Yoga
Yoga or eindeutschend yoga (. Sanskrit, m, योग, yoga, of yuga, yoke ' yuj for:, yoking, tie, hook, harness ') is an Indian philosophical doctrine that a number of mental and physical exercises such as Yama, Niyama, asanas, pranayama, pratyahara kriyas, includes meditation and asceticism. The term yoga can both "union" or "integration" mean, as will be understood in the sense of " harnessing " and " tightening " of the body to the soul for the collection and concentration or to become one with God. Since each path to self-knowledge can be described as yoga, there are many names in Hinduism for the different yoga paths after the knowledge of God aspirants are adapted to the respective investments.
Yoga is one of the six classical schools ( Darshanas ) of Indian philosophy. There are many different forms of yoga, often with its own philosophy and practice. In Western Europe and North America, the term yoga often only understood physical exercises - asanas or Yoga Asanas.
Some meditative forms of yoga focus on more mental focus, others more on physical exercises and positions, and breathing exercises (pranayama ), other directions emphasize asceticism. The philosophical foundations of yoga were grouped mainly by Patanjali in Yogasutra, the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads information about yoga.
Yoga, as taught in the West, is based on a modern form that has emerged from the mid-19th century, often characterized by an adoption of Western esoteric ideas, western psychology, physical training and scientific assumptions by English and western-trained Indians. In these cases, modern yoga more of a New Age way of life is as a form of Hindu spirituality. Traditional, Indian Yoga is fundamentally different from the Western, modern yoga and contains much more complex teachings and practices as the modern forms.
The yoga practitioners and in particular a master of yoga is called yogī (Sanskrit योगी ) or Yogin ( योगिन् ). The female form is Yogini ( योगिनी ), but this also " sorceress " means (see Yogini ).
- 6.1 Hatha Yoga ( body hugging )
- 6.2 Sivananda Yoga and other " integrated " systems
- 6.3 yoga without physical exercises
- 6.4 Syntheses and innovations
- 6.5 yoga, feminism and new religious movements
- 6.6 providers, teachers, organizations, journals
History
Even the older Upanishads (approx. 700 BC) describe breathing exercises and the withdrawal of the senses ( pratyahara ) in the Atman as an aid to meditation ( dhyana). The middle Upanishads, which originated around 400 BC, mention several times the term yoga and also the essential elements of the later Yoga system. The yoga was here in close connection with the theories as they developed the philosophical system of Samkhya, and made his practical continuation.
In the Mahabharata, around 300 BC, the yoga already holds a significant place and is mentioned as a practical counterpart to the theoretical Sankhya. While in the Mahabharata and the Puranas older Kapila and others are mentioned as the founder of yoga, appears at this point in younger Puranas Patanjali. It may, however, be assumed that Patanjali summarized the traditional yoga teachings in the 2nd or 4th century BC. His work consists of 194 short, distributed on four books aphorisms ( sutras ).
The classical Indian scriptures describe four paths of yoga:
- Raja Yoga call the meditative oriented steps of the Eight Limb Yoga according to Patanjali (also called Ashtanga Yoga: " Ashta " = eight, " Anga " = parts).
- Jnana Yoga ( Yoga of knowledge, intellectual direction)
- Karma Yoga ( Yoga of Action, the selfless action )
- Bhakti Yoga ( yoga of love / worship / devotion to God or a ishtadevata )
Originally Yoga was a purely spiritual path, which focused primarily on the search for enlightenment through meditation to the destination. The many asanas emerged only over time. Its primary aim is to mobilize the body as to strengthen and that he possible symptom-free for a longer period in the meditation posture - can stay - for example the lotus position. With time it became more and more the positive effect of physical exercises on the overall well -being. The asanas were developed, and physical activity in yoga gets in our time is becoming increasingly important. A first reflects this development in the creation of Hatha Yoga. The " Hathapradipika " a text from the 15th century, sets out the techniques that involve the body as an effective means of achieving the existential and spiritual goals of yoga.
Yoga philosophy
Root
Since yoga originated in India, are the roots of yoga philosophy in Hinduism and parts of Buddhism. The individual is seen here as a traveler in the car of the material body. The car is the body of the driver of the mind, the five horses, the five senses, the passenger, the soul, and the dish is called the Indian "Yoga". The earliest records are found in the Upanishads. The most important source of Yoga is the Yoga - Sutra of Patanjali.
Bhagavad -gita
The chapter headings in the Bhagavad- Gita each indicate a particular form of yoga, such as karma yoga or jnana - yoga. They provide the practitioner to understand the important philosophical and spiritual yoga backgrounds. Among other things, they contain ethical teachings that illustrate about the Yamas and Niyamas. In the text it comes to karma - the Hindu and Buddhist principle of cause and effect - to reincarnation, meditation, dharma, self-knowledge and faith-filled love. The text often used pictorial representations. Thus, the hostile relatives who are to fight Arjuna as an allegory for the Kleshas be interpreted, of which the yogi is ( one who practices yoga ), clean.
