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The Origins of Yoga
Yoga (Devangari: योग) is a group of ancient spiritual practices originating in India.
As a general term in Hinduism it has been defined as referring to "technologies or disciplines of asceticism and meditation which are thought to lead to spiritual experience and profound understanding or insight into the nature of existence." Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga (see Yoga as exercise), although it has influenced the entire dharmic religions family and other spiritual practices throughout the world.
Hindu texts discussing different aspects of yoga include the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita, and many others
Major branches of Yoga include: Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga, known simply as Yoga in the context of , is one of the six orthodox (stika) schools of thought, established by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
There are many types of yoga falling basically into two types, the divisions of classical yoga techniques and the many modern styles of yoga. The classical yoga techniques are listed below.
These all date back almost to the origins of yoga, they allow people to follow the type of yoga that is best suited to their temperament and life styles. All of these paths alone can lead the participant to enlightenment but in practice it is normal for there to be considerable overlap and parts of each discipline can be brought into your favoured path.
Shanti Yoga The healing path is the synthesis of the physical attributes of Hatha, Tantric and Karma Yoga with the spiritual, philosophical and psychological aspects of Raja, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga. Shanti Yoga borrows freely from other great philosophies of the world, like Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Zen, Sufism to de-mystify many concepts and clarify and reinforce Shanti's teachings.
This is the yoga of devotion, worship and focused love. Traditionally the focus could be on a deity or on ones personal Guru. Westerners who have strong religious backgrounds would feel comfortable with this branch of Yoga as it would fit in with worship in whatever form.
This is the path of spiritual knowledge and wisdom and would suit someone who had an intellectual temperament.
Yoga-Breaks
Karma Yoga is the path of selfless service, of working or performing actions without seeking any reward. Most yoga ashrams have periods of "Karma Yoga" when those staying at the ashram can help with daily tasks.
Yoga Retreats
Kundalini yoga aims to awaken the potential energies at the base of the spine (Symbolised as a coiled snake) and direct this energy upwards through the spine and the Chakras thus bringing about increasing degrees of enlightenment. When the energy reaches the head (Sahasrara Chakra) then intuitive enlightenment is triggered.
Mantra Yoga involves the practice of chanting words or phrases repeatedly either aloud or internally thus influencing the consciousness. The rhythmic repetition of mantras is called Japa.
Raja yoga means Royal yoga and
is associated with the yoga of Patanjali who promulgated the Yoga
Sutras,
here
he lists the eightfold path or the eight limbs of yoga. These are :-
Yama, Niyama,
Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara,
Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
Yama
(Abstentions) are:-
Non Violence, Truthfulness, Non Stealing, Purity, Avoidance of Greed.
Niyama (Observances) are :-
Cleanliness, Contentment,
Austerity, Study or Wisdom, Devotion to the Divine.
Asana
(Postures):-
The physical posture work familiar in most yoga classes.
Pranayama (Breath Control):-
Control of breath and direction of Prana
(Life Force Energy) within the body.
Pratyahara (sense withdrawal):-
Detaching the mind from the 5 senses
Dharana (Concentration):-
Holding the mind on a particular object or thought, Single pointed awareness.
Dhyana
(Meditation):-
Prolonged concentration to the point where it becomes effortless.
Samadhi Contemplation,
Union, Bliss:-
This has to be experienced to be understood, it is beyond words.
Tantric Yoga breaks into two distinct variations the Left hand and Right hand paths.
The Left hand path is the Tantra that most people have heard about, it is a yoga found mainly in Northern India and Tibet and involves the union of male and female either actually or in the imagination.
The Right hand path is epitomised by the Bihar Yoga and Mandala Ashram below and encourages Fidelity and Celibacy. Here the emphasis is on Kriya Yoga which comes under the general heading of Tantra. see below.
Kriya Yoga is a very systemised form of yoga from the Tantras, There are about 70 Kriyas or actions of which only about 20 are in common usage. Kriya yoga increases concentration and leads to meditation and ultimately to enlightenment but this is done more through awareness than pure concentration. Again this system is taught at Mandala Ashram.
Similar to Mantra yoga but involving sight and form. Yantras are colourful geometric mandalas or designs which are used for concentration ether on the Mandala itself or during the preparation of the Mandala.
Hatha yoga. (Sanskrit yoga), also known as Hatha vidya, is a particular system of Yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In this treatise Swatmarama introduces Hatha Yoga as 'a stairway to the heights of Raja Yoga', hence a preparatory stage of physical purification that renders the body fit for the practise of higher meditation. The Asanas and Pranayama in Raja Yoga were what the Hindu Yogis used to physically train their body for long periods of meditation. This practise is called shatkarma. The word Hatha is a compound of the words Ha and Tha meaning sun and moon and refers to the principal nadis (energy channels) of the subtle body that must be fully operational to attain a state of dhyana or samadhi. In other respects Hatha yoga follows the same principles as the Raja Yoga of Patanjali including moral restraint yama and spiritual observances niyama. Hatha Yoga is what most people in the West associate with the word "Yoga" and is practiced for mental and physical health throughout the West.
Following ancient Yoga traditions, Dru Yoga focuses on soft flowing movements, Dru Yoga can help to relieve stress, increase energy levels and strengthen your immune system.
Designed to suit all ages and abilities of fitness levels. Dru Yoga is a style that can be an in depth experience and taken at any time in life.
In essence Dru Yoga is a wonderful way to relieve the pressures of modern living. Dru Yoga is rapidly growing in it's popularity, as thousands of students all over the world are discovering.
Using controlled breathing, visualisation and soft flowing movements enabling any worries and stress to melt away.
Whilst working on both the mind and body, strengthening of the core system and stability, leaving you feeling positive about yourself,
Dru Yoga focuses on relieving the pressures of modern day living. By practising Dru Yoga you will learn how to create energy and how to channel that energy into the manifestation of hopes and dreams in a wonderfully positive manner.
With Dru Yoga the many postures and sequences concentrate on activating the ANAHATA CHAKRAOR " the heart centre. We all need a healthy and happy heart to lead a wonderful fulfilled ed life.
The Thymus gland plays a strong role in helping you to achieve a healthy heart and strong immune system. This gland is to be found in the Sternum area close to the heart. Using Dru Yoga sequenced movements and postures we can help to stimulate the energies of the heart, chakra in turn massages the physical heart and energises the Thymus gland to commence a healthy healing process.
Opening the heart centre allows us to become happier and to really enjoy life. Your energy or life force is known as "PRANA" by looking after your heart centre not only helps to create peace and contentment in life but gives you the energy to achieve your goals in life and the belief that you can do it.
Dru Yoga benefits all, whether it is inner peace you seek or to improve your core stability, the overall sense of well being will merge together as one.
Join us on a journey in a place where your sense of well being is all that is important and exercise your body and soul, again. Take time out for a weekend or short break and join us, for a specialist holistic workshop or Dru Yoga holiday.
Whatever your reason, join us on the Costa Blanca, Spain for a fabulous time and make new friends. Perfectly located for tranquillity and yet within 800m of Moraira's blue flag sandy beach, chillout cafes, superb cuisine and shops, to enjoy the most perfect Yoga holiday.
We chose Moraira especially for its geographical location. Our oasis is wonderfully protected by the energies of the tiger and the strength of the dragon mountains that unite in harmony at the calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
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