL IS POTENTIALLY DIVINE. THE GOAL IS TO MANIFEST THIS DIVINE WITHIN, BY CONTROLLING NATURE, EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL. DO THIS EITHER BY WORK, OR WORSHIP, OR PSYCHIC CONTROL, OR PHILOSOPHY, BY ONE, OR MORE, OR ALL OF THESE—AND BE FREE. IS THE WHOLE OF RELIGION. DOCTRINES, OR DOGMAS, OR RITUALS, OR BOOKS, OR TEMPLES, OR FORMS, ARE BUT SECONDARY DETAILS. THIS PREFACE SINCE the dawn of history, various extraordinary phenomena have been recorded as happening amongst human beings. Witnesses are not wanting in modern times to attest the fact of such events, even in societies living under the full blaze of modern science. The vast mass of such evidence is unreliable, as coming from ignorant, superstitious, or fraudulent persons. In many instances the so-called miracles are imitations. But what do they imitate? It is not the sign of a candid and scientific mind to throw overboard anything without proper investigation. Surface scientists, unable to explain the various extraordinary mental phenomena, strive to ignore their very existence. They are, therefore, more culpable than those who think that their prayers are answered by a being, or beings, above the clouds, or than those who believe that their petitions will make such beings...
Words: 64342 - Pages: 258
...spiritual paths of the Hindu when he said, “Yoga is the journey of the self to the self through the self”. That discovery comes in 4 separate and distinct forms. Common American perception is that the practice of yoga is primarily a physical practice separate and apart from religion. “The word yoga derives from the same root as does the English word yoke; meaning to unite and place under disciplined training”. Americans take this definition literally and only consider the physical aspect of yoga training. This approach leads to a gap in the most enlightening aspects of yoga; spiritual training. Like many of the world’s religions Hinduism has one distinct goal and that is to unite the human spirit with God. Hindu’s believe that there are 4 separate paths to reaching enlightenment and uniting your spirit with God via the spiritual and physical discipline that is yoga. Because of the variety and complexity of the human personality, Hinduism understands that we all approach our spirituality from different points in life. The focus of the four paths is on the strongest aspect of the personality with the ultimate goal of “rendering the surface self-transparent to its underlying divinity; cleansed of its gross impurities”. The four paths of yoga are Jnana Yoga (the path through knowledge), Bhakti Yoga (the path through love), KarmaYoga (the path through work), and Raja Yoga (the path of the psychophysical). Jnana Yoga is considered the yoga for the rational. It is said that Jnana...
Words: 549 - Pages: 3
...p.73). The rebirth can take place in another human or animal, however the human body is the most prestigious physical body. Karma is another important belief of the Hindu. Karma is the belief that one’s actions and thoughts in life define our future. Every action affects the future of an individual’s life (Fisher, 2005, p.73). In the Hindu religion the goal is to overcome the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, this is known as samsara. Overcoming samsara is referred to as moksha, to be free from the “limitations of space, time, and matter through realization of the immortal Absolute” (Fisher, 2005, p. 75). In addition to the belief of reincarnation and karma Hindus have been practicing spiritual disciplines such as yoga since ancient times. Yoga is known as the union with an individual’s true being (Fisher, 2005, p.76). There are several different...
Words: 736 - Pages: 3
...strange. But I am in fact just listing some of the yoga poses. I have been practicing yoga for the past two years and if it weren’t for yoga, I too would hate Mondays, as I get to practice yoga every Monday morning. Over the next few minutes, I’m going to discuss the physical benefits, and mental benefits, as well as ways that you can incorporate yoga into your daily lives. To begin with I’m going to start of with the physical benefits of yoga: Yoga is a great therapy for fatigued muscles. It relives tension, joint pain, and helps with muscular imbalances. Muscular imbalances happen when you use the dominant side of your body over the other side. Such as holding a bag on your right shoulder all ay, or being an athlete that uses your left hand. Each pose and posture requires balance, which helps to elevate these imbalances. Also because yoga alleviates muscle pain, various athletes like to use yoga in their daily lives. Athletes such as LeBron James and Shaquille o Neil. According to the American Cancer society website, Article titled Yoga, published in May 2008, there is evidence that suggests that yoga might be helpful when used as medical treatment to help relives symptoms of asthma, cancer, , diabetes, dug addiction, high blood pressure, heart disease and migraines. This man right here is Arthur Boorman, and he a veteran of the gulf war. He was crippled in his knees and back and after 10 months of intensive yoga treatment, he was able to loose 100 pounds, and not...
Words: 722 - Pages: 3
...Stress can cause many health issues and academic performance can be poor as a result of that. It is very important to take some kind of action in order to reduce stress. For example, several yogic case studies demonstrated that there is an improvement in academic performance and alertness when practicing yoga exercises. “Effect of Yoga on Academic Performance in Relation to Stress” study by Amit Kauts and Neelam Sharma concentrated on the effect of yoga on academic performance in relation to stress. The study was based on 800 adolescent students, where 159 were high-stress students and 142 low-stress students. Experimental and control groups completed several tests and yoga module consisted of yoga asanas, meditation, orientation programs and such for seven weeks. Their results concluded that students who practices yoga performed better in academics post experiment. It also further explained that “low-stress students performed better than high-stress students, meaning thereby that stress effects the students’ performance”. The study reflects that through yoga techniques of meditation and practices of yoga yields a positive effect in the management of stress in adolescents. After four weeks yogasanas and meditations lowers aggression behavior, improves memory and focus. It also clearly demonstrates that excessive stress is extremely harmful to academic performance and may result in bad greats that later will lead to dropping out. (are we citing APA or MLA style?) Effect of...
Words: 452 - Pages: 2