In addition, the Bhagavad -gita contains direct instructions for the trailer of yoga, ie for the yogi. Thus we read in Chapter 5, " looking yourself expectorant from the outside world, rigidly mounted on the bridge of the nose ( Nasikagra ) - The breath and exhalation ( Ein-/Ausatmung ) regulating the same, go through the nose inner being. " (Verse 27)
Verse 28 turns to the spiritual goals to " curbing the senses, heart and mind, not of redemption facing - Freed from expectations, fear and anger, then he redeemed forever. "
In chapter 6 it comes to contemplation (dhyana ), and the right way of living:
In verse 10 it says: " The yogi should constantly strive in solitude - alone, bezähmend sense and self, hoping nothing without possession ".
Verses 11-13 of the 6th chapter contain instructions for posture and even to sit on. 12 " The Spirit directed to a point, reining thinking, senses and actions - sitting down on the seat he practice meditation for the purification of himself 13Gleichmäßig body, neck, head motionless holding, he remains firmly - Looking on his nose, he does not look here and there from ".
Verses 33-34 go on a religious concepts. Arjuna points out that so difficult to restrain the mind is like the wind, and Krishna replied that they could discipline the mind through effort and renunciation. Then Arjuna asks what was the matter with the people who can not restrain himself, whether the were lost forever. Krishna consoles him by referring to reincarnation as another chance to achieve samadhi.
Yoga and Religion
Although the roots are in Hinduism and Buddhism, yoga is practiced by people of different religions and beliefs. Although the motivation actually consists to pursue spiritual goals and enlightenment to find ( Moksha ), this is only partly true in Europe and North America. In the Yamas and Niyamas some parallels to the precepts of Christianity, Judaism and Islam can be observed. Following a doctrine of the Upanishads yogis see the world soul ( cf. Brahman / Atman ) as a universal principle that connects all living things and is inherent in them together. From the historical roots out the karma concept and the reincarnation teachings of yoga have influenced. In Islamic culture find parallels to yoga in Sufism, Islamic mysticism. The yoga philosophy of Patanjali differs by a theistic orientation of the similar in many respects Samkhya doctrine, in which the faith ( in the religious sense ) plays no role in a God.
The Yoga concept
Yoga exercises follow today mostly a holistic approach, the body, mind and soul to reconcile. Especially in the Western countries, Yoga is often taught in lessons. Such combined asanas phases of deep relaxation, breathing exercises and meditation exercises. The practice of asanas is to improve the interaction of body, mind, soul through controlled breathing and concentration. The aim is to improve vitality and at the same time an attitude of inner serenity.
In the original Yoga teaching Yoga is a way of self-perfection, which includes, among other things, to curb the desires and pursue methods of cleaning. The spiritual background of yoga differs significantly at different schools, he springs from different roots in the Asian region, and the doctrines were subjected to a historical development. Therefore, there are very different views on the meaning of yoga and different approaches.
According to a traditional view, which combines pre-scientific and spiritual elements to yoga through a combination of postures, movements, inner points of concentration, breath control, and the use of mantras (meditation words or sound syllables) and mudras (postures in conjunction with bandhas or hand gestures / "Finger Yoga" ) stimulate the vital energy ( kundalini ), so that it begins ) rise through the Sushumna in the etheric spine to the chakras (energy centers.
Modern Yoga
In the second half of the 20th century a not bound to a single school type of yoga has evolved. In the " modern yoga ", the emphasis in the practice of yoga, which can be rather meditative or rather body -related. Recalling the positive effects of exercise, practice yoga is considered as an individual asset or as a contribution to personal development, largely independent of religious or ideological beliefs of the student. Gurus and doctrines are in contrast to the traditional yoga attributed little importance.
It will set up little rules of conduct, the rules are for the students rather recommendations without obligatory character. Yoga is not taught as a philosophical system, instead there is a tendency towards an empirical approach. Methods for cleaning will be evaluated in terms of health-promoting effects (see Shat - Kriyas ). In connection with the emphasis on the training effect of yoga on body and mind is occasionally linked to perceptions of psychosomatics.
The anthropologist Peter van der Veer has studied the emergence of the modern yoga in the west and set this difference to the spiritual foundation of traditional Indian yoga practices firmly.
Yoga schools and directions
Hatha Yoga ( body hugging )
The Western parlance summarizes rather form-fitting yoga practices together under the generic term Hatha Yoga. A sense of Hatha Yoga in Europe and North America is Iyengar Yoga, a very physical kind in which, if necessary, simple tools are used to facilitate inexperienced to run the exercises. They support recognizing the concerns to work very closely and subtle.
Sivananda Yoga and other " integrated " systems
The more than 50 years internationally widespread Sivananda Yoga goes back to the two yoga master Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu-devananda. This is classic holistic yoga that integrates all known yoga systems. The Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is the emphasis on revival and steering the Kundalini energy. A more spiritually oriented yoga school, for example, Tibetan yoga. The Marma Yoga emphasizes the self-discovery aspect of the exercises. Technically precise occupied positions are used as a "test " considered in which his body is is possible to "talk", and adjusts the exercises of this reflection.
Yoga without physical exercises
In Jnana Yoga and the Yoga of Silence is the quest for self-knowledge of the ultimate truth, without physical exercises in the foreground. With Kum Nye there is a Buddhist Healing Yoga and Yantra Yoga Tibetan Yoga one, which is used as a meditation aid. Tibetan dream yoga expands the scope spiritual- yogic exercises on the area of sleep. The Kriya Yoga goes back to Paramahansa Yogananda.
Syntheses and innovations
A synthesis and further development of classical yoga forms are held in the Integral Yoga of Aurobindo.
In addition to the traditional directions are always "new" forms of yoga created especially in the wake of the fitness and wellness trends, so that now an almost endless number of different yoga schools exist. Power Yoga, one coming from America direction that is derived from the ancient Ashtanga ( Vinyasa ) Yoga, is one of those modern yoga styles. Among the most recent directions of development of Bikram Yoga, a physically demanding yoga belongs at high ambient temperatures. The dynamic Jivamukti Yoga, which is practiced mostly to music, was born in New York. Mixed forms may arise, so now Yogilates courses are offered, which consist of a mix of yoga and pilates exercises.
Yoga, feminism and new religious movements
In the women's movement emerged in the 1990s within the woman's own cultural projects design variations of yoga. Published materials to Luna and Yabluga Yoga.
There are also new religious movements that define themselves as Yogapath and traditional elements of yoga take up eg Sahaja Yoga or Surat Shabd Yoga.
One of these movements is the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University ( BKWSU ). This spiritual movement, founded in 1936/37, with several hundred thousand members and is headquartered in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, North India, conveys a spiritual Yoga, which does not emphasize physical exercises. This Raja Yoga Brahma Kumaris is a silent form of meditation with the aim to establish a connection between the Yogi and God.
By Boris Sakharov (the student of Swami Sivananda and one of the pioneers of Yoga in the West) comes the following quote: " From day to day shooting new yoga mushrooms from the supersaturated through lush imagination bottom of Oriental Studies, and new names unearthed as Sattva Yoga, Buddhi Yoga, Purna Yoga, etc. - as if the classical forms of yoga, such as we are accustomed to call the first five (namely, Karma, Bhakti, Hatha, raja and jnana), would not have quite enough. "
Providers, teachers, organizations, journals
In Germany, community colleges and other public educational institutions offer Yoga courses on various forms of yoga, they are independent of each yoga schools and organizations, and their religious and ideological views. Most lead trained yoga teacher who often supported by health insurance rates.
The selection and evaluation of Yoga teacher and Yoga directions remains controversial and partially unknown. So has recently obtained an injunction against the VHS Munich a halt to the application of yoga schools issuing diplomas yoga. The issue of diplomas is exclusively permitted universities.
The associations bring out small magazines such as the Yoga Vidya journal published twice a year. Mentioned also were yoga Currently, a comprehensive, bi-monthly Journal, and Yoga Journal.
Today, at least three million people practice yoga in Germany, including about eighty percent of women.
Yoga and Health
Basically, yoga has been shown to positively evaluated some effects on both the physical and mental health. Yoga can lead to a relief in a wide variety of diseases under circumstances, such as circulatory disorders, sleep disorders, nervous disorders ( anxiety and depression ), chronic headaches or back pain.
The benefits of yoga for disease or to maintain health is assessed differently. In Germany, cost of yoga classes can be reimbursed by health insurance, especially in the context of the prevention principle of avoidance of specific risks and stress- related diseases ( action guidelines of the health insurance according to § 20 para 1 and 2 SGB V). The health-promoting aspect is weighted differently in the various forms of Yoga. In part, it is only seen as a side effect, sometimes it is the central point of the approach.
The asanas strength, flexibility, balance and muscular endurance be trained. For example, it comes through the activation of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and blood and lymph vessels in the asanas to improved blood circulation. The back muscles are strengthened, which in turn can lead to improved posture. Overloading or incorrectly performed exercises but can also harm. That is why yoga should be learned not only for books, but under the guidance of a qualified yoga teacher.
Yoga has a calming, balancing effect on many people and can counteract the consequences of stress. In addition, the inner reflection associated with breathing exercises and meditation can be used to reflect on their own behavior towards others in order to make it more positive.
There are also tailored to specific complaints forms of yoga, such as the hormone - yoga, which is designed especially to help with discomfort during menopause.