YOGA

THE HISTORY OF YOGA

Yoga is a tree that sprouted and grew in India 3700 years ago. Yoga predates Buddhism and Hinduism, as practiced by the Dravidians in southern India in 1700 BC. It is one of the six fundamental traditional philosophical systems of India called SAD DARSANAS: Nyaya (analysis / retrospection), Vaisesika (differentiation), Samkhya (enumeration), Yoga (coupling), Mimamsa (exploration), Vedanta (last study).

Yoga is an "Indian philosophical system and form of asceticism". The word "yoga" is Sanskrit and means the yoke that binds two animals to pull a chariot or a plow. The word yoga literally means "yoke", but metaphorically denotes the coupling of opposing or scattered forces and energies, the union of the superior with the inferior, the inner with the inner, the restraint, the discipline, the connection and the harmony of its levels. of existence (physical-energetic / mental / mental-spiritual). Although yoga is clearly a philosophical system, it also contains a practical ascetic side.

THE 4+1 PATHS OF YOGA 
Over the centuries of yoga history, different paths have emerged which are called "margas". Each path is aimed at people with different temperaments.

• KARMA YOGA - Karma-yogi expresses the connection with the universe through his hands. He attributes his actions to the universe, realizing connection and unity through the exchange of service.
• BHAKTI YOGA - Bhakti is the path of the heart where the practitioner chooses a point that focuses his devotion. It is the transmutation of emotions into devotion.
• JNANA YOGA - Aimed at those who are intellectual, learned, with philosophical concerns. Through the path of truth and learning the practitioner sees the Wholeness in every place, he sees the same Spiritual Principle in every manifestation of form and energy.
• RAJA YOGA - Aimed at those who are ascetic and love initiation into meditation techniques that lead to control of body and mind.
• HATHA YOGA - As a complement to the Raja Yoga path, Hatha Yoga emerged from the 11th century AD, incorporating elements from the mystical Tantra movement. Hatha Yoga aims at consistently good health, hardening, discipline, control, purification and balancing of the material and energy body. Includes practices such as ASANAS, PRANAYAMA, MUDRAS, BANDHAS, KRIYAS.

THE ASTA ANGAS (8 LIMBS OF YOGA)
The eight points are the basic structure of Raja Yoga. 

• YAMAS: These are five suggested principles of behavior of the trainee mainly in relation to the environment. The five gamas are: Achimsa (non-violent thinking, speech, behavior, manner of practicing, no harm to other beings), Satya (philanthropy, search for inner truth, expressive non-misleading behavior, avoidance of lying), Homeless (non-theft), Brahmatsarya (restraint in the pleasures of the senses, avoidance of wastage and degradation of energies), Aparigraha (avoidance of possessiveness, non-attachment to objects-ideas-persons-habits-situations-avoidance of greed).
• NIYAMAS: These are five suggested principles concerning the trainee's personal practice. The five Niyamas are: Sauha (purity of thoughts, cleanliness and hygiene of the body, clothes, space). Santoza (self-sufficiency and oligarchy, gratitude and pleasure with what we already have, inner sense of satisfaction and fullness). Tapas (discipline and asceticism. Asceticism usually means fasting, forced silence / silence, physical exercise, breathing exercise). Svanthyagya (study of traditional texts, study of behavior, philosophical reflection, self-examination). Isvara Pranjhana (acceptance of a higher power that pervades the universe, humility and reverence for the manifestations and forms of the universe).
• ASANA: The conscious, aligned, stable and comfortable position at a selected energy point in space and time, with a specific duration of stay and defined rhythmic coordination of the breathing cycle, predetermined focus point of the gaze, organized flow of the rays of the mind.
• PRANAYAMA: The control, the expansion of prana, of bioenergy through the regulation of the respiratory cycle. The goal is to improve the flow of prana through the energy channels of the body, but also to control the fluctuations of the mind, as mind and breath are directly connected. The practice of pranayama techniques must be done separately from the practice of asana. If one has to combine them, it is better to do the pranayamas after the asanas and before the meditation and the final relaxation. Suitable asanas for pranayama are the sitting postures intended for meditation.
• PRATYAHARA: The withdrawal of the mind's attention from the multiple external stimuli of the five senses and the turning of attention to the inner world.
• DHARANA: Self-concentration, focusing on one point, either externally or internally. The focal point can be a dot, the flame of a candle, an image, a concept, a sound, a mantra, a word, a shape (mandala).
• DHYANA: Meditation, the uninterrupted flow of attention and thought to a single point, so that the practitioner loses the illusory sense of duality. In meditation, the meditator, the object of meditation, and the fact of meditation, are all in an inseparable unity.
• SAMADHI: The achievement of superconsciousness. The practitioner feels connected to the invisible source of awareness. The enlightened state of mind is established. The practitioner acquires easy access to intuitive superior knowledge.

