What is Yoga? |

The word Yoga comes from Sanskrit and originates from the verbal root “yuj”, which means to unite, integrate and totalize. Therefore, Yoga is also union, since its main objective is to awaken the feeling of ecstasy (well-being), through the integration of the being. This integration takes place through breathing techniques (Pranayama), postures and physical movements (asanas), in addition to meditation.

Origin

Yoga originated in India and is based on the principles of Indian physical and mental disciplines. The practices, therefore, were greatly influenced by the philosophies of Buddhism and Hinduism.

How it works?

The practice of Yoga aims to silence the mind.

The yogic masters discovered that by achieving balance in the body – through flexibility of movement and alignment and balance of the chakras and glands – the mind, as a result, became balanced.

Although all Yoga practitioners have this goal in common, the means to achieve it are different, which ended up giving rise to the most varied lines of Yoga, each with its own particular proposal. They are: Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Raja Yoga, Raja Vidya Yoga, Siddha Yoga, Swasthya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Prakriti Yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Iyengar Yoga, among others.

In the context of Hinduism, six lines of Yoga stand out:

bhakti yoga: this is the Yoga of devotion, in which the emotional strength and love of the practitioner are purified and channeled towards God;
jnana yoga: is evolution through knowledge or wisdom;
karma yoga: is the Yoga of action and voluntary work;
raja yoga: has an emphasis on the mental faculties, the direct path to Meditation and contemplation;
Raja Vidya Yoga: leads the practitioner to the enlightenment of reverence consciousness and energy transmission, through physical postures, pranayamas (breathing techniques), relaxation, concentration techniques and Meditation for the awakening of spiritual consciousness, in addition to mantras and kriyas (body purification) ;
Hatha Yoga: Aims at developing the potential of the body to achieve enlightenment.

However, from the Hatha Yoga line, many other strands emerged:

kryia yoga: is a method revived by Master Babaji, which consists of five techniques to purify and control the body and mind;
siddha yoga: it is the Yoga of the great masters, of devotion through mantras and meditation;
swasthya yoga: it is the systematization of Ancient Yoga, carried out in the 60s. The practice was carried out by the Brazilian DeRose, a well-known writer and Yoga teacher;
kundalini yoga: focuses on the process of awakening the maximum energy power of the practitioner – the one that carries all potentialities and gives life to all organisms. Furthermore, the aim of this practice is to control and unite this power with your supreme consciousness, to merge body and spirit;
Prakriti Yoga: linked to the nature of life, which connects with forces and energy;
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga: consists of the synchronization of postures, movements and breathing techniques, which have gradual physical, mental and spiritual effects. In Brazil, first and second grades are generally taught. To perform the first, it is estimated that the practitioner takes from one and a half to three years to learn, if there is discipline;
Iyengar Yoga: postures focusing on body alignment.

Note that, in addition to exercising the body, Yoga also works on breathing, relaxation and expansion of consciousness. Yoga is a way of conscious living. However, the teachings you can gain from it are accessible only through regular practice.

applications

The main objective of Yoga is to transfer the teachings and self-knowledge acquired in the practice room to everyday life. Naturally, your lifestyle and your behavior in the face of events will undergo some kind of transformation, as the practitioner starts to have a better relationship with himself. The application of Yoga happens as you change the way you relate to everything around you.

Are there contraindications?

Everyone can practice Yoga, after all, beings have the right to live in full happiness. The only important question is: what is the practitioner seeking? Your state of health or biotype is what will determine the style of practice or line of Yoga that the person will follow.

Therefore, it is important to take an experimental class or talk to a Yoga teacher. The idea is to expose your objectives so that the specialist can help you discern which is the best methodology to follow. Depending on the case, some postures may be contraindicated for some practitioners.

Our experts

– Rosine Mello, graduated in Physical Education, is a Yoga teacher.

– Thaise Titon is a psychologist, specializing in Body Psychology, and teaches Yoga in Rio de Janeiro.

– Gustavo Cunha teaches Yoga, studies Sanskrit and Vedanta and runs a Yoga center in Portugal.

– Jayadvaita Das is an expert in pranayama, Meditation and Vedanta Philosophy.

– Rafaella Coelho is a Swasthya Yoga instructor.

– Andrea Alves is an Ayurveda therapist, Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist.