FUNDAMENTAL CONTENTS OF YOGA

Himalayan Yoga Academy presents an article on FUNDAMENTAL CONTENTS OF YOGA (योगको आधारभूत तत्त्वहरू ) for a better understanding. It is briefly discussed below.

Understanding of Yoga

Omkar introduction –

A-U-M Om : (Divine Power)
A – Creation / Birth; U – operation / existence / life; M – Holocaust / Resurrection/ Death

PRAYER – प्राथना

AUM /OM:
A: U: M =     A……………………………………………………………….………….U…………………….………..…………M..…….
A: U: M =   A…………………..……U…………………………….…………………………………………..……….M……………..….
A: U: M =    A…………………U……………………..M……………….………………….………………………………….……..……..

YOGA Bandana,- GURU MANTRA:

OM Namo Guru Dev Namo! “ॐ नमो गुरु देव् नमो”-
       Meaning:     I bow, or salutations to the divine Master.

Meaning of Yoga as Different Texts

According to Panini Sanskrit grammar, yoga is made up of the “yuj” dhatu/root but the meaning is different for each.
 I) Divadiganiya ( दिवादिगणीय), ‘Uj – Samadhau’ ‘युज – समाधौ’ from Dhaatu – Samadhi.
 II) Rudhadiganiya (रुधादिगणीय), ‘Ujira Yoge dhaatu’ युजिर योगे धातु’ Samyog (Coincidence) or Mel (Union)
III) Churadiganeeya (चुरादिगणीय) -Yuj-samyamane – “युज- संयमने, restraint or regulation from root

Definition of Yoga –

I. Yoga commentator Maharshi Vyas wrote “Yoga: Samadhi“,“योग: समाधि”-Yoga is Samadhi.

II. “Yogashchittavrittinirodhah”: Pa. Su.1; 2 योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोध: पा. यो. सू..१; २; Yoga + sh + Chitta (mind, ego, intellect, Consciousness)  + vritti (Thoughts) 24-40 /sec.  + Nirodhah – Patanjali Yoga Sutra—–Meaning: the cessation of modifications of thoughts in chitta (more about of Mind+) is yoga.

III. “Sthitametata Sven Rupena” – “स्थितमेतत स्वेन रुपेण”(Chhandogya 8.3.4) – Yoga – The soul is situated in the self-form in the state of form by samadhi.

The personality and development of a yogi – acknowledgement of Yogi’s personalites, and also developing process via yogic means.

The field and usefulness of yoga = study of different yogic feilds and need of Yoga in human life. 

Identity related to yoga literatures – study fo different literatures for expanding our areas of knowledge.

The emergence of yoga and history of Yoga

Context of origin, Discussion of the interrelationship between Shiva civilization and Yoga

• Om Shiva’s Yoga Chaturtha: Hatha, Mantra, Laya and Raj Yoga – Advaita. The first disciple was Parvati and the second groups of disciples were the seven sages (Sapta Rishis).
• Description of Kailash and Himavat region and emergence of Himalayan civilization.
• Shiva na yoga inquirer, seeker, adiguru. Adiyogi, Yogeshwar, Adinath.
• Pashupatinath area as the first school of Shiva.
• Tantra Yoga as a dialogue between Shiva and Parvati, as well as Kundalini Yoga.

Tradition (परम्परा): Two traditions – Vedic and Nath (Hatha)

Vedic Tradition: Om Hiranyagarbho Yogastha Vaktaa  Nasyah Puratanah!  हिरण्यगर्भो योगास्थ वक्ता नास्य:पुरातन:।:. -Hirandagarbha is the oldest or the original spokesperson of yoga.
Naatha Tradition: Aadinaatha Shiva

Kaal Khand – Pre-Vedic period, Vedic period, Pre-classical, philosophy / Classical and Upanishad period, post classical and modern period.

Vedic period of yoga
Yogas in the Vedas and earlier Upanishads. The Rig Veda is the first reference text of Yoga. In 108 Upanishads, many refer to direct yoga. RIG VED – 3000 to 2000 B C. Poorva Upanishads 800- 600 BC

2. The importance or necessity of yoga in modern life

Health sector;  Medical field;  Education sector; Family sector;  Social sphere; Political sphere; Economic sector;  Mental sector; psychological sphere, Intellectual realm;  Spiritual realm.

3. The discipline of yoga

Praarambha ( Initiation) Deerghakaalin (Long term);  
Nirantarataa (Continuity); Shraddha (reverence);                                                    
Dhridha Prayatna (Perseverance);

4. The influential elements or obstacle elements of yoga

According to Hatha Pradeepika

Obstacles to the yoga path – Talkativeness; More labor/ Exertion; Over eating; Urging adherence to rules; More contacts; Flexibility of mind

The positive elements of the yoga path – Enthusiasm; Courage; Patience; Real knowledge; Resolution;  avoiding the company of common people,

5. Objectives:

Yoga education helps in self-discipline and sales control, leading to multiple levels of consciousness, concentration and higher levels of consciousness. In a nutshell, the aims and objectives of yoga education are:

1. Improve a person’s integrated health
2. To practice mental hygiene
3. Achieve emotional stability
4. To have inner peace, purity, rest and relaxation
5. Integrate moral values
6. To eternizing the mind and developing concentration
7. To awaken kundalini, the faminine power or spiritual energy
8. Get happiness, harmony, and bliss
9. To achieve a higher level of consciousness

6. Yog-charyaa (Yogic Attitudes)

1. Goals of life                                                                                                2. All victorious                 
3. Four means – Shastra, Guru, Sadhan, Paramatma                                     4. Preparation of sadhanaa    
5. Silent practice;                                                                                           6. Mantra recitations                
7. Sublime thoughts,                                                                                     8. Abandoning addiction
9. Abstinence from sleep,                                                                            10. Perseverance/effort

7. General Rules of Yoga Class

Introduction of Class;                          Environment of venue or Hall;                        Arrangement of Class,
Timing of class; Dress & Clothing;                                 Diet;                                 
Lifestyle;

8. Discussion of the types of yoga related literature, introduction, importance and features

* Karma Yoga, Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Dhyana Yoga mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita.
* According to Shiva Samhita, Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga and Raj Yoga.
* Tantra Yoga, Japa Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Swara Yoga based on Tantra Yoga
* Sanatan Yoga, Sankhya Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Akshatanga Yoga, based on Vedic Vagmaya

 9. Understanding Eastern Philosophy and the Yoga References

* Yoga elements in Vedanta and Mimamsa philosophy
* Yoga theory in Samkhya philosophy and yoga philosophy
* The importance of yoga in Nyaya and Vaishesika philosophy
* Use of yoga in Buddhist and Jain philosophy

“Hari Om Tat Sat” OM Shantih! Shantih!! Shantih !!!

