what is yoga?

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Flarreac wrote:

> what is yoga?
>

Yoga is an ancient system for physical and mental health. It consists of
eight parts.

These parts are called Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranyama, Pratyahara,
Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

1. Yama is practising the universal moral commandments:
Non-killing (including non-violence in speech and action),
truthfulness (includes being truthful to yourself),
non-stealing (includes not causing others to steal),
continence (don't sleep around, don't waste your energy),
non-receiving of gifts (especially bribes)

2. Niyama is the practice of external discipline:
Cleanliness,
contentment (being happy with the fortunes of other people in spite
of your own misfortune, if any),
austerity (typically fasting regularly),
study (preferably of holy scriptures, scriptures holy to you),
surrendering to God (take no credit for yourself, give it to God).

3. Asana is the practice of different postures for the purpose of making
the body healthy.

4. Pranayama is regulating the breath.

5-8. Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are progressively deeper
stages of meditation.

Most people who practice yoga find it helpful. Since you don't describe
any particular problem you want yoga to help you with, it is not easy to
be more specific than this.

S.

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On 21 Jul 2005 21:47:07 -0700, "Flarreac" <flarreac@gmail.com> wrote:

>what is yoga?

Howdy!

My standard response to this question is to compare yoga to religion.

RELIGION is reaching OUTWARDS in an attempt to find "god." (No matter
what your definition of "god" happens to be.)

YOGA is reaching INWARDS in an attempt to find "the universe" within
yourself.

In this context my definition of "universe" is everything -- INCLUDING
(if you happen to be a believer) "god."

Dave

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On 2005-07-22 11:13:25 -0700, Sevenhundred Elves
<sevenhundred@elves.invalid> said:

> Flarreac wrote:
> 
>
> Yoga is an ancient system for physical and mental health. It consists of
> eight parts.

Actually, the astanga (8-fold path) is traditionally part of the Hatha
Yoga system.  There are other forms of yoga such as Raja Yoga - which
is only  meditation, Karma Yoga - the practice of good deeds, Tantric
Yoga, ritual and beyond, Bahkti Yoga - cultivating love, Jnana Yoga -
the path of wisdom and insight.  To name a few.

Some people practice some or all of these.  Most cults stick to one
path.  Hatha Yoga is popular in the West these days.

>
> These parts are called Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranyama, Pratyahara,
> Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
>
> 1. Yama is practising the universal moral commandments:
>    Non-killing (including non-violence in speech and action),
> truthfulness (includes being truthful to yourself),    non-stealing
> (includes not causing others to steal),    continence (don't sleep
> around, don't waste your energy),
>    non-receiving of gifts (especially bribes)
>
> 2. Niyama is the practice of external discipline:
>    Cleanliness,
>    contentment (being happy with the fortunes of other people in spite
>      of your own misfortune, if any),
>    austerity (typically fasting regularly),    study (preferably of
> holy scriptures, scriptures holy to you),
>    surrendering to God (take no credit for yourself, give it to God).
>
> 3. Asana is the practice of different postures for the purpose of making
>    the body healthy.
>
> 4. Pranayama is regulating the breath.
>
> 5-8. Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are progressively deeper
>      stages of meditation.
>
> Most people who practice yoga find it helpful. Since you don't describe
> any particular problem you want yoga to help you with, it is not easy to
> be more specific than this.
>
> S.

Technically yoga has nothing to do with physical and mental health.
Health is a by-product of the practice.  According to Patanjali, yoga
is a way of reducing the fluctuations of the mind.  At least thats what
he wrote some 3000 years ago.

Reading earlier Hindu literature, the Vedas describe yoga as a way to
transcend the cyclical nature of life.
--
~Stu

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Stu wrote:

> On 2005-07-22 11:13:25 -0700, Sevenhundred Elves
> <sevenhundred@elves.invalid> said:
> 
>
> Actually, the astanga (8-fold path) is traditionally part of the Hatha
> Yoga system.  There are other forms of yoga such as Raja Yoga - which
> is only  meditation,

Not ONLY meditation: For instance, you can't really be doing Raja Yoga
without Yama and Niyama. I'd say the difference between the Hatha and
Raja yogas is a difference in focus. I know that in Raja Yoga, the
asanas are more or less brushed aside, but at least the Raja yogi will
have to maintain a steady and comfortable asana while meditating.

