Life is sacred. All the things we do to support life are sacred practices. Yoga is a lifestyle practice aimed at restoring harmony at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level.
Taking a class is like a ritual. We add intention to effort to move energy and create change. Yoga is about building a relationship to ourselves at all of these levels, a journey from the outer world to the inner world.
Practicing yoga is much more than just excercising a physical body or feeling great or looking well, it's a sacred ritual that supports our whole being.
The 4 paths of yoga are:
Raja
Mastery of the mind
Jnana
Knowledge
Karma
Selfless service
Bhakti
Devotion
These are practiced through 8 limbs:
Yama
5 Abstinances for outer / social balance including respecting all beings right to life, living truthfully, enjoying what you have, letting what you have go, controlling urges
Niyama
5 Observances for inner / personal balance including being content, respecting your body/mind/home/environment, not being wasteful, self study, surrender to the infinite
Asana
Physical posture for healthy body to experience life through
Pranayama
Breath control for managing the energetic and nervous system
Pratyahara
Sensory Management controls what we ingest from the outside world that becomes the physical, mental & emotional body
Dharana
Concentration methods to help us focus our efforts in the right places
Dhyana
Meditation or sustained concentration to help us keep the mind clear of clutter
Samadhi
A sense of oneness or unity with all people, creatures, places, timeframes, a constant sense of connectedness.
These are practiced for 4 principal goals of life:
Moksha
Liberation; what can I live without?
Kama
Pleasure; what do I enjoy?
Dharma
Purpose; what do I want?
Artha
Prosperity; what do I need?
Sacred Yoga uses Asana (physical posture), Pranayama (breathing practices), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (Meditation) to help you cultivate the Yamas, Niyamas, Pratyahara and Samadhi in your life to help you find your path towards your goals.