OM TATSAT BRAMANE NAMAH !! ओम तत् सत् ब्रमणे नम: !!!  

 HAPPY NEW NEPALESE YEAR 2078 B.S. (2021 AD) TO ALL THE DIVINE SOULS!!!
नव वर्ष २०७८ को सम्पूर्ण दिव्यात्माहरुलाई हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना !!!

COVID YEAR

Last year’s New Year began with the epidemic of Covid-19. Now the situation was supposed to be comfortable, but again Corona is reported to have returned with a new dress. Those who say the vaccine can eradicate the covid-19, but somebody has been re-infected and have got already two doses of the vaccine.

Miscomprehension

Those of us who live a mechanical or artificial life today give value to external or artificial means and devices more than internal or natural means and rules. We have lived in hope, desire, and expectation more than improving ourselves, activating the entire potency, and disciplining the body and mind. People are looking and becoming so hopeful and then expressing their hopes in this way:

Oh! Some countries are going to make the vaccine; next month’s expression is: another country has already started to make it; another country has already made it, and now the vaccine is coming to our country. Now the agreement is done by the government with the country. It is coming within a month. 1 million has already been imported. Now then they have again debated whether the Indian vaccine is safe or the Chinese one or the English one, etc. But these types of faith also increased the self-confidence and resilience of the people of the world community.

But there was no any focus and role on saving nature, saving oneself, saving life, saving existence, no regreting, no realizing the facts and truth what we missed, misused or misguided. After all, life is alive with disease and pandemic, disruption and ignorance, but we couldn’t feel and experience the complete sense of life that we lost.

Ultimate Solution

Sirs! Epidemics are not solved via an artificial and temporary solution. Mask and Vaccines are not the final answer. To get rid of them, we should understand the universal ethics, code and conduct of life, manage our lifestyle and build the underlying natural vaccine within us. And also we should apply healthy food habit, good workplan, proper sleep, proper rest, positive willpower, self-confidence etc..

Daily Walk for 30 – 45 minutes, do at least 25 minutes of yoga asana, 20 minutes of pranayama, and 15 minutes of meditation. Do pranayama and meditation twice a day if possible. Yoga is not practiced, it is achieved and experienced. It is about reaching in discipline and getting Chaitanya (Higher consciousness. Yoga is the goal, which is achieved through meditation and Samadhi by preparing our ethics, values, asanas, pranayama, etc.

If possible, work in the field for 2 to 4 hours for farming, increase lung and heart function, break the sweat once, and strengthen your natural ventilation. So that it does not make us go into Ventilator. The two lungs inside our chest are our natural ventilators. The two nostrils are the doors to the ventilation. The heart between the two lungs is the computer of the natural ventilator. The pulmonary vessels of the heart and the airways of the lungs are the pipes of the ventilator. As long as you don’t keep it active, you can’t imagine a healthy life, a happy life, a long life, a happy life.

Therefore, regular aerobics exercises, asanas, breathing exercises, pranayama, gesture (Mudra), meditation, it is important to strengthen the lungs, heart and all vital organs what we have.

Eat organic and natural foods, do not eat meat, eat fewer dairy products, do not watch the news, do not read the news, sleep soundly, have fun, love nature, serve and love animals and humans, and be your shepherd rather than the shepherd of others. Be positive in life except covid-19 and be able to win easily from corona. And be happy with New Year’s new energy, new vigor, new hope, new wishes, new dreams, new goals.

Bhavatu Sarva Mangalam. भवतु सर्व मङ्गलम।

Happy New Year, 2078 again!

Hari om tatsat !! हरि ओम तत् सत् !!

Fundamental Principles of Yoga

Himalayan Yoga Academy presents content highlighting the Fundamentals of Yoga Teacher Training Course. Yoga is a complex tradition, which has a history of 15000 or more years. Beginners are easily overwhelmed by the depth, vastness, and richness of practice and Yoga, the study of philosophy, and principles. But there are a few highlights of principles that, once grasped, provide easier access to all the numerous aspects of Yoga.

A deep pure transformation is the aim of our Yoga Teacher Training Course

Learning different cleansing techniques, and mantras, practicing Asanas, mudras, pranayamas, Meditation, studying philosophy, connecting back to nature, breathing techniques,  relaxation techniques, and everyday meditation will bring tranquility and clarity in your physical and mental levels that will lead to ward yogic state. Though yoga asana and pranayama are important practices of Yoga meditation is the final means or vehicle for Samadhi and then the state of Yoga.  This is one of the aims of our Yoga Teacher Training. Then one can experience the joy of being free from inhibitions, stress, pain, and pressures of a fast and busy life.

Five Principles of Fundamentals of Yoga Teacher Training Course

1. Liberation Teaching Fundamentals of Yoga Teacher Training Course

Yoga is what is traditionally called a liberation science. It seeks to liberate us from our limited notion of who we are. We habitually identify with our particular body, mind, possessions, and relationships (which we often treat like possessions). But this mental-emotional habit, according to Yoga, is really a profound and fateful misidentification. It keeps us stuck in our behavioral grooves, causing us to experience suffering (dukha) over and over again.

Who we are in truth is something or someone beyond our particular body, mind, possessions, and relationships. From a yogic perspective, we are immortal, super conscious Beings. As that Being, we are unlimited and free. All of Yoga’s teachings aim at helping us to realize this fundamental truth.

2. Schooling in Yoga

Human beings have different strengths and weaknesses, even lives run via universal codes and conduct. The masters of Yoga have designed various approaches so that Yoga can be helpful to everyone. Thus there are different forms of yoga that correspond to specific physiological, emotional, and mental capacities and faculties. Generally, some schoolings of Yoga are listed below:

TANTRA YOGA: is the “Continuity Yoga” aiming at liberation through rituals, visualizations, subtle energy work, and the perception of the identity (or continuity) of the ordinary world and the transcendental Reality.

KUNDALINI YOGA: Kundalini Yoga is a part of Tantra Yoga and one of the stages of all types of Yoga. Any type of Yoga ultimately hit on chakras and energy follows throughout nadis. It is itself the totality of the yogic path.

ASHTANGA YOGA: Ashtanga Yoga is a concise pattern of wholesome yogic practice. It is the totality of Yoga as a modified form sorting of beginning stages to higher stages. Ashtanga Yoga,  the eightfold path of Patanjali Yoga Sutra, is also called “Classical Yoga”.

HATHA YOGA: The “Forceful Yoga” aims at liberation through physical means and transformation.

MANTRA YOGA: The “Yoga of Potent Sound” aiming at liberation through the recitation (aloud or mental) of empowered sounds (such as om, hûm, ram, hare Krishna, etc.) – often considered an aspect of Tantra-Yoga.

LAYA YOGA: The rhythmic path of Yoga. It happens throughout the purity of body and mind.

RAJA YOGA: The “Royal Yoga” aims at liberation through meditation, which is for practitioners who are capable of intense concentration. Raja yoga is the aim of Yoga attained by an easy way of yogic practice.

KARMA YOGA: “Action Yoga” aiming at liberation through self-transcending service.

BHAKTI YOGA: The “Devotional Yoga” aiming at liberation through self-surrender in the face of the Divine.

JNANA YOGA: The “Wisdom of Yoga” aims at liberation through the steady application of higher wisdom that discerns between the real and the unreal.

DHYANA YOGA: Dhyana (Meditation) is the final tool or device of Yoga. In any schooling of Yoga, there is meditation part as the major key for yoga practice mentioned in all texts like Bhagvat Gita, Samkhya Yoga, Yoga Darshan, Shiva Samhita, Goraksha Samhita,  Hatha Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and In so on.

3. Dharma

All branches and forms of Yoga have as their foundation a sound moral life. Such a life is guided by the principle of dharma, which means” quality, attributes, nature, “morality,” “law,” “order,” and “virtue.” It stands for moral virtues like non-harming (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), abstention from theft (Asteya), right attitude (Brahmacharya), compassion (Karuna), and kindness (Maitreya). For example; The Dharma of water is to cool & wet and the Dharma of the sun is to give heat and light. Without a firm grounding in these moral principles, Yoga cannot lead us to its ultimate goal of liberation. A morally sound life, however, allows us to stop the creation of negative effects and to focus our energies like a laser beam so that we can fully discover or realize our true nature.

4. Continuum of Theory & Practice

Yoga is a continuum of theory and practice. That is to say, Yoga is not merely an armchair philosophy, nor is it merely a battery of practices. To engage in Yoga properly and successfully, one must pay due attention to the ideas behind its practical disciplines and, vice versa, to the exercises and techniques embodying its theories. This calls for thoughtful and mindful practice. For instance, regular and correct practice of yogic postures will undoubtedly help us maintain good physical health.

5. Commitment to self-transformation

However simple a particular yogic approach may be, all approaches require a profound commitment to self-transformation. If we fear change and tend to cling to our established ways, we cannot succeed in Yoga. The practice of Yoga calls for considerable personal.

Chakras Sadhana

The word “chakra” literally means spinning wheel. Yoga maintains that chakras are the center points of energy, thoughts, feelings, and the physical body. According to yogic teachers, chakras determine the way people experience reality through emotional reactions, desires or aversions, levels of confidence or fear, and even physical symptoms and effects.

When energy becomes blocked in a cycle, it is said to trigger physical, mental, or emotional imbalances that manifest in symptoms, such as anxiety, lethargy, or poor digestion.

Asanas are the many physical positions in Hatha yoga. People who practice yoga use asanas to free energy and stimulate an imbalanced chakra.

There are seven major chakras, each with their own focus:

Muladhara: The “root support” or “root chakra” is at the base of the spine in the coccygeal region. It is said to contain our natural urges relating to food, sleep, sex, and survival, as well as the source of avoidance and fear.

Svadhishthana: Practitioners claim that the “one’s own base” or “pelvic” chakra is the home of the reproductive organs, the genitourinary system, and the adrenal gland.

Manipura: Yellow represents the “jewel city” or “navel” chakra. Practitioners connect this chakra with the digestive system, as well as personal power, fear, anxiety, developing opinions, and tendencies towards an introverted personality.

Anahata: The “unstruck” or “heart” chakra relates to the colors green and pink. Key issues involving Anahata include complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection, and well-being.

Vishuddha: The color red or blue represents the “especially pure” or “throat” chakra. Practitioners consider this chakra to be the home of speech, hearing, and metabolism.

Ajna: The “command” or “third-eye chakra” is a meeting point between two important energetic streams in the body. Ajna corresponds to the colors violet, indigo, or deep blue, though traditional yoga practitioners describe it as white. The Ajna chakra relates to the pituitary gland, which drives growth and development.

Sahasrara: The “thousand-petaled” or “crown” chakra represents the state of pure consciousness. This chakra is located at the crown of the head, and the color white or violet represents it. Sahasrara involves matters of inner wisdom and physical death.

Yoga Teacher Training on Tradition and Modern views with Ashtanga Vinyasa flow

Our Yoga teacher training programs apart from guiding an individual to become a Yoga Teacher serve another purpose too. A very good benefit of our Yoga course that is being held in Nepal and India is that the people will experience living a Yogic Lifestyle. A healthy routine involving waking up early and experiencing the deep silence of Yogic Life begins.

Doing Jalaneti and kapalbhati kriyas, Prayer, Yoga Asanas, breathing exercises and pranayama will help to detoxify, rejuvenate, and give a sense of well-being to us and keep silence of evening meditation. Then, a healthy breakfast will help to purify the body, calm the mind, and balance our bodily requirements. Our Yoga course is a blend of discipline, ethics, fun, relaxation, and recreation. Here We discuss Ashtanga Vinyasa flow.

