Fit and Youthful Life

Guest Author: anonymous


Maybe your doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or best friend told you Yoga would be good for you. You have heard so much about Yoga; it seems that Yoga is a “cure” for almost anything. The more you hear, the more confusing it is to understand what Yoga is all about.

Should you go out and buy a Yoga book? What would be the best Yoga book to buy? If you visit the local book store, you see hundreds of Yoga books, CD’s, DVD’s, card decks, and kits. Should you buy a copy of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali or buy one of the “for dummies” Yoga books?

Below is an overview of Yoga, which may help you decide your path of Yogic study. There is no right or wrong path of Yoga study, but be selective when you choose a Yoga teacher, Yoga book, or Yoga class.

You should first realize that there are many styles of Yoga. There are nine major styles of Yoga; many more styles exist, as well as many sub-styles. The nine major styles of Yoga are Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantra, and Yantra Yoga. Each style emphasizes unity of body, mind, and spirit.

The literal meaning of Yoga is “union” or “unity.” If we can unify the body, mind, and spirit in harmony, we can achieve tranquility. One of the main purposes of Yoga is tranquility through improved health due to a holistic approach to life.

India is the birth place of Yoga. There are many written works about Yoga, but the origin of Yoga dates back thousands of years. Yoga is the “mother” of most of the world’s health maintenance systems. Asian martial arts, with an origin from the Shaolin temple, and Pilates, can trace their ancestry back to Yoga.

The “higher forms of Yoga” are said to be Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, and Raja Yoga. Each of these four styles is a complex subject, within themselves, and I cannot do them justice by a summarization.

Hatha Yoga sub-styles are the most prolific outside of India. Most new Yoga practitioners will learn a Hatha Yoga sub-style first. Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, primarily emphasize physical health, which will likely result in improved mental health. Most Hatha Yoga classes, outside of India, do not approach spiritual health.

Nevertheless, Hatha Yoga is seen by fundamentalists as an “export of Hinduism.” In some rare instances, this may be true, but most Hatha Yoga teachers are content to teach improved health for body and mind.

Therefore, when you choose a book, or local Yoga teacher, be aware that the Yoga teacher or Guru is a guide – but you have a right to know which direction you are being guided to. The Yoga practitioner learns to expand his or her mind and make independent decisions “along the way.”

Yoga is non-threatening to religion. If a Yoga instructor teaches intolerance, of any kind, that is not Yoga. Unity is not sectarianism. We have to learn to appreciate diversity, and we should never tolerate prejudice. Prejudice and intolerance are often the cause of crime and wars.

On the “Grand Scale,” the goals of Yoga are the end of suffering, tranquility, and world peace through unity.

Copyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications



Secret of Youth

Guest Author: Bertil Hjert


The markets of sporting goods are equipped with a comprehensive range of yoga accessories, which enable you to practice your yoga asanas in a more comfortable manner which will further lead to derive maximum out of them.

But it is not necessary to purchase all of the accessories, rather it is recommended to opt for the necessary ones. Unlike other sports, yoga does not require different types of expensive accessories rather the only major equipment required by it is your “BODY”.

The yoga accessories play a significant role in making you to perform various yoga asanas safely, as they may prevent you from unexpected slips and slides while practicing them.

- Different types of yoga accessories:

The followings are the different types of yoga accessories, which will enable you to perform yoga in a more comfortable manner, but as discussed earlier, it is not necessary to have all of them.

a) Yoga Books

b) There is a wide range of yoga books which are considered as the perfect yoga accessories in guiding the practitioners while performing yoga.

c) Yoga Apparels

One of the most common yoga accessories is the yoga clothing which plays a significant role in the world of yoga. It is always recommended to opt for the comfortable pair of yoga apparels so as to enable free movements of your body while performing different types of yoga asanas. The various types of yoga apparels include yoga pants, T-shirts, yoga shorts, etc.

d) Blankets

There are different types of blankets available in the market which can be placed on the floor to proffer comfortability to every part of the body.

e) Benches

There are various benches available along with the cushions on their back in order to deliver comfort and relaxation while meditating. Not only this, they also proffer an excellent support to the body while performing any stretching or deep breathing asanas.

f) Straps

These yoga straps are used for yoga stretches so as to enable the performers to maintain a particular position for longer hours in order to obtain the best results.

g) Sandbags

The sandbags are generally used during the yoga asanas in order to enable the toning up of the muscles at a faster rate.

h) Yoga Balls

The yoga balls are used for various yoga exercise programs.

i) Yoga Bag

The yoga bags are especially equipped with an adequate amount of space so as to carry the various types of yoga accessories to the yoga class.

j) Yoga Mats

The yoga mats act as the center stage for all types of yoga exercises and meditations. They also enable the body to perform various asanas at an ease. They also prevent unexpected slipping and sliding of the performer while practicing.

k) Yoga DVD’s

There are different types of Yoga DVD’s available in the market, which generally guide you while practicing yoga exercises when you want to perform yoga at your own place. Basically, they act as the yoga teachers.

Though, the purchase of all these accessories is not necessary, but they are considered as the useful items in order to perform the yoga asanas at an ease and with comfortability.