The wisdom and techniques of yoga brought to you in a simple and Joyful manner

What is Yoga?

Perform action, O Arjuna, being steadfast in Yoga, abandoning attachment, and balanced in success and failure. Evenness of mind is called Yoga. The Bhagvad Geeta Yogash Chitta Vriti Nirodha.

A wave uniting with the depth is Yoga. Sri Sri yuj Parvati Lord Shiva

It is an inherent desire in humans to be happy. The ancient sages, through inquiry about life, were able to reach a state of consciousness in which the

secrets of healthier, happier and meaningful living were revealed to them. Sages called that secret and sacred knowledge Yoga. The term Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning union; the union of the individual consciousness with the universal Consciousness. The knowledge of yoga can be found in ancient scriptures dating back over 5000 years. According to Hindu mythology, this knowledge was first revealed by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati (also known as Shakti, the cosmic creative energy). Yoga transcends any religion or culture. Its application is universal. Yoga is not merely a form of exercise for the body, but a path towards total harmony of body, mind and spirit. It is ancient wisdom for a healthier, happier and more peaceful way of living that ultimately leads to Self-realization, the union with the Self. It was from this state of union when Jesus said Me and My Father are one. http://srisriyoga.info/index.html

Different Paths of Yoga Yoga is the journey as well as the goal. Just as all rivers lead to the ocean, all paths of yoga lead to Self-realisation.
There are many paths of yoga prescribed in the scriptures. Though the journey may begin on any single path, for full blossoming and fulfillment, a multi-path approach needs to be followed. All paths can be categorized into following primary paths.

1. Bhakti Yoga The Path of Devotion

Gods love is unconditional. Acknowledging that love and reflecting it back to God is devotion. Blossoming of devotion toward God is the sweetest experience one can have. Devotion means being in a state of complete surrender to God. It is the willingness to serve God with love and with feelings of gratefulness. A devotee sees divinity everywhere and yet has an intense longing for God. Love toward God can take many forms with many different feelings. For example, it can be the feeling of a true friendship with God; of being a faithful servant to God; of being a beloved of God; of being a child of God; or of being a parent to God. A devotee transcends worldly sorrows or pains. It is in devotion that one experiences total freedom from fear and worry. Devotion is the simplest way of receiving freedom from worldly bondage. A true devotee has no selfdesires, including the desire for liberation. Devotion in ones heart is kindled by the grace of a guru, by being in the company of other devotees, and by reading and listening to the stories of other devotees.

Those who worship the imperishable, the indefinable, the unmanifest, the omnipresent, the unthinkable, the immovable and the eternal, fixing their mind on God, ever steadfast and endowed with supreme faith, are the best in Yoga.
The Bhagvad Geeta

2. Karma Yoga The Path of Selfless Service

Karma Yoga is the path of serving others selflessly: putting in 100% effort but not expecting anything in return. Karma Yoga is closely linked to Bhakti Yoga for without love and devotion it would not be possible to serve others selflessly. Performing ones duties and serving humanity without any selfish motives purifies the heart and brings fulfillment.

Thy right is to work only, but never with its fruits; let

not the fruits of action be thy motive, nor let thy attachment be to inaction. As the ignorant men act from attachment to action, so should the wise act without attachment, wishing the welfare of the world.
The Bhagvad Geeta

3. Gnana Yoga The Path of Knowledge

We have read and heard that God is Omnipresent and every one is Divine. And that the reality of life lies hidden behind what one can see or touch. For most people, however, this is only a concept. The path of knowledge is the experiential knowledge of the Self, it is wisdom that discriminates between that which is real and unreal. The true and the highest knowledge is the knowledge of the Self. Though one begin begin on this path by reading scriptures and listening to the wise, the knowledge flows from within by the grace of the Guru. The knowledge gained by reading or hearing only may give rise to the I know it attitude which feeds the ego and can be an obstacle in ones spiritual evolution. The wisdom or the knowledge of the Self, on the other hand, brings surrender and devotion in ones life. A wise person remains unaffected by the transient, unreal events in life.

The wise, ever steadfast in the knowledge of Self, excels. He gradually evolves and realizes the Self. He is exceedingly dear to Me and I am exceedingly dear to him. Such a great soul is very hard to find.
The Bhagvad Geeta

4. Ashtanga Yoga Eight Limbs of Yoga

The mind is constantly engaged in all kinds of mental activity. The more activity there is, the more clouded the mind is. When the mind is calm, ones perception is clearer and one is free from fears and worries. Patanjali, an ancient sage, defined yoga as the restraining of thought waves. He compiled Patanjalis Yoga Sutras, the aphorisms of yoga, in which he provides eight-limbed approach for the well-being and purification of body, mind and soul. Eight- limbed approach, known as Ashtanga Yoga consists practicing of: social ethics, individual ethics, postures, breath control,

discipline of the senses, concentration, meditation, and selfrealisation or equanimity.

5. Hatha Yoga Hatha Yoga, a very popular path of yoga, consists of some of the elements of Ashtanga yoga, primarily, the Postures, Breath control, and Meditation.

http://srisriyoga.info/types.html

What is Sri Sri Yoga?

Sri Sri Yoga is a prayerful and balanced discipline, which offers a multi-path approach for uniting body, breath and mind with awareness. Sri Sri Yoga brings you the wisdom and techniques of yoga in a very joyful, sincere and thorough manner. A combination of gentle and vigorous series of asanas is taught for the well-being of the body, while an equal emphasis is placed on techniques for nurturing the mind and spirit. Sri Sri Yoga brings you back to your natural self, thereby nurturing all the virtues that you are born with. For those interested in exploring their inner Being further, a vast ocean of

knowledge and many meditative techniques are available through our Art of Living courses. http://srisriyoga.info/whatis_sri.html

Benefits of Practicing Yoga

Yoga and Body
On the physical level, some of the benefits of yoga are that it: Improves flexibility, the range of joint movements, the posture and alignment of the body, blood circulation and digestion. Strengthens, nourishes and tones the muscles, joints, bones, internal tissues and organs. Enhances the function of endocrine glands;

Provides prevention, relief and helps recovery from many illnesses such as chronic pain, anxiety and panic, gastro-intestinal disorders, sleep disturbances, fatigue, high blood pressure, headaches, depression, etc.; Overall the body feels healthier, more energetic, balanced, graceful, with greater immunity to disease and stress-related effects.

Yoga and Mind

If the mind is well, all else feels well. That is why, in Sri Sri Yoga, a great importance is given to the wellness of mind. With regular practice of yoga some of the benefits one experiences are: More peacefulness and calmness Improved alertness and clarity Increased ability to deal effectively with short and long term stressful situations. Increased concentration of mind Improved self-esteem Decreased reliance on drugs. Greater energy and enthusiasm for life.

Yoga and Spirit

It is the ignorance alone that keeps one from seeing the reality of life. Ignorance alone is the cause of all sufferings. Through the regular practice of yoga one develops skills and experiencial understanding to see the reality of life and appreciate its beauty. When you see the beauty in life, you are able to admire and adore the Creatorthe Spirit---the God. You see the Divine presence every where including in yourself. You form a stronger and loving connection with yourself which brings fulfilment and a meaningful purpose to life. It is out of this fulfilment you experience unconditional happiness and are able to share this joy with others. http://srisriyoga.info/benefits.html