How the day goes on

The Yoga Teacher Training course emphasizes self-awareness, self-study, and self-discipline by giving you time limits to accomplish your tasks. Morning cleansing practice, herbal tea, and morning yoga session, and then there will be breakfast.  Apart from this, there is time for recreation where you have a chance to connect to yourself and relax. Sauna, Oil treatment, and music healing will be for relaxation.

You have free time and a full day off on Mondays. On these days you can do recreational activities visit cultural places, world heritage sites, relax in nature, morning walks, etc. The class schedule of the day starts with Jalaneti and herbal tea, 7 to 8:40 morning Yoga class of Prayer, Suryanamaskar, Yogasana, Pranayama, etc. From 11:30 am to 1 pm Philosophical class;  the 3:30 pm workshop class;  5:30 pm, the evening Yoga class of Pranayama, Mudras, Yoga Nidra, Meditation; and the 7:30 pm Trataka and discussion.

The study, learn, do and share Yoga!

Our Yoga teacher training emphasizes Yoga philosophy and therapeutic Yoga as well, which can help you to look at life with a broader perspective and encourage you to challenge your weaknesses and illness. You will get the opportunity to learn Sanskrit words, mantras, meanings, and sense of it; sacred texts e.g. Yoga Darshan, Hatha Pradeepika, Gheranda Samhita, and  Bhagavad Geeta. You will be learning so many different aspects of life and Yoga that will help you to look deeper into yourself and help you to discover your inner potential and explorations.

Discovering a new path in life & sharing the knowledge with others!

You will be learning to impart this knowledge to various groups of people in the Yoga methodology class. The greatest benefit for many will be when they realize that they want to bring this spiritual and holistic education to other people around them. With all this knowledge of Yoga, you can go ahead to help and uplift people’s lives. The positive change that you have experienced will be worth sharing with other people. There are so many different people like senior citizens, teenagers, parents, children, people with health problems, corporates and professionals, householders, etc. that you can help.

Traditions of Yoga

There are different traditions of yoga, which correspond to specific emotional and mental capacities or preferences. Generally, seven such branches are distinguished:

HATHA YOGA: The “Forceful Yoga” aiming at liberation through a physical transformation

MANTRA YOGA: The “Yoga of Potent Sound” aiming at liberation through the recitation (aloud or mental) of empowered sounds (such as om, hûm, ram, hare Krishna, etc.) – often considered an aspect of Tantra-Yoga.

LAYA YOGA: The rhythmic path of Yoga. It happens throughout the purity of body and mind.

RÂJA-YOGA: The “Royal Yoga” aiming at liberation through meditation, which is for practitioners who are capable of intense concentration. Literally, Raja yoga is the aim of Yoga attained by an easy way of yogic practice.

JNÂNA YOGA: The “Wisdom of Yoga” aiming at liberation through the steady application of higher wisdom that clearly discerns between the real and the unreal.

KARMA YOGA: “Action Yoga” aiming at liberation through self-transcending service.

BHAKTI YOGA: The “Devotional Yoga” aiming at liberation through self-surrender in the face of the Divine.

DHYANA YOGA: Dhyana (Meditation) is the final tool or device of Yoga. In any schooling of Yoga, there is meditation part as the major key for yoga practice mentioned in all texts like Bhagvat Gita, Samkhya Yoga, Yoga Darshan, Shiva Samhita, Goraksha Samhita,  Hatha Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and so on.

TANTRA YOGA: The “Continuity Yoga” aiming at liberation through rituals, visualizations, subtle energy work, and the perception of the identity (or continuity) of the ordinary world and the transcendental Reality.

Kundalini Yoga: It is a part of Tantra Yoga and one of stages of all types of Yoga. Any type of Yoga ultimately hit on chakras and energy follows throughout nadis. It is itself the totality of the yogic path.

Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga Yoga is a concise pattern of wholesome yogic practice. It is the totality of Yoga as a modified form sorting of beginning stages to higher stages. Ashtanga Yoga,  the eightfold path of Patanjali Yoga Sutra, is also called “Classical Yoga”.

What does Vinyasa mean?

The term vinyasa is a composition of two words. Nyasa has several meanings like “to place”, “special order”, “attention”, “and vi, which means “specially”. Vinyasa has many meanings in the Sanskrit language, however, in the context of yoga, Vinyasa can be best interpreted as:

Special way
Special order
With attention

It is often interpreted as a practice with a theme or purpose consisting of poses linked and associated together. Vinyasa, written in lowercase, usually refers to the progression and continuity between the asanas. In Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, the fluid transitions from one pose to the other, the famous jump-backs and jump-throughs are referred to as Vinyasa.

Fundamentals of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Breathe: The most important part of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is the system of breathing which should be rhythmic and deep-felt from your throat with inhalation and exhalation from the nose. The sound of breath has to be like a sleeping baby makes that a hissing sound. The breathing felt from the throat is called Ujjayi (Sanskrit word) breathing which means victorious breathing.

Vinyasa: One of the unique parts adjoined and assimilated with Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is vinyasa: the synchronization of the flow of the posture. It offers you to practice with the continuous and rhythmic flow which supports you to adjust new posture on the one hand. On the other, it creates more heat on your body which exits toxins out of your body through the medium of perspiration as well as of breathing.

Bandha: The third quintessential part of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is bandha means a lock. The lock of your throat by lowering your chin slightly while raising the sternum is called Jalandhara Bandha. The squeeze of your abdomen, 2 inches below the navel center is called Uddiyana Bandha, the third one is Mula bandha which is also called root lock at the pelvic floor.

Drishthi: The fourth requisite of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga to achieve its optimum benefits is drishti which means to look or gaze at a certain object with full concentration. The look should be soft. Basically, the focus of your eyes goes to nine points which are as follows:

1. Angushtha Madhya Drishthi( Thumb)
2. Agna Chakra Drishthi ( the point between the two eyes brows: Third Eye)
3. Navi Chakra Drishthi ( Navel Centre)
4. Nasagrai Drishti( Tip of the nose)
5. Hasthagrai Drishthi( Hand)
6. Padayograi Drishthi( Toe)
7. Urdha Drishthi ( Up to Sky)
8. Parshva Drishthi( Far to the side)
9. Samadristhi( Straight ahead)
10. Submit a Comment

Stage of Bhakti Yoga

1. In the Srimad Bhagavad and the Vishnu Purana it is told that the nine stages of Bhakti are:
   Sharavana (hearing of God’s Lilas and stories);
   Kirtana (singing of His glories);
   Smarana (remembrance of His Name and presence);
   Padasevana (service of His feet);
   Archana (worship of God);
   Vandana (prostration to the Lord);
   Dasya (cultivating the Bhava of a servant with God);
   Sakhya (cultivation of the friend-Bhava); and
   Atmanivedana (complete surrender of the self).

