Yoga TechniquesYoga, that age-old science – and art – of keeping healthy and fit, of longevity and spirituality has, for the good of mankind, developed a hundred thousand techniques. These yoga techniques have arisen out of the need to practicalize the teachings of the sages from Sri Krishna to Patanjali and others. But the founding fathers of the philosophy still remain these two. As oft repeated, Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root, “Yujir Yogey”, meaning to join, to yoke, to unite. This signifies union in two respects:
- Mind / body harmony
- Union between the Individual Self and the Supreme Self
While the latter might seem tougher to arrive at and still in the realm of a pipe dream for most, there is no denying the fact that, if the teachings and yoga techniques are employed optimally, it is still an attainable goal. But here again the techniques come into play. Simply stated the techniques go as follows:
All of them have been classified and categorized, even augmented, down the ages, all in tune with the changing and evolving needs and requirements of the times. So much so that today there are literally thousands of poses (asanas). While the number of breathing techniques still remains 6 or 7, the meditation techniques are, again innumerable.
Even the two abovementioned sages are considered the fathers of Yoga, there is no doubting the fact that, down the centuries, countless evolved souls of the highest order have contributed their mite, resulting in the growth and intensification of this science / art of living. The subsequent pages elucidates in detail – as do the sections on Yoga poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), cleansing techniques (kriyas) and meditation (dhyana) – many of these yoga techniques can be used to bring the body and mind into balance and harmony and, hopefully, even techniques to attaining to emancipation.
|