BENEFITS FROM HATHA YOGA PRACTICE:

• ORTHOSOMY: avoidance of muscle tension and pain thanks to the correct non-abrasive placement of the bones and joints.
• ENHANCED SENSE OF BALANCE
• WIDER JOINT MOVEMENT IN THE JOINTS
• QUALITY CONSCIOUS BREATHING: avoidance of headaches resulting from reduced oxygen supply, increased vitality thanks to the successful delivery of oxygen, treatment of asthma.
• CALM - CLEAR MIND - RELAXATION
• INCREASED ATTENTION FOCUS (self-concentration)
• QUALITY SLEEP: successful treatment of insomnia, more complete rest and rejuvenation through conscious muscle relaxation.
• STIMULATION & BALANCE OF ENDOCRIN GLAND FUNCTION (especially of the thyroid and parathyroid glands)
• IMPROVEMENT OF MEMORY CAPACITY
• GENERAL UNBREAKABLE FUNCTIONING OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: treatment of constipation.

MEDITATION

Meditation is an inner journey to read our personal map but also to explore further and adjust it by drawing new boundaries. It is a natural state of consciousness and existence. It is the emptying of the mind, the emptying of our thoughts and feelings. Exercise in meditation has three clear purposes 1. To impose calm on the body, mind, and spirit. 2. To focus attention 3. To lead to the fulfillment of goals.

DEEP RELAXATION

Deep relaxation is the calm restless state of the material body and mind where there are no conflicts and tensions. Relaxation is necessary for the true rest and rejuvenation of the body at all levels (physical-energy-spiritual level).

The benefits and benefits of relaxation are invaluable. Relaxation lowers blood pressure, opens the door to creativity, spreads clarity in the mind, teaches calmness and dominance in the nervous system, can be applied as a support in conditions of pressure and pain, facilitates introspection and self-knowledge.

SUN SALUTATION / SURYA NAMASKAR 

In Hindu mythology the Sun is worshiped as a symbol of the physical and spiritual heart of the world and as the creator of life. The form of the Supreme Truth and Knowledge, the Awakening of Consciousness, is represented by the Sun. One way to glorify the sun was through a series of "pilgrimages", places where traditionally performed at dawn, looking at the rising sun. In time, each of the places came to have its own mantra, its own expression of hymn to the divine form of the sun. The Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar is a preparation of the whole body. It consists of 12 positions that are performed as one exercise. Each position works the body in a different way than its predecessor, expanding or contracting the chest to regulate breathing. These 12 positions represent the 12 hours of the day.

The movements can be performed slowly or dynamically but it is always better to synchronize with the breathing. As the breath becomes more conscious, it deepens and lengthens. Prolonged respiration symbolizes the prolongation of human life. Breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Nasal breathing filters and warms the air, while protecting you from hyperoxygenation.

 Daily practice gives flexibility to the spine and joints. Improves muscle flexibility. It opens the chest and helps in the natural alignment of the hands. Activates the digestive function and fights indigestion. Oxygenates the blood and dilates the lungs. Stimulates the nervous system and improves memory. Soothes nervousness and prepares us for sleep.