> Karma Yoga - the practice of good deeds, Tantric
> Yoga, ritual and beyond, Bahkti Yoga - cultivating love, Jnana Yoga -
> the path of wisdom and insight.  To name a few.

Yes, you're right. I forgot about those. I'm sorry. I meant no offence
to all those who practice these kinds of yoga.

>
> Some people practice some or all of these.  Most cults stick to one
> path.  Hatha Yoga is popular in the West these days.
> 
>
> Technically yoga has nothing to do with physical and mental health.
> Health is a by-product of the practice.  According to Patanjali, yoga
> is a way of reducing the fluctuations of the mind.  At least thats what
> he wrote some 3000 years ago.
>
> Reading earlier Hindu literature, the Vedas describe yoga as a way to
> transcend the cyclical nature of life.
>

Yes, that's true, but the original poster was asking how it might help,
so I decided that I'd bring up the health aspects predominantly. After
all, a lot of people who practice Hatha Yoga start out doing it for
their health, and see the spiritual benefits as the by-product.

S.

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Greetings Sevenhundred Elves  

Sevenhundred Elves wrote:

< Gently Snipped >

>
> Yes, that's true, but the original poster was asking how it might help,
> so I decided that I'd bring up the health aspects predominantly. After
> all, a lot of people who practice Hatha Yoga start out doing it for
> their health, and see the spiritual benefits as the by-product.
>

Funny that.  If people started out on the spiritual practise on most things,
making their soul healthy, they'd more than likely find that they'll be way
healthier 'all round'    Like when you have spiritually healthy people who
exude healthiness, beauty, compassion, don't oft get ill, etc.  Do you get w
hat
I mean?

> S.

Love your name by the way  :-D


Smile for no reason
Shane-o  =]

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Mr. Random wrote:

> Greetings Sevenhundred Elves  
>
> Sevenhundred Elves wrote:
>
> < Gently Snipped >
> 
>
> Funny that.  If people started out on the spiritual practise on most thing
s,
> making their soul healthy, they'd more than likely find that they'll be wa
y
> healthier 'all round'    Like when you have spiritually healthy people w
ho
> exude healthiness, beauty, compassion, don't oft get ill, etc.  Do you get
 what
> I mean?


I guess so. Perhaps a way of life which is conducive to spiritual health
is also good for the body. Like, if you're kind and gentle you don't
often get into fights, and thus you avoid injury. Or if you spend your
spare time in meditation, you have less time to drink or smoke.

> Love your name by the way  :-D
>
>
> Smile for no reason
> Shane-o  =]

Mr. Random is cool too. :-)

S.

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On 2005-07-23 09:59:43 -0700, Sevenhundred Elves
<sevenhundred@elves.invalid> said:

>
> I guess so. Perhaps a way of life which is conducive to spiritual health
> is also good for the body. Like, if you're kind and gentle you don't
> often get into fights, and thus you avoid injury. Or if you spend your
> spare time in meditation, you have less time to drink or smoke.

If you spend time in meditation you will find there is less reason to
smoke and drink.
--
~Stu

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thak you very much, you are response is very complety and explicit. I
have very   problems whit my mind amd my thinks.
I will practice yoga in my city.
Gracias.





Sevenhundred Elves ha escrito:
> Flarreac wrote:
> 
>
> Yoga is an ancient system for physical and mental health. It consists of
> eight parts.
>
> These parts are called Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranyama, Pratyahara,
> Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
>
> 1. Yama is practising the universal moral commandments:
>    Non-killing (including non-violence in speech and action),
>    truthfulness (includes being truthful to yourself),
>    non-stealing (includes not causing others to steal),
>    continence (don't sleep around, don't waste your energy),
>    non-receiving of gifts (especially bribes)
>
> 2. Niyama is the practice of external discipline:
>    Cleanliness,
>    contentment (being happy with the fortunes of other people in spite
>      of your own misfortune, if any),
>    austerity (typically fasting regularly),
>    study (preferably of holy scriptures, scriptures holy to you),
>    surrendering to God (take no credit for yourself, give it to God).
>
> 3. Asana is the practice of different postures for the purpose of making
>    the body healthy.
>
> 4. Pranayama is regulating the breath.
>
> 5-8. Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are progressively deeper
>      stages of meditation.
>
> Most people who practice yoga find it helpful. Since you don't describe
> any particular problem you want yoga to help you with, it is not easy to
> be more specific than this.
>
> S.

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I don't smoke and drink but I have problems whit my minds.
thak you

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