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Concept of 'Agni' in Ayurveda
Being one of the panchamahabhoota, agni (fire) has the characteristic that it cannot exist without a base. In the body it exists in pitta dosha.
Agni is responsible for the following functions:
Digestion - indigestion (Pakti- Apakti)
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Going Gaga Over Yoga
Pop icon Madonna is probably one of the most popular bi-products of commercialized yoga. Since she started to come out with that toned and buffed figure, women all over the world wanted to know what kind of diet she has been doing. When she revealed...
Muscle Fitness – Can Yoga Make You Stronger?
Many people wonder if yoga can improve their muscle fitness. They recognize that yoga can help reduce stress and increase flexibility, but when it comes to increasing muscle fitness, they think it might be a little too 'weak' to do the job. The...
The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Weight Loss with Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Weight Loss:
5 Easy Steps to A Healthier Weight
Although different people have weight problems for different reason, these 5 tips address fundamental lifestyle habits that affect virtually everyone. The...
Yoga Meditation For Pain Relief
The purpose of this article is to provide information on methods and techniques on how to cope with pain, or in some instances, possibly even overcoming pain with the use of techniques derived from Yoga meditation. Chronic pain sufferers spend...
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What Is Yoga?
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a science of health and spirituality that originated many thousands of years ago in India. The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Thus, the Sanskrit word yoga means union with or to join. This union with the divine is achieved through the disciplined practice of specific exercises, meditation and breath work.
Yoga is essentially a lifestyle, dealing with all the aspects of our being. The physical postures, or asanas that are widely perceived as yoga, are just one aspect of a very profound science of life. The Eight Limbs of Yoga, articulated by C.E. Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra, describe the eight aspects of a yogic lifestyle. These aspects guide the yogi on a path self-development to harmonize the body, mind and spirit and attain enlightenment.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
The first limb, yama, focuses on one's behavior in the world and attitude towards those around him or her. The five yamas are: ahimsa or nonviolence, satya or truthfulness, asteya or non-stealing, bramacharya or non-lust, aparigraha or non-possessiveness.
The second limb, niyama, refers to one's behavior and attitude towards oneself. There are five niyamas: sauca or cleanliness, santosha or contentment, tapas or austerity, svadhyaya or study of the sacred text and of oneself, and isvarapranidhama or living with an awareness of the divine.
Asanas or physical poses are the third limb. Asanas are designed to bring strength, vitality and relaxation to every bodily
system.
Pranayama, or breathing exercises, encompass the fourth limb. Through disciplined regulation of the breath-the duration of inhalation, retention and exhalation, one strengthens and cleanses the nervous system. The result is increased life-force and a calmer mind.
The fifth limb is prathayara or withdrawal of the senses. One's focus goes inward, losing awareness of what is going on outside of oneself.
Dharana, or concentration is the sixth limb. One trains the mind to focus without distractions.
Dhyana, or meditation is the seventh limb. In meditation one practices constant observation of the mind, stilling the mind in order to heighten one's awareness and oneness with the universe.
The final limb, the ultimate goal of yoga, is samadhi or enlightenment. It is the achievement of oneness with the universe in which one experiences a state of peace, utter contentment and completion.
Yoga as it was designed and practices by the ancient yogis encompasses all these aspects of the self and of life. It is a spiritual path and a lifestyle meant to lead the student towards health, self-knowledge, and union with the divine.
About the Author: The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Visit WayofYoga.com to find out how you too can do the same.
http://www.wayofyoga.com
Source: www.isnare.com
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| Yoga Journal : Home Page - The Voice of Yoga Online. The trusted ... |
| Reports developments in the world of yoga; provides step-by-step information on practices (poses, breathing, meditation); includes profiles of personalities ... |
| www.yogajournal.com |
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| Yoga :: Yoga Books :: Yoga Videos :: Yoga Mats :: Yoga Clothing |
| Products for yoga, massage, homeopathic medicine, meditation and exercise. Site includes reference materials on several of these topics. |
| www.yoga.com |
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| Yoga - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is a family of ancient spiritual practices ... Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Yoga Basics: online guide to the practice of yoga, pranayama ... |
| Introduction to Yoga history and practice (asanas and pranayama), downloadable music, teacher finder, products for sale. |
| www.yogabasics.com |
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| Yoga Site -- source for yoga mats and props, yoga information ... |
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| Yoga Postures |
| The chart below describes some of the fundamental yoga postures. The sequence can be performed in order. When you are familair with the psotures, ... |
| www.yogasite.com |
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| Sivananda Yoga - Om Page |
| Official site of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. Includes a worldwide directory of centers. |
| www.sivananda.org |
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| Yoga Info, News, Shop, Travel & Community @ ABC-of-Yoga |
| Information and news resource featuring articles on various aspects of Yoga. |
| www.abc-of-yoga.com |
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| Free Yoga DVD Video Information Yoga New Zealand |
| Offers information on the practice of yoga. Includes free yoga video downloads and uses flash animation to show yoga moves. |
| yoga.org.nz |
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| Largest Yoga Directory to find a Yoga Classes :: Yoga Events ... |
| Largest Yoga Directory to Find Yoga Classes, Events, Yoga Retreats, and Yoga Products! |
| www.yogafinder.com |
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| Free Online Yoga, Animated Yoga Postures, Stress Relief Exercise & Animated Breathing Techniques. Learn All Aspects Of Yoga Online With Our 75 Free ... |
| www.hathayogalesson.com |
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| Santosha.com - Tools for Yoga, Meditation & Conscious Living |
| Though some parts are unfinished, the site includes much information on Yoga philosophy, and the practice and benefits of postures, meditation and ... |
| www.santosha.com |
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| Yoga Postures Step-By-Step - Index to Poses |
| Yoga Postures Step-by-Step is a complete interactive guide to the practice and benefits of Yoga postures featuring animations, photographs, illustrations, ... |
| www.santosha.com |
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| Eco Yoga Mats - Natural - PVC Free - Yoga Mats - shop online |
| A directory of Yoga classes and events in the United Kingdom. |
| www.yoga.co.uk |
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| Yoga Home Page, yoga breathing, yoga postures, Pranayama ... |
| Information about yoga in an easy to understand format with recommendations for beginning practice. |
| www.holisticonline.com |
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| YogaClass.com - YogaCentral |
| Online YOGA CLASS in RealAudio. DO YOGA HERE NOW FREE! |
| yogaclass.com |
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| Yoga |
| A comprehensive introduction to yoga basics, including a glossary of yoga terms. Features an introduction to popular types of yoga and basic poses for ... |
| yoga.about.com |
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| B K S Iyengar - Home |
| Yogacharya BKS Iyengar with his intellectual and spiritual practices has masterminded the techniques which can be used by all practitioners of yoga. |
| www.bksiyengar.com |
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| Yoga |
| Are you looking for a workout program that's easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? |
| www.kidshealth.org |
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| BWY - The British Wheel of Yoga, Governing Body for Yoga in Britain |
| The British Wheel of Yoga is a registered charity and is the largest yoga ... BWY has launched its Yoga DVD 'A Spectrum of Yoga' with a complete yoga ... |
| www.bwy.org.uk |
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