Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline with an almost 5,000 year ancestry. It works in a holistic way, refining the body, mind and the spirit in unison. The word "Yoga" means union.Traditionally the goal of yoga is the union of Brahman (the Absolute) with Atman (the true self).
Nowadays the focus is often on more down-to-earth benefits of Yoga, including improved physical fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control and general well being. Spirituality, however, there is a strong underlying theme to most practices.
The ancient Indian sage " Patanjali " is regarded as the father of Yoga. A great philosopher, grammarian, physician and medical worker, he lived around three centuries before Christ. His best-known work, “ Patanjali Yoga Sutras” or “Aphorisms on Yoga”, outlined the path of Raja Yoga or the sovereign path. Even though Yoga has evolved over time, especially in the western world, the 195 gems of wisdom contained in Yoga Sutra still forms the philosophical foundation of modern-day yoga.
Yoga can be practiced by anyone, starting from the age of 5 years onward, depending on individual needs.
Athletes/dancers/performers – to restore energy, improve stamina, overall body toning
Executives/Corporate/Businessmen - to relax an overworked mind, tone the body
Housewives – to rejuvenate, to reduce fatigue
Students/Children - to improve memory and concentration, strengthen/stretch muscles
Elders/Senior citizens - to keep fit, to improve memory, raise body’s immunity levels
Most people start with the asana (yogasanas or yogasans), which is a program of physical postures that help purify the body and provide the physical and inner strength, leading to a state of meditation. When practised correctly and diligently, yogasanas bring about vast physical and psychological changes.
The beauty of Yoga is in its versatility, allowing practitioners to focus on the physical, psychological or spiritual, or a combination of all three. Today, Yoga practised in the West mostly focuses on the physical postures called "asanas," breathing exercises called "pranayama," and meditation. However, there's more to it than that, and the deeper you go, the richer and more diverse the tradition becomes.
Yogasana Live has taken the essence of several yogic exercises to balance lifestyle pressures and help maintain the quality of life. Yogasana Live seeks to naturally develop fitness, discipline, confidence, awareness, intuitiveness, intelligence and a more stable and more contented society.
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