Yoga and Spirituality

Yoga means to unite, to join. It is union with all. Yoga is a way of life, a system that integrates body, mind and soul.

Different paths of yoga were developed through centuries. All these paths lead to a spiritual development by using different means. Some of them are:

Karma Yoga or Yoga of Service
Karma Yoga is the path of service. In this path it is emphasized that "what you sow you shall reap" or the present situation is brought into life through the past actions and the future is determined by what you do and think right now. If you choose negativity and selfishness this is what you will experience towards you in the future.
Selfless service in the present, changing the attitude, forgiveness and letting go will help change your soul and change your destiny for the better.

Jnana Yoga or Yoga of the Mind
Jnana Yoga is the path of Yoga that deals with the mind. It emphasizes the openness of mind for knowledge which means acceptance of different philosophies and religions.
If one wants to know the spirit he needs to have an open and rational mind.

Bhakti Yoga or Yoga of Devotion
Bhakti Yoga is the path of the heart and devotion. Yogis who practice this branch see the "One" or the Divine in everyone and everything. In my understanding this is what Mother Theresa was practicing - knowingly or unknowingly. Love and acceptance of all things are the keys on this path.

Raja Yoga or Yoga of Self-Control
Raja Yoga is based on the teachings of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. These steps were written down by Sage Patanjali in "The Yoga Sutras" (threads of wisdom) - you can download it below.

Each part (step) of Raja Yoga is a stepping stone to the next one leading eventually to self-realization, Samadhi.

Yoga - physical and breathing exercises
Asanas (yogic postures) and Pranayama (breathing exercises) are steps three and four of the Raja Yoga path of self-realization.

Hatha yoga that includes Asanas and Pranayama aims to bring the physical body under the conscious control of the mind so both then can be used for higher spiritual purposes.

Physical body is seen as a mean to a higher purpose and hence the proper care of the physical body is necessary. This care is achieved through yogic breathing (Pranayama), proper exercise (Asanas), proper relaxation and vegetarian diet.

Pranayama helps to cleanse and nourish the physical body. Regular practice of Pranayama helps to gain a control of pranic (energy) flow in the body that can be used for self-development, healing oneself and healing others.

Proper relaxation gives body a chance to recharge. It includes physical relaxation that can be achieved through the progressive relaxation technique, for example; mental relaxation that can be achieved through Yogic breathing exercises, for example, and spiritual relaxation achievable through meditation which also relaxes body and mind.

Yogic diet being simple, natural and wholesome takes into account the subtle effect that food has on the mind and on the astral body. Followers of this diet attain good health, a keen intellect and serenity of mind.

Asanas provide a gentle stretching that acts to lubricate the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other parts of the body. They help to tone the nervous system, improve circulation, release tension and increase flexibility. They also broaden the mental faculties and enhance the spiritual capabilities.

Unlike regular fitness exercises asanas provide with physical, mental and pranic benefits.

I developed an interest in spiritual disciplines when a tragic event happened in my family and I started to search for a meaning of things that had happened and were happening in my life. At that time I was 13 years old.

Spiritual disciplines like yoga weren't allowed at that time in my home country so it wasn't possible to find a book in a book store or to listen about it on the TV or radio.

People were definitely not talking about Yoga on the streets or in crowded, entertaining and somewhat noisy family gatherings.

I never heard about yoga till one day I found a typewritten copy of Hatha Yoga translated in Russian. There was just general information about yoga and description of yogic breathing exercising and postures without any illustrations.

The general information provided was in tune with my soul, with what I was searching so I decided to try the exercises.

I started doing some Asana and Pranayama exercises but couldn't make it a regular practice at that time.

When I was about 22 years old I stumbled upon a book entitled "Light On The Path and Through the Gates of Gold" devoted to eastern philosophical view of spiritual development. It was an old book published before the Revolution of 1917 in Russia and was written in ancient Russian language.

I can tell you that this book changed my life. It was the first book that introduced me to the concepts of Karma, non-attachment to the material world and being guided through the life by the Higher Self. These were the concepts that I internalized through the course of my life. All of the sudden things started to make sense to me.

Since the book wasn't mine and we didn't have the copy machines at that time I copied the most important parts of the book by hand - about 40 handwritten pages.

I started to meditate regularly but at that time I still didn't incorporate Hatha Yoga into my daily routine. I started to do postures and breathing exercises regularly only when I left my country.

Download the "Light On The Path and Through the Gates of Gold" for free below.

Yoga was primarily a spiritual concept for me. Through Yoga breathing exercises and postures I was able to clear my mind to be able to hear that non-persistent, calm voice of my Higher Self and be guided by it in my life.

This was actually the purpose of Yogic physical exercises or at least my understanding of it after reading books on yoga and spiritual development.

The spiritual wisdom of Yoga is best described in the book "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" that you can download on this lens.

Please note that neither "Light on the Path" nor "Yoga Sutras" are easy readings.

These are original philosophical books and require a diligent effort to be understood.

Before I started doing yoga regularly I was 25 pounds overweight. Because of my extra weight I started having lower back problems. At some point I had to stay in bed for two days because of the back pain.

Since Hatha yoga was always in my mind I decided to start practicing it on a regular basis. Since I've started my regular yoga exercises the back pain never returned. My migraine headaches disappeared as well.

Moreover in couple of months I started to feel some inside change. I decided to change my nutrition style completely and lose weight.

The decision wasn't coming from my mind - it was some kind of a deep understanding coming from the inside. I incorporated yogic recipes into my daily menu. I also started a weekly fasting plan.

About 6 weeks later I was 25 pounds lighter and my health, energy level and general attitude to life improved as well. I attribute this change to my regular yoga practice.

If you are interested in weight loss click here to read the "Yoga and Weight Loss" article.

Another article is here.

What is Yoga, in Short?

Yoga is an experience of oneness in life and provides means to achieve the spiritual awakening.

Yoga helps to discover who we really are - not just the body and constant mind talk.

Yoga helps to become less attached to material, passing things, become non-judgmental and tolerant to others. This brings peace and joy into life.

Yoga is not about the development of physical body but rather about spiritual aspects of our existence, about transformation of matter into spirit.

Is Yoga a Religion?

Yoga is not a religion. It is more of a set of techniques to help to find spirituality. Yoga, in general, is a spiritual practice or discipline that helps the individual unify his body, mind, and heart. In fact, Yoga is being practiced by a lot of people from different religions like Christians, Jewish, Buddhists, and Muslims.

Is Yoga an Exercise Routine?

Yoga develops the body since a weak one is a hindrance to spiritual growth. However it does not simply focus on the physical aspect but on the mental and spiritual aspects as well.

You can probably imagine my disappointment when I got acquainted with the Western Yoga or Yoga Inc. as it is accurately pointed out in the title of the John Philp's documentary.

In the western, commercialized practice yoga is combined with things that have nothing in common with it thus degrading the whole practice to the flexibility routine for the body. To sell it better, it is being combined with such an all time bestseller as sex (yoga for better sex, for example).

Yoga routines are also being copyrighted. How can possibly thousands years old Yoga routine be copyrighted?

Yoga, a spiritual practice that promotes concepts opposite to competition, all of the sudden becomes a "competitive" sport.

Yoga teacher concept is degraded to a fitness instructor certified in the particular discipline.

Since there is a big demand on "yoga teachers" overpriced courses are offered by "gurus" and regulatory bodies are quickly established to "regulate" the profession, etc.

Within a decade thousands years old spiritual practice became just another form of exercise - it got captured into the web of money and commerce.