Patanjali was a pioneer of classical yoga. He defined yoga as "the cessation of the modification of the mind." Important yoga words (Eight Organs of Yoga)
• Yama: Positive Rules of meditations
• Niyama: Prohibitory Rules of meditations
• Asanas: physical postures and movements
• Pranayama: breathing techniques
• Prtyahar: controlling the mind
• Dharana: gazing inward
• Dhyan: meditation with objec
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• Samadhi: meditation without object
• Dhyana: meditations
Types of yoga
• Classification based on Mind and Body. o Rajayoga: Emphasizes the most on exercis
o Hathayoga: Emphasizes the most on exercise of physical body.
• Classification based on way of spiritual life. o Gyanyoga: It is a way of knowledge. o Karmayoga: It is a way of work. o Bhaktiyoga: It is a way of worship.
• Classification based on a way of other things. o Swaryoga: Emphasizes the most on breathing. o Kriyayoga: Emphasizes the most on blending Karmayoga (Tapa), Gyanyoga (Swadhyay) and Bhaktiyoga (Ishwar Pranidhan). Benefits of Yoga
• All-round fitness. You are truly healthy when you are not just physically fit but also mentally and emotionally balanced.
• Weight loss. What many want! Yoga benefits here too. Sun Salutations and Kapal Bhati pranayama are some ways to help lose weight with yoga.
• Stress relief. A few minutes of yoga during the day can be a great way to get rid of stress that accumulates daily - in both the body and mind. Yoga postures, pranayama and meditation are effective techniques to release stress.
• Inner peace. We all love to visit peaceful, serene spots, rich in natural beauty. Little do we realize that peace can be found right within us and we can take a mini-vacation to experience this any time of the day!
• Improved immunity. Our system is a seamless blend of the body, mind and spirit. An irregularity in the body affects the mind and similarly unpleasantness or restlessness in the mind can manifest as an ailment in the body. Yoga poses massage organs and stregthen muscles; breathing techniques and meditation release stress and improve immunity.
• Increased energy. Shuttling between multiple tasks through the day can sometimes be quite exhausting. A few minutes of yoga everyday provides the secret to feeling fresh and energetic even after a long day. A 10-minute online guided meditation benefits you immensely, leaving you refreshed and recharged in the middle of a hectic day.
• Better intuition. Yoga and meditation have the power to improve your intuitive ability so that you effortlessly realize what needs to be done, when and how, to yield positive results.