Types of Bhakti Yoga

1. Apara (lower)  and Para (higher) devotion.
2. Raagaatatmika (ritual without devotion) and method of devotion (Bhakti)
3. Sakamya (devotion with desire) and Nishkamya Bhakti (selfless devotion)
4. Vyabhichaarini (both worldly attachment and devotion to God) and Avyabhichaarini devotion (devotion to God only)

TYPES OF DEVOTEES (BHAKTAS)

Aartha

Arthi means any sorrow or grief. Sadness, distress, discomfort, and trouble are all called arthi. Aartha is seized by distress, caused by a thief, tiger, or disease.

Arthaarthi

Artha means what is desired. In this context, it means wealth and things similar to it – power, progeny, and so on. One wants all these and to get them, the arthaarthi invokes the grace of Bhagavan.

Jijnasu

The third one is jijnasu. The order in the verse artha, jijnasu, arthaarthi is for the sake of meter. But in order of their understanding artha and arthaarthi are one group, jijnasu and jnani, another. Jijnasu is the one who desires to know.

Jnani

And then there is a fourth bhakta. All four recognize me and to the degree they recognize me they are in union with me. The fourth one’s recognition is complete so his identification is total.

To be on the path of Bhakti Yoga, you need to inculcate certain disciplines in your life.
Those being:

1. Abhyasa or practice of being connected to god in one way or the other.
2. Viveka or discrimination
3. Vimoka or freedom from worldly desires
4. Satyam or truthfulness
5. Arjavam or being straightforward and not manipulating situations
6. Kriya or doing good deeds
7. Kalyana or wishing well for all
8. Daya or compassion towards all
9. Ahimsa or non-injury
10. Dana or charity
11.  Anavasada or cheerfulness and positivity

There are five kinds of Bhava in Bhakti

When the love for god grows you can raise above all the discrimination between forms of God, place of worship, method of worship, Route of worship or offerings in worship. You experience Bhava Of devotion that leads to is absolute self-forgetfulness and everything stops mattering except God.

• Dasya Bhavas or servitude as depicted by lord Hanuman towards lord Ram

• Sakhya bhavas or friendship with God, as depicted by Arjuna towards Shri Krishna

• Vatsalya Bhavas or motherhood, as depicted by Maa Yashodha towards Kanha

• Madhurya Bhavas or Divine Love, the most supreme bhava, as depicted by Shri Radha for Shri Krishna and Meera Bai for Shri Krishna, wherein the deity and devotee unite.

• Shanta Bhavas where in your mind is absolutely grounded and stable and nothing can agitate you.

Bhakti Yoga The Nature of Devotion

Bhakti yoga the Nature of Devotion is one of yogic paths revered throughout history that can lead us to full awareness of our true nature. Other paths to self-realization are Hatha yoga that transforms the individual consciousness through a practice that begins in the body).  Jnana yoga (inner knowledge and insight); Karma yoga (skill in action);  Kriya yoga (energy workout); and Raja yoga (internal  yoga – dharana, dhyana, samadhi of the eight-limbed path also known as the classical yoga of Patanjali).

Bhakti Yoga the Nature of Devotion

What Does Bhakti Yoga Mean?

The Sanskrit word Bhakti comes from the root ‘Bhaj’, which means “to adore or worship God.” Bhakti yoga has been called “love for love’s sake” and “union through love and devotion.” As a yogic prospective, it originates from ‘Bhaava’ (feeling or sense) which is connected to heart and soul.

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion among different types of yoga. In this yoga, a yogi is devoted to the God, Guru, higher self or the higher power, universe, the true self or any higher being in this world or the beyond. The detailed description can be found in the Shreemad Bhagavad Geeta, the most famous Holy Scripture. Simply, Bhakti means to love without any condition and doubt. When we love unconditionally to the God or any higher being or things for the purpose of spirituality, we can be in this path. It is also a way to be liberated as in other types of yoga. This yoga is the natural way of getting enlightenment.

A Brief History of Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga was started in the ancient time from the dawn of human being.  Bhakti yoga is mentioned in Shvetashvatara Upanishad and Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta.

The Geeta, often called a “love song to God,” expressed the idea that it’s possible to move towards the highest goal — that of spiritual realization — by developing a connection with the heart.

In its purest form, Bhakti burns like a devotional fire in the heart. An early and extreme example of a Bhakti yogi comes from the 12th century, when a 10-year-old girl named Akka Mahadevi shunned childhood games and instead became a devotee of Shiva, the Hindu deity known as the aspect of destructive forces.

Broadening the Definition of “Bhakti Yoga”

Many modern Bhakti yogis believe that “the guru” can be found in all things. Bhakti, then, becomes a state of mind, a consciousness that involves embracing the Beloved in whatever forms that take.

The definition of Bhakti yoga can get unnecessarily complicated: It is path of exploring our entire potentials. “What I’ve always understood is that it’s a simple way to embrace the Beloved, the Divine, God, or the connection to other sentient beings on this planet,”. Simply Bhakti Yoga is a faith and belief. It is deep connection to heart or soul.

While practicing Bhakti yoga, it is in the best interest of the devotee to create a good environment or aura around him. This may be achieved by choosing:

1. A clean and quite room for worship
2. Lighting diyas and incenses
3. Bathing and changing into fresh clothes
4. Applying chandan or sandalwood on forehead.
5. Wearing a rosary made out of rudraksha or tulasi dal mala.

How to Practice Bhakti Yoga

The Beatles had it right when they sang “the love you take is equal to the love you make.” Bhakti is about making more love — putting it out into the world, not just in principle but also in practice.

1. Saying “Namaskaara”or Naman is Bhakti Yoga – Just about everyone who has taken a yoga class is familiar with the class-closing ritual of saying Namaskaara accompanied by Prathanaa Mudra or Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal) and a small bow of the head.
2. Practice Self-Love and Devotion – In the deepest throes of despair, it can be hard to lavish yourself with love.
3. Be Nurtured By Nature – Nature is a powerful reflection of divinity,
4. Fill Your Heart with devotional Songs – In bhakti yoga, says naad power, music is medicine. And singing — a mantra, a hymn, or the name of your spiritual guide — is another way to treat an aching heart.
5. Learn to Love Globally – Practicing Bhakti yoga means seeing everyone and everything as a creation of God
6. Connect with the Divine – In its most literal translation, each and everything is connected to divine. Bhakti yoga calls for faithful devotion to the Divine.
7. Practice Self-Love and Devotion – In the depths of despair, love can be hard to seduce.

Jnana Yoga, The Path of Knowledge

Introduction of Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is one of the three classical types of Yoga and is termed the “Yoga Of Meditation”. As per Advaita Vedanta,  Jnana Yoga is defined as the “absolute consciousness awareness” that can be achieved through study and meditation. The key to jnana Yoga is Intellect.

Jnana yoga is the yoga of knowledge, not knowledge in the intellectual sense but the knowledge of Brahman and Atman and the realization of their unity. Where the devotee of God follows the promptings of the heart, the jnani uses the powers of the mind to discriminate between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the transitory, good and bad, and right and wrong.

The path of knowledge, or Jnana Yoga, is the experiential knowledge of the Self. The literal translation of Jnana or Gyana is “knowledge.” This path emphasizes a process of gaining wisdom through a cognitive engagement with the divine. Though one begins on this path by reading scriptures and listening to talks by spiritual masters, knowledge ultimately becomes experiential and becomes ingrained in the seeker through divine grace.

Two ways of Jnana Yoga Practice

Bahiranga Saadhanaa (External Practice):

Viveka (Discrimination)

When you observe that change happens constantly, and at the same time recognize the unchanging nature of the divine being within you, then you experience discrimination. Even though our bodies, thoughts, and emotions renew and fluctuate, the part of you that witnesses this process doesn’t change. Identifying your own ability to witness is a purpose of Jnana Yoga.

Vairagya (Renunciation)

Also translated as dispassion, vairagya involves an attitude of acceptance and a lack of feverishness for anything. By becoming less attached to the pleasures and pains of the world, and by remaining active and enthusiastic regardless of the fulfillment of desires, you can experience the second pillar of knowledge and be free of unsatisfied cravings and aversions.

Shatsampatti  (Six signs of Wealth)

Shama, the first wealth, is the tranquility of the mind.
Dama, the second wealth, is control over one’s own senses.
Titiksha, the third wealth, is endurance or forbearance, or not getting shaken by what happens.
Uparati, the fourth wealth, is rejoicing in or being with your own nature.
Shraddha, the fifth wealth, is faith, or recognition of the unknown.
Samadhana, the sixth wealth, is contentment or being at ease, calm and serene.

Mumukshatva (Constant Striving for Freedom)

From within, you desire the best. Total freedom, enlightenment, and the highest longing should be the goal of the yogi. All of these pillars and wealth already reside within you, although you don’t know they do. Still, you have the ability to conceive of the possibility of attaining them. This deep longing for the ultimate experience of bliss is the fourth pillar of knowledge.

Antaranga Saadhanaa (Internal Practice)

The first stage is called Sravanam, which literally means listening.

The second stage is called Manana, which literally means contemplating or remunerating facts in your head.

Nididhyasana is the third stage which literally means meditating. At this stage, the student meditates and this leads to expansion into the Truth.

Knowledge and spiritual evolution

Gaining knowledge solely through reading or hearing can lead to an attitude of “I already know it all,” which feeds the ego and becomes an obstacle to spiritual growth. No amount of reading or gathering information can replace the direct experience of the Self. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the difference between Jnana wisdom, which is connected to grace, and mere factual information.

Wisdom, or experiential knowledge of the Self, fosters surrender and devotion in one’s life. Jnana represents the highest form of knowledge, one that discriminates between what is transient and what is eternal, between what is unreal and what is real.

“Knowledge of the Self brings the mind back to purity.”

Himalayan Yoga Academy introduces singing bowl training in Nepal. This article highlights the things you will learn in our Singing Bowl Training in Nepal. In ancient times sound was used as a powerful tool for healing, meditation and self-transformation. Fortunately, the knowledge and skills of this art have been taught over many generations and are available in present days. You are welcome to learn the ancient form of healing with Tibetan Singing Bowls and get intensive training in this art at our academy/school.

Sound Healing with Singing Bowls has been emerging together of the foremost powerful & potent healing science of recent times to treat various of medical disorders, to change consciousness & spiritual enlightenment. Healing with Singing Bowls may be a scientific, proven & is getting popular all round the globe. our singing bowl therapy center is established with the aim to supply all types of healing activities associated with singing bowls like singing bowl therapy, workshops, training classes on singing bowl healing, guide people to use singing bowls on their lifestyle and also produce the capable healing human power within the field of singing bowls healing.

When a bowl is placed directly on the body, the physical vibration of the sound waves massages the cells and organs during a fragile way, and releases energy blockages. Their sounds influence the brain waves during a positive and balancing way, and that they have a relaxing effect on the nervous system. It massages the cells and organs during a delicate way, and releases energy blockages. Their sounds influence the brain waves during a positive and balancing way, and that they have a relaxing effect on the nervous system. Singing Bowl has amazing effects in your body. The techniques to this amazing things will be taught during the Singing Bowl Training course.

Main Things you will learn in our Singing Bowl Training in Nepal Courses are :

1. Introduction of Sound

2. Term of Musicology and Ethnomusicology

3. Chromatic Note and Circle of Perfect-Fifth

4. History of Sound Healing, Therapy and Meditation

5. Self-imply Balancing Pitch and Tone of Different Singing Bowls

6. Spiritual aspects of knowledge of Sound: Silence and Sound

7. Learn Common Rhythm/Timings

8. Useful Instruments for Sound Healing

9. Illustrations and Practices Various Types of Sound Healing and Singing Bowls Meditation & Therapies

Himalayan Yoga Academy presents a wonderful article on Types of Karma Yoga and way of Practice with a brief information.

