Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

In Indian philosophy, Yoga is the name of one of the six orthodox philosophical schools. The Yoga philosophical system is closely allied with the Samkhya School. The Yoga school as expounded by Patanjali accepts the Samkhya psychology and metaphysics, but is more theistic than the Samkhya, as evidenced by the addition of a divine entity to the Samkhya's twenty-five elements of reality. The parallels between Yoga and Samkhya were so close that Max Muller says that "the two philosophies were in popular parlance distinguished from each other as Samkhya with and Samkhya without a Lord...." The intimate relationship between Samkhya and Yoga is explained by Heinrich Zimmer:

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga is a term within Hinduism which denotes the spiritual practice of fostering loving devotion to God, called bhakti. Traditionally there are nine forms of bhakti-yoga. Bhakti yoga is generally considered the easiest of the four general paths to liberation, or moksha (the others being Karma, Raja and Jnana Yoga), and especially so within the current age of Kali Yuga (according to the Hindu cycle of time). In scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana, bhakti is described as a perfectional stage in itself which surpasses even moksha as a level of spiritual realisation. Hindu movements in which bhakti yoga is the main practice are called bhakti movements.

Power of Yoga

Yoga Basics and Variations. While Yoga originated as a spiritual endeavor tied closely to the Eastern religions of Buddhism and Hinduism, modern society has adopted many of its basic tenets as a low impact physical fitness workout. Combining breath control, balance and stretching, practicing Yoga is a great way to enhance flexibility, posture and muscle tone. There are many options available in Yoga-based workouts, from those designed for stress release to more strenuous workouts intended to supplement weight loss. Whether you are interested in exploring the spiritual side of Yoga, or just want to increase your flexibility and control, there are a wide range of Yoga programs that can be incorporated into any lifestyle.



Exercise Specific Yoga Styles

Power Yoga. One of the most prevalent forms of exercise intensive Yoga is often referred to as Power Yoga. Geared toward toning muscle groups and enhancing control, Power Yoga offers a more intense workout than most other types of Yoga. Based on the Indian Yoga technique known as Ashtanga, Power Yoga is generally comprised of a two hour workout that cycle through several series of postures. The intense aerobic nature of the workout may make this style of Yoga difficult for beginners, but it also provides the most opportunity for body sculpting and muscle toning.


Core Yoga. A relatively new form of exercise-based Yoga, Core Yoga is designed to work on toning the abdominals, thighs and bottom. Many practitioners of Core Yoga use it as an addendum to their regular workout to target problem areas where weight can collect. Like other forms of Yoga, stretching and breath control are the focus of most exercises. This form of Yoga is also thought to help alleviate back pain, and many exercises originate from the spine. By actively participating in Core Yoga classes, you can expect to lose inches around your waist, bottom and hips.


Beginners Yoga. If you are new to Yoga, or uncertain whether your current level of fitness is up to an advanced Yoga routine, there are many beginning Yoga programs available on the market. Exploring Yoga for the first time can be an enlightening experience, and most beginners go on to more advanced levels once they are comfortable with the basics. Even beginner Yoga classes will emphasize muscle extension and breathe control. Opting for an introduction to Yoga program can provide a low impact workout that will supplement the rest of your fitness workout.