Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines that originated in India. The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’, which means ‘join’ or ‘union’, that is the union of mind, body and soul, and is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Janism. Within Hinduism, it refers to one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. Yoga means ultimate happiness at physical, mental, emotional and social level.

Major branches of Yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga. According to the authoritative Indian philosopher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, yoga, based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, comprises one of the six main Hindu schools of philosophy (darshanas), together with Kapila’s Samkhya, Gautama’s Nyana, Kamada’s Vaisheshika, Jaimini’s Purva Mimamsa, and Badarayana’s Uttara Mimamsa or Vedanta. Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of Yoga, including the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.

The main aim of Yoga is to keep our body clean, from within, to purify the heart and pacify the mind. Yoga controls the mind, the senses and the body. The body is made of five main elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether.

Classification of Yoga

There are 4 main kinds of Yoga:

1.  Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion or love

2.  Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge and wisdom

3.  Karma Yoga: The path of action

4.  Raja Yoga: The path of psychic control.

Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Mantra Yoga and Tantra Yoga are all the subsidiary branches of these four Yogas. Mantra Yoga is a subsidiary of Bhakti Yoga. Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Tantra Yoga are subsidiaries of Raja Yoga.

The basics

How easy is it to get started? Very, all you need is a positive attitude, loose fitting clothes, a willingness to open yourself to learning, to enlightenment. It is normally advisable to practice yoga on an empty stomach.

There are Yoga poses to partake in a few are as followed:

• Warm up Poses: This is a general warm up to loosen tight muscles, each level of yoga can offer different levels of warm ups.

• standing Poses: Again it all depends on what level yoga sessions you attend or practice, in general this covers hands to feet Pose, triangle Pose, sun salutation, Tree Pose, Stretch Pose, Warrior Pose and Stand spread leg forward fold.

• Seated Poses: These are exercises whilst seated, it is normal practice to use a yoga mat. The poses from this position again, according to the level you are on. Child Pose, Hero Pose, Spread leg forward fold, and seated forward bend.

• Supine Poses: This means exercise on your back, face up. Leg pulls, Leg raises, loctus Pose, Leg reclining Lunge and wind relieving Pose.

• Twist Poses: These exercises are wonderful for strengthening the back also for massaging the abdominal regions and improving the digestive system. The half spinal twist and sage twist.

• Back bends: These exercises are good for strengthening the arms, legs and abdomen and Offering flexibility in the spine.

• Inverted Postures,Balance Poses: These exercises are for increasing circulation, improving glandular system functioning, stimulating the brain and abdominal pressure relief. Plough, Headstand and Shoulder stand.

• Finishing Poses: These are as the title states, a relaxation for the end of a session.The final Corpse, The Corpse Pose or Savasana.

Yoga exercises are set in place to maintain a healthy mind as well as body, if you persevere with all the yoga pose the benefits are very rewarding, for mind, body and spirit. The beauty about Yoga practice is that you can practice at home or the office or any place you feel comfortable, it is always advisable not to exceed your limits, never go beyond your comfort zone unless you know what your are doing. You can book into a class where a professional Yoga teacher can offer you sound advice also teach you new techniques.

If you want to know more about yoga exercises and the other main principles then you may want to take a look at our yoga book. If you are looking towards
practicing corporate yoga and it's benefits then you may want to visit our corporate yoga page.

I hope this information has been of some use to you.