Types of Karma in Bhagavad Geeta

A. Karma (correct / Vedic karma);    B. Akarma (inactivity karma);   C. Vikarma (forbidden karma)

There are two main types of karma –

A. विहित कर्म Prescribed Karma (Sukrita)

NItya- Daily;  Naimittik– Samskara Karma; Kamyakarma – lust, gain; Prashchit karma – Atonement

B. Nishiddakarma (dushkrit Karma) – Bad karmas

There are three types in Vedanta –

A. Accumulated karma – the fruit of pre-birth          
B. Destiny karma – enjoy the fruits of accumulated karma                      
C. Kriyamaan -Upcoming Action

Karma Guna: The virtues of karma (good, bad, fame, notoriety (bad deeds bring disgrace). Unseen fruit sadhana (indirect sources of knowledge)

The virtue of kaam (sexual-beauty instinct; love-passion; sports-sense pleasure; desire-desire; eagerness – very soon)

Some misconception about Karma Yoga

Cleansing work: Cleansing work in House or Ashram or Academy or School is not karma yoga. It can be one preparatory phase.   

An exchange: often people think if they offer their time and service in exchange for another service like a course or stay, it is karma yoga. If the action is done with the intention of exchange, it is not Karma Yoga.

Farming: Helping in farming is also not karma Yoga.

Working for free:  working for free in name of spirituality or humanity is not Karma Yoga, volunteering is not fully karma yoga; it can be good karma but not the yogi karma.

Cheap labor: working for cheap in name of Karma yoga is not Karma Yoga.

Social service: Not all social services are Karma Yoga.

Benefits of Karma Yoga

Karma yoga has many benefits. Some of these can be seen immediately but some can only be realized after some time of regular practice.

The main benefit of Karma Yoga is that helps to decrease ego. When you practice Karma Yoga you do your duty without ego. You do what is supposed to be done, not what you would like to do. When you stop involving ego in your daily activities, slowly your ago begins to diminish. Your priorities become clear. You start to understand your roles and duties. You complete them without attachment, and without personal desire.

Because you do your duties without ego and attachment, you balance your karma without making new karma.

How to practice Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga Sadhana

You have to pay attention to sadhana

Make a list of all duties / roles you have in your life. There might be some roles in it which you don’t like to fulfill but you must think and write all the roles you have. Prioritize them as per their importance. Understand the importance of your role in them.

Start to fulfill them on daily basis. There will be some duties or roles which you cannot fulfill because of reasons beyond your control. Do the duties as you must, not as you would like to do them.

Sankalpa (Resolution);             Sajagataa (Alertness);             Smarana (Remembrance);         

1. Right Attitude

It is not what you do that counts, it is the attitude while doing it that determines whether it is a job or Karma Yoga. Work is worship. Swami Sivananda advised that you should, “Give your hands to work and keep your mind fixed at the Lotus Feet of the Lord.”

 2. Right Motive

This is similar to right attitude; it is not what you do that counts but your real motive behind it. Your motive must be pure. Swami Sivananda says, “Man generally plans to get the fruits of his work before he starts any kind of work. The mind is so framed that it cannot think of any kind of work without remuneration or reward. A selfish man cannot do any service. He will weigh the work and the money in a balance. Selfless service is unknown to him. “

Consider the example of two girls who were drowning.

Two young men immediately jumped in to help them. One man jumped in so he could ask the girl to marry him. The other said only, “I have done my duty. God gave me an opportunity to serve and improve myself. ” The external action was the same, but the inner motive was different.  More about this source text Source text required for additional translation information

3. Do Your Duty (Swadharma)

Often our specific duty in life is referred to as “Dharma”, which means righteousness. Performance of duty frees the soul, and non performance of duty keeps the soul in bondage. Perform your duty according to your caste and your stage in life, which are created by the Gunas or qualities born from a person’s nature. The highest duty is to God, the In-dweller, to learn and to progress.

4. Do your best

Whatever you do, do your best. You will incur demerit if you do not give your best. If you know of a better way to serve then you must make use of it. You cannot hold back from fear of the effort required or from fear of criticism.

Do not work in a sloppy manner because no one is watching or because the work is not for you. Give your best effort. Try to do actions that can bring maximum good and minimum evil. Try at all times to accumulate merits. Do Karma Yoga increasingly often as this will accelerate your paying off of karmic debts. There is no time to lose.

5. Give up results

God is the Doer. You are not the Doer; you are only the Instrument. You do not know God’s intentions or God’s plans. God is the actor (i.e. the Self never acts).

It is only the Gunas that are playing. The way to realize this Truth is to constantly work for work’s sake and to let go of the outcome, good or bad. It is the desire for action that binds the individual. (I am the doer is wrong knowledge.)

It is detachment from action (I am only the instrument is right knowledge) that will dissolve the Karmic seeds. Detachment from results also means detachment from the type of job itself. There are neither inferior nor superior jobs.

Don’t be attached to your job and be ready to give up your job when necessary. Note that Karma is always working. You will always be drawn to things that you need to learn.

 6. Serving almighty or the Self in All

Do unto others what you would like to have done to yourself. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Adapt, adjust, accommodate. Bear insult, bear injury. Unity is in diversity. We are all parts of the same body. Practice humility in action. Beware of power, fame, name, praise, and censure.

 7. Follow the Discipline of the Job

Every work experience has something to teach you. Try to do your best and the lessons of your work will be rich. Each job involves different requirements in terms of time, degree of concentration, skills or experience, emotional input, physical energy, and will.

8. Classification of Karmas

Regular karma; Bad deeds; Special deeds; we correct the regular karma, avoid the bad karmas, and promising to use the special karmas as a life lines. Every one of us can practice Karma yoga. To practice karma yoga in your daily life follows these simple steps;

9. Qualifications of a Karma Yogi

“A Karma Yogi should be free from lust, greed, anger, and egoism. He should try to remove these. He should be humble and free from hatred, jealousy, harshness, etc.

