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Yoga exercises alone - without any chanting or prayer or invocation that may be associated with some yoga practices - are simply a means of healing the body. The reason that this is associated with certain faiths is that by healing the body, and improving the flow of organic energy, a clearer connection with the intrinsic spirituality we each have is facilitated. This capacity for a personal relationship to the Divine (or whatever each faith calls it), is something most of us share, though it is certainly not encouraged in the fundamentalist interpretations of all religions.

One could ask the question of why there has been this divorce between religion and spirituality in some quarters, why any means that encourages a personal relationship with the Divine is discouraged. One could perhaps surmise something about the balance of power it fosters. In this light, it is little surprise that yoga is discouraged in certain quarters. The truth of the matter is that the exercises alone will not make a Christian any less Christian. But they can help a person gain a clearer understanding of what it means to be truly spiritual, in a deeply personal way, whatever the outside religion they follow.

As the pop band U2 sung - "What more in the name of love?"more

What is Patanjali's ashtanga Yoga? (Part-II)

... exhalation or breathing takes place in a very subtle manner. This is Pranayama. patanjali teaches - after one rests in Asana, there is cut off in the movements of inhalation and exhalation and this cut off is Pranayama(II.49). This can be scientifically explained also. When the body is in motion, the rate of metabolism in the body is higher and so one breathes in quick succession. Conversely whe one is in rest the rate of metabolism is less and one breathes after a long pause. Again, when mind is restless, one breathes quickly and when mind is calm, one breathes normally.

different schools of Yoga, which teach to control breathing forcibly, only follow unscientific and impure Pranayama. By forcibly withhelding breath, one keeps carbon dioxide inside for a longer period and this may be fatal to the body cells. In pure and true Pranayama one has to do nothing. One should lie in Sukhasana and keep mind on the movement of breath across the nostrills. In this way body, mind and Prana become motionless naturally and become one. In Pranayama one concentrates mind and gives rest to this overworked Prana.more

Getting Healthy with Yoga

... This study found people who regularly practiced yoga and meditation, exercised and watched their diet lost more weight than those who exercised, and ate a balanced diet, but did not practice yoga.

Additionally Yoga can improve your range of motion in your hips, reducing lower back pain. A study done at The american college of Sports Medicine, suggest that yoga increases lower back flexibility and decreases pain. It was a small study conducted on older women age 44-62. Persistent back pain however should always be professional diagnosed before embracing on any exercise program ...more

ashtanga Yoga - Is It Right for You?

...ashtanga Yoga is the type of yoga which was developed and founded by K. Pattabhi Jois. This type of yoga is known as the Eight Limb Yoga which has revolved in Pattanjali's enormous idea. It presented that the path of purification is made up of the eight spiritual practices.

The first four limbs that represent ashtanga Yoga are yama, niyama, Asana and the Pranayama. These are considered cleansing practices which are externally correctable. The other set of limbs which are the pratyahara, dhyana, dharana are the internal practies.

These limbs can only be corrected by the proper application of the ashtanga Yoga method. This type of yoga method is quite dangerous to the mind.

K. Pattabhi Jois said that practicing these Eight Limbs and also its sub-limbs of the external practices which include the niyama and yama is not possible. In doing so, the body should...more