Meditation Exercises

Meditation lies as a central method within Raja Yoga because it is highly effective at training the mind and emotions. If the mind comes under control and understood well it becomes an aid to achievements in life. Conversely a mind that is unfocused and whose internal functions are not apprehended correctly then it serves to distract and dissipate our potential.

The mind, with its thoughts and emotions, reaches into the physical body. They have a great effect on its condition depending if the thoughts and emotions are disturbed and conflicted or contented and harmonious.

Dhyana is the term of meditation in the Sanskrit tradition of India. In Pali, an older dialect and the language of Buddha, it is jhana. Teachers of meditation travelled the silk trade route and introduced the practices where it became known as chan(na) in Mandarin, seon in Korea, and zen in Japan. In Vietnamese dhyana is thien. All of these weave together into the broad range of meditational practice.

The psychological process occurs in space and time, the most elementary frames or limitations of our human perception and conception. Yoga meditation aims at piercing through the perceptual hold over the mind and liberating oneself from degrees of distraction, disturbance and inertia. This brings about an altogether new awareness both of oneself and the world.

The main effect of intensive meditation is samadhi, the experience of superconsciousness, an elated joyful state in which the fluctuations and operations of the mind are left behind by a method of self-control.

Along the way towards this achievement numerous subsidiary effects are gained by the practice of meditation. A significant amount of research has occurred in institutes in India, Europe and USA documenting these effects. A few of them include:

•   Lowering of the heart rate
•  Contributes to reducing stress
• Induces the "relaxation response"
• Improved control of the thought process
•  Acquiring ability to promote positive thoughts
• Awareness of the link between our state of mind and physical health

Raja Yoga Exercises

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RajaYoga is the umbrella for all the systems of Yoga. It is a path which incorporates the various streams together - the physical, spiritual, moral, educational, system of disciplines, system of energies, and the texts of yoga.

Raja Yoga is based upon raja-vidya, the knowledge of running a kingdom. Raja means royal or regal and in previous times the royalty of India practiced yoga meditation under the guidance of a kula-guru, the teacher of the family and clan.

Raja Yoga is called the royal path because the kingdom is actually oneself and one becomes a ruler of their mind and emotions. It is an organized method of yoga wherein the variety of techniques and methods are placed within a broad framework. Within its scope is ashtanga-yoga, the yoga of eight limbs, consisting of yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.

Raja Yoga is a science of self-training which provides a refined way to develop the skills which are exactly the abilities required to live life-focusing your attention, lessening distraction