A Karma Yogi should have an amiable, loving, and sociable nature. He should be able to move and mix with everybody without distinction of caste, creed, or color. He should have perfect adaptability, mercy, cosmic love, sympathy, and tolerance.

There should be the ability to adjust to the habits and ways of others. He should always have a cool and balanced mind. He should have equal vision. A Karma Yogi should rejoice in the welfare of others. He should lead a very simple life.

A Karma Yogi should have a sound, healthy, and strong physical body. He should do regular Pranayama, physical exercises, and Asanas in order to keep up a high standard of health. He should have the power of endurance. ”

Effects of Karma Yoga

• You become dutiful and responsible.
• Develop and learn new skills.
• It will help personality growth, health, and fulfillment.
• Have an active and creative life.
• It will thin out the ego and remove selfishness.
• Achieve the Purification of the heart.
• You can understand the moral values.
• Overcome the “likes and dislikes” of your mind.
• You will eliminate prejudices.
• You will feel oneness, unity, and unbounded joy.
• Become more loving, balanced, and sattvic.
• Have a more flexible mind and a more tolerant attitude (less rigid).
• You will broaden your outlook on life.
• You can realize who you are.
• It allows you to spiritualize your activities.
• It will keep you focused on God throughout the day.

Conclusion

Remember, Karma Yoga is ‘doing your duty without ego, and attachment is Karma Yoga’. If your intention is anything else than doing a duty (natural or taken) without ego, it is not Karma Yoga. If your karma is for awards, name, fame, statues, advertisements, elections, social activists, appreciation, highlights, bonuses, culture, religion, nationality, or casts, it is not karma yoga. Karma yoga is not for virtuous or unvirtuous, award or punishment, sin or boon, loss or gain. It is isolated.

“Once done, results are never lost.”

Asana is the third limb in Ashtanga Yoga. “Sthiram Sukham Asanam”.  Asana is the state of still and happiness. Shiva’s estimated presentation has eighty-four lakh asanas. It is projected on the basis of the eighty-four types of organisms in the world, i.e. the eighty-four vaginas. But even if there are four asanas in daily practice, regular ones are enough.

In today’s world, especially in urban and modern life, more may be needed, but in principle, the meditative posture is sufficient. Asanas are practiced to develop the ability to meditate for long periods. Both asanas and pranayama serve as preparation for meditation. Reaching the state of meditation through concentration leads to Samadhi or Yoga. In Yoga philosophy, only a few meditative asanas are mentioned, highlighting the definition and importance of asanas. Even in the Shiva Samhita, only four asanas are listed.

Meaning of Asana

Asana (Sanskrit: meaning “sitting down”) refers to body positions prescribed in Yoga practice to cultivate physical discipline, improve flexibility, and enable the practitioner to sit in meditation for extended periods. In Yoga terminology, asana refers to both the place where a practitioner sits and the posture in which they sit. In the authoritative Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, asana is described as being “seated in a position that is firm, but relaxed” (P.Y.S. 2:46). Over the centuries, as the repertoire of postures has expanded beyond simple sitting, modern usage now includes variations such as lying on the back, standing on the head, and various other positions. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali identifies asana as the third limb of the eight limbs of Classical Yoga.

How Yoga Asanas Help Connecting Body and Mind?

The inner journey we travel by the practice of yoga asana begins with the body, body to breath, and breath to energy, energy to mind; mind to spirit. This is like connecting different energy layers of the body.  

When asanas are done with proper breathwork (Pranayama), we learn to redirect our pranic energy into the specific shape of the yoga pose. Up to this point, we got control over the body and breath to manipulate energy flow. 

Our body is the most visible form of pure consciousness that lies within our Chitta (Chitta in yoga means more about the mind). To experience this consciousness, yoga asanas are like the physical conduit to flow the energy throughout different nadis within the body.

A more spiritual purpose is to quiet the mind, understand one’s true nature, and facilitate the flow of prana to balance the koshas (sheaths) of the physical and metaphysical body. Depending on the level of mastery, an asana practitioner is believed to develop many supernatural abilities. For example, a yogi who masters Mayurasana is said to remain unaffected by poison. Additionally, practicing asanas is often linked to health benefits such as the following:

• Opening and stretching joints and muscles
• Warming the entire muscles and tissues
• Purifying the whole entire body
• Improving muscle flexibility
• Improving tendon strength
• Helping to control blood pressure
• Improving stamina and endurance
• Improving the respiratory and circulatory functions
• Reducing stress, and unnecessary pressure

In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali suggests that the only requirement for practicing asanas is that it be “steady and comfortable”. The body is held poised, and relaxed, with the practitioner experiencing no discomfort.

When control of the body is mastered, practitioners free themselves from the duality of heat / cold, hunger / satiety, joy / grief, pleasant and unpleasant; Day and night; hard and soft which is the first step toward the unattachment that relieves suffering. This non-dualistic perspective comes from the Samkhya School of the Himalayan Masters.

Listed below are traditional practices for performing asana:

1. The stomach should be relatively empty.
2. Force or pressure should not be used, and the body should not tremble.
3. Follow the breathing rules and awareness physical and spiritual as well.
4. Lower the head and other parts of the body slowly; in particular, raised heels should be lowered slowly.
5. Apply the rules of Timing, duration, and repetition.
6. Control your breathing. The benefits of asanas increase when you perform the specific pranayama suited to the yoga type.
7. If the body is stressed, perform Corpse Pose or Child Pose or Makarasana.
8. Some claim that asanas, especially inverted poses, are to be avoided during menstruation.
9. For yoga practice, nothing is needed, just your body, energy, mind , this universe will be yoga studio and your body is laboratory.

Only one series in Yogasana that is Surya or Chandra Namaskar

One of the common yoga practices is Surya Namaskara, or the Sun Salutation, which worships Surya, the solar power, by concentrating on the Sun for vitalization. The physical practice links twelve asanas in a dynamic sequence. A full round of Surya Namaskara consists of two sets of twelve poses. The first set follows a seven-asana pattern, and the second set follows an eight-asana pattern, with the main difference being that the opposing leg moves first in the second set. The asanas included in the Sun Salutation vary across traditions, and today, Surya-Chandra Namaskara is also practiced.