| Just a few of the types of Yoga are Hatha, Bhakti | | | | also Sikhism as well as Jainism. Although the early |
| and Karma. | | | | Christians also knew and taught about the teachings |
| Hatha yoga is a physical yoga that uses physical | | | | of karma they were the esoteric groups like the |
| exercises. A Yogic sage in the 15th century named | | | | Gnostics, the Essenian teachings and the Rosicrucian's. |
| Yogi Swatmarama is known as the developer and | | | | Even in today's Christian bible you can read the |
| compiler of Hatha yoga. It is derived from the origins | | | | phrase "What you sow you shall also reap" meaning |
| of Mahayana Buddhism. It starts with the purification | | | | what you sow or do you shall reap or experience the |
| of the physical then leads to the purification of the | | | | effect of your actions. |
| mind and then lastly the purification of spirit which | | | | Some of the Physical health benefits of practicing |
| brings enlightenment. The physical exercises are called | | | | yoga are reduced stress levels and a decrease in |
| asanas which mean postures, which bring one in tune | | | | anxiety and depression; a great benefit for our fast |
| with one's vital energy which is called prana.. The | | | | paced world of today. Yoga also improves the |
| word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj which | | | | immune system and reduces circulatory problems. |
| means to yoke meaning to join or unite. In the West | | | | One simple yoga technique for releasing stress, which |
| it generally translates to union with soul or the atma. | | | | you can do anywhere, even while you're at work |
| Thus the attainment of enlightenment and becoming | | | | without jumping into any posture or physical stance. |
| the yogi. | | | | Take a few moments out and close your eyes and |
| Bhakti Yoga is another very popular style of Yoga. | | | | follow your breath. Breathe in hold the breath for a |
| Bhakti translates as developing divine love and | | | | couple of seconds then release it. Imagine the stress |
| devotion to God and is often known as one of the | | | | leaving on the out breath. Do that a few times then |
| more easier paths of yoga. Bhakti yoga generally | | | | be aware when you're taking the breath in imagine |
| uses 9 Bhakti movements and its goal is moksha | | | | breathing in the prana, the vital energy of the |
| which means liberation. | | | | universe. After a few more times, be aware, at first |
| Karma is a term quiet familiar to western culture | | | | with your imagination, that your whole being is filled |
| especially with the growth of the new age | | | | with this vital energy so it comes in with the in |
| movements. Karma yoga is often called the discipline | | | | breath and also goes out with the out breath. Try |
| of action. There is good and bad karma. Karma is the | | | | this technique for five to ten minutes and you will |
| law of cause and effect and is mainly known to be | | | | feel the results. |
| taught in Indian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and | | | | |