WHAT EXACTLY IS YOGA?
1. Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, which is the language
of ancient India where it is believed that yoga
originated. This union is said to occur between the
mind, body, and spirit.
2. Today, we define yoga as a discipline that focuses on
the body’s posture, musculature, breathing
mechanisms, and consciousness.
3. The goal of yoga is to attain physical and mental well-
being through the mastery of the body. This is achieved
through meditation, proper breathing, holding of
postures, and exercise.
4. There are many different types of yoga. The majority
of them are more concerned with mental and spiritual
well-being rather than physical activity.
HISTORY OF YOGA
• The exact history and origins of yoga is uncertain; however, there
are pieces that have been connected that allow us to make some
conclusions that it had originated in India.
• One of the earliest writings on yoga was found two millennia ago
in a book known as Yoga Sutra, which was written by Indian sage
Patanjali.
• In Yoga Sutra, Patanjali helps you understand why we suffer and
shows how through yoga, you can seek happiness and freedom.
HISTORY OF YOGA
Patanjali described yoga as an interconnection of eight limbs , or aspects of a whole. He believed
that practicing these limbs would lead to progressively higher stages of spiritual and well being.
The eight limbs are :
• Ethical behavior
• Personal behavior
• Posture
• Breath regulation
• Sensory inhibition
• Concentration
• Meditation
• Integration
TYPES OF YOGA
There are many different types of yoga, all of which contain
Patanjali’s teachings.
Hatha: refers to a practice that combines poses, or asanas, with
breathing techniques
•Meant for beginners
•Develops flexibility and balance
•Focuses on breathing
•Relaxing and restorative
Vinyasa: Faster , requires you to move continuously throughout
the class.
•Most common
•Flowing series of lunging, bending, and stretching
•Involves standing and seated poses
•Develop strength, flexibility, and balance
•Best for weight loss
Iyengar: Meant for anyone with neck or back problems.
•Emphasizes proper alignment to strengthen the muscles and support the
joints
•You use props, like blocks, straps, or blankets to help you get into poses
•You’ll do standing moves, seated moves, twisting moves, and backbends.
Bikram: “Hot Yoga.” The heat loosens your muscles,
increasing your ability to stretch.
•Room is kept at 105 degrees, with a 40 percent humidity
level
•Rapid inhaling and exhaling
•Includes a series of 26 poses done twice in a 90 minute
class
Kundalini: A more spiritual experience
•Calming mind and energizing body through movement,
the chanting of mantras, and breathing.
•Average session: 50% exercise, 20% breath work, 20%
meditation, and 10% relaxation.
•Goal: to release the energy that kundalini believes is
stored at the base of the spine.
Ashtanga: Most advanced type of yoga.
•Very physically challenging
•Requires strength and endurance
•You execute about 70 poses in a 90 minute
session
COMMON POSES
BREATHING TECHNIQUES
• You just saw many asanas, which include simple to complex
poses. There are over 800,000 variations of asanas in
ancient yoga literature; however, only about 84 are used in
everyday practices.
• Each of these poses are coordinated with the flow of
breathing and are held anywhere from 5 to 20 breaths.
• Breathing exercises vary from person to person, some
include:
- Sustained breath holds
- Slow, deep abdominal breaths with extended
exhalation
- Rapid abdominal breathing
- Alternate nostril breathing
• The most popular breathing technique used is to inhale for
one second, hold your breath for four seconds, and exhale
for two seconds.
BENEFITS OF YOGA
The benefits of yoga provide lasting transformation and
instant gratification.
• Massages all body organs
• Increases lubrication of ligaments, tendons, and joints
• Increases flexibility
• Increases muscle strength and tone
• Cleanses the body
• Improves respiration, energy, and vitality
• Protects from injury
• Decreases anxiety, depression, and stress
GUIDELINES OF YOGA
• The best way to learn yoga is to practice it! There are
many yoga publications, online postings, modules,
and videos that range from beginners to advanced
levels, which you can turn to for some guide. If you
don’t like learning on your own, you might benefit
from a yoga class or individual instructor.
IF PRACTICING YOGA AT HOME...
• Make sure that you practice in a spacious, bright
place away from all distractions.
• Make sure that you do not practice on a bare
floor but on a mat or carpet.
• Make sure that you wear clothes that are
comfortable and loose.
• Make sure that you do not practice yoga after
you have eaten.
• For maximum results, practice yoga everyday for
at least 20 minutes.
PRECAUTIONS
• Injuries may occur from doing yoga in a harmful way. For
example, when:
- straining to do poses and breathing techniques
- breathing in stale air while doing poses and
breathing techniques
- doing yoga right after eating
- competing with someone
- doing yoga fast in a heated environment
• Yoga discourages anything harmful, unnatural, or
competitive. So if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it!
THANK YOU
DONE BY:
MALAVIKA K NAIR
