"This is not intended to be a scholarly treatise on yoga philosophy; the subject is so vast that it would be presumptuous of me to try." Alice Christensen Echoing similar sentiments, I have used the words of the yogi-authors (see below) in this attempt to introduce you to Rāja Yóga. Type of Yoga The name Rāja …
Tag: yama
Aparigraha – Non Hoarding
"Freedom does not come from acquisition. It comes from letting go." Sogyal Rinpoche In the Bhagavad Gita it is said, "The yogi is quite happy with what comes unsought"; but here Patanajli goes further and says, "Stop receiving even that" (Svāmi Venkateśananda). Meaning, a person practicing Asteya (non-stealing) may not steal, but if something …
Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya is much more than the popular notion of celibacy. While celibacy is a must for those choosing the life of monk and svāmihood, the rest who partake the sensory world, will certainly appreciate a simpler explanation of Brahmacharya. Living in a society permeated with pleasure, the principle of Brahmacharya presents a ground rule towards …
Yama and Niyama
What constitutes, Raja Yoga, is listed in the second chapter, Sādhana Pāda in the YogaSutra. Sādhana Pāda means laying out the practical hints so a seeker can actually practice to make any progress on the yogic path. यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२.२९ Yama-niyama-āsana-prāṇāyāma-pratyāhāra-dhāraṇā-dhyāna-samādhayo'ṣṭāvaṅgāni||29||According to this sutra the eight limbs, aṣṭāṅga are: Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prānayāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhārana, Dhyāna and Samādhi. This post is only an introduction …
warm ups
The dictionary definition of warm up is the act of preparation for a game, performance, or workout, involving gentle, loosening exercises. To perform the best on the field, stage, tennis court, even on a yoga mat, warm ups are absolutely essential. Although many in the yoga world agree warm ups are important, the push for …
first 5 limbs of raja yoga
Raja Yoga, the "Royal Yoga," is a combination of all other yoga disciplines and the science of God-realization with a step-by-step means of reuniting the soul with the Spirit. Paramahamsa Yogananda As I introduce you to the eight fold path of Rāja Yoga, it is a pleasure for me to study it with you - again.Though …
