Yoga for the Soul

There are a variety of types of yoga that focus solely on spiritual practice and the integration of soul, mind, and body. Yoga as a spiritual practice is what the original practitioners intended. In the West, those original practices have been modified to suit different temperaments. There are too many to list here, but these are some of the most popular.

Sivananda: Sivananda yoga is a philosophical practice created by Swami Sivananda who wanted practitioners to "serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize." Following 12 postures from hatha yoga that focus on the spine, Sivananda yoga's goal is to integrate understanding, emotions, body, and mind. Students may also utilize chanting, pranayama, and meditation to release any physical blocks to this total integration of self.

Integral: In 1966, the Reverend Sri Swami Satchidananda created Integral yoga with the intent of helping students integrate the philosophy of yoga in their daily life. Using classic hatha postures as meditation, Integral yoga balances the physical effects of practice with the relaxation effects.

Ananda: In the 1960s, Swami Kriyananda created Ananda yoga. This practice utilizes silent affirmations during each pose to intensify the benefits of each asana. Simple hatha poses prepares the brain for meditation while focusing on proper alignment and pranayama to for better self awareness of spirit.

Kundalini: Kundalini yoga was once a guarded secret practiced only by a select few, but in 1969, it came to the United States. By using postures, dynamic breathing, chanting and mantra meditation, students focus on awakening the energy at the base of the spine and controlling its flow up through each of the seven chakras.

Even if your primary focus for your yoga routine is exercise, with a little bit of focus, controlled breathing, and discipline, any form of practice can be a meditation of the spirit.

Different Types Of Yoga
Hot Yoga sometimes known as Bikram Yoga is currently very much in vogue...
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What Is Yoga
There are different styles of yoga, all of which utilize essentially the same poses but with different emphasis. The ...
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Improving Flexibility With Yoga
Improved flexibility increases circulation to...
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Yoga For Relaxation
Yoga provides relaxation for the mind and body; it eases the tired, overworked muscles and frees the mind from worry ...
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Yoga For Exercise
Bikram: In Bikram yoga, you will definitely sweat. Every studio is close to 100° Fahrenheit, because the ...
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Yoga And Meditation
Yoga helps with the flexibility of the body. Meditating requires sitting i...
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What Is Astanga Yoga
Yama - It dwells on the ethical and honorable foundation of human behavior. The Yama can be further categorized ...
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Helping Improve Circulation With Yoga
Yoga exercises are quite ideal for improving blood ...
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Yoga Equipment
Some equipment, or props, is optional, but you may want to consider purchasing it after beginning yoga. Props assist i...
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Yoga A General Overview
Iyengar style yoga, on the other hand, is much slower and focused more on f...
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