SCIENCE

OF
YOGA
 YOGA – AN INTRODUCTION
• Root word – Yuj (meaning – joining)
• “Yujyate anena iti yogah” (meaning - yoga is that
which joins)
• What are the entities to be joined?
• In traditional terminology, it is joining of Jivatma
(individual self) with Paramatma (universal self)
• One of the six systems of Indian philosophy (Shat
Darshanas)
YOGA – AN INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest rishis (seer), Patanjali,
compiled the essential features and principles
of Yoga (which were earlier interspersed in
Yoga Upanishads) in the form of Sutras
(aphorisms)and made a vital contribution in
the field of Yoga, nearly 5000 years ( as dated
by some famous western historians)
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY
On 11 December 2014, the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) with 193 members
approved the proposal to celebrate 'June 21' as
the 'International Yoga Day'
 DEFINITIONS
• Sage Patanjali – Yoga is a conscious process of
gaining mastery over the mind
• Sri Aurobindo – Yoga is a methodical effort
towards self-perfection by the development of the
potentialities latent in the individual
• The Bhagavad Gita – Yogah Karmasu Kausalam
(Yoga is dexterity in action)
• Yoga Vasistha – Manah Prasamanopayah Yoga
ityabhidhiyate ( Yoga is a skillful trick to calm
down the mind)
 WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is:
• Skillful science of gaining mastery over the
mind
• State of great steadiness at emotional level;
balance of concentration and detachment at
mental level; and homoeostasis at body level
• Conceived as a creative power in man and that
of the reality itself
 BENEFITS OF YOGA
• Helps us to bridge disconnections between the body,
mind, and breath
• Increases strength and flexibility
• Improves balance and core strength
• Brings a sense of mindfulness into our lives
• Relieves chronic pain
• Improving sleep and self-reported quality of life
• Reduces anxiety and depression
 BENEFITS OF YOGA
• Improvement in immunity: Protection from diseases
• Healthy Heart: Protection from Heart Problems
• Improved body flexibility: Protection from Injury
• Improved Body posture: Better personal image
• Positivity in mind: Protection from Hypertension,
depression, etc.
• Weight reduction / Weight increase: Body attains ideal
body weight
• Improved Muscle Strength
• Improved Vitality
 STREAMS OF YOGA

RAJA YOGA JNANA YOGA

STREAMS
OF YOGA

BHAKTI YOGA KARMA YOGA

 JNANA YOGA
• Is the path of intellect and wisdom

• Its components include study of sacred texts,

intellectual debates, philosophical discussion,
and introspection

• Socrates was a jnana yogi

 BHAKTI YOGA
• Cultivates the expression and love of the
Divine through devotional rituals
• Forms of this path include regular prayer,
chanting, singing, dancing, ceremony, and
celebration
• Meera, who was a great devotee of Lord
Krishna was a bhakti yogi
 KARMA YOGA
• Is the path of service through selfless action
for the good of others

• Example: Mother Teresa's works to serve poor

people as a way to connect the compassion of
God with humanity
 RAJA YOGA
• Also known as the "royal path"
• Refers to the journey toward personal
enlightenment.
• This path consists of balancing the three main
yoga types just described – Karma Yoga,
Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga - while
integrating the eight limbs of yoga
PATANJALI'S EIGHT LIMBS OF
YOGA
SUMMING IT UP.....
TYPES OF YOGA
HATHA YOGA

ASHTANGA YOGA
IYENGAR YOGA

KUNDALINI YOGA

VINYASA YOGA

BIKRAM YOGA
 HATHA YOGA
• A comprehensive term that includes all kinds
of yoga that is based in physical practice
• The practice involves having to hold a pose for
a few breaths
• Focuses a lot of meditation and correct
breathing and postures
• Also includes some essential relaxation
techniques
ASHTANGA YOGA
• Ashtanga Yoga or the “eight limb path” is very
physically demanding

• It involves doing multiple suryanamaskars

followed by standing and floor postures

• There are six series of postures that have to be

repeated in every class

• It takes years of practice to master this form

 IYENGAR YOGA
• Founded by B.K.S. Iyengar
• Focuses on correct alignment of the body and very
precise moves
• Postures are held while holding your breath and the
duration of each pose increases with expertise
• The perfect pose is achieved with the help of PROPS
like traps, blocks, ropes and blankets
• Improves stability, mobility , strength and flexibility
KUNDALINI YOGA
• Kundalini yoga is one of those mysterious yoga
practices that is as spiritual as it is physical
• This form is physically demanding and mentally
challenging
• Involves a lot of meditation, chanting, mudras and
breathing exercises
• The whole point of this style is to release the
kundalini energy that is coiled in the lower spine
 VINYASA YOGA
• Involves a number of athletic yoga postures and each
movement is coordinated with one’s breath
• Is also a very physically demanding practice
• The pace is quick and you will not have to hold any one
pose for too long
• The key is to flow from one pose to the next so your
heart rate gets pumping.
• Does not have a set structure and often depends on the
teacher who might include some meditation and chanting
 BIKRAM YOGA
• Created by yoga guru Bikram Choudhury
• Key feature of this practice is to do a set of poses in a
room heated to 41 degrees centigrade and 40 percent
humidity.
• In a 90-minute sequence there are 26 basic postures that
are done twice and two breathing exercises
• The heat makes you sweat excessively thereby getting
your body rid of toxins
• The postures work every part of your body and bring
oxygenated blood to all your internal organs
 HOT YOGA

• Hot yoga is a form of yoga as exercise performed

under hot and humid conditions, resulting in
considerable sweating.
• It is not restricted to the 26-pose sequence.
• Some hot yoga practices seek to replicate the heat
and humidity of India, where yoga originated
 KRIPALU YOGA
• It is a non-profit organization.
• Its 160,000-square-foot facility is a former Jesuit
novitiate and juniorate seminary built in 1957.
• When it was founded by Amrit Desai, it had a
traditional guru-disciple structure
• less on hectic asanas but on self-reflection,
pranayama, deep relaxation, and meditation. The
aim is to destress the mind and body for better
health and self-awareness.
 JIVAMUKTI YOGA
• The Jivamukti Yoga method created by David Life
and Sharon Gannon in 1984.
• Jivamukti is a physical, ethical, and spiritual
practice,
• Combining a vigorous yoga as exercise,
vinyasa-based physical style with adherence to
•
• Five central tenets: shastra, bhakti, ahimsā, nāda,
and dhyana
 Yin yoga

• Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga as

exercise, incorporating principles of traditional
Chinese medicine.
•
• Asanas that are held for longer periods of time
than in other styles. (from 45 seconds to two
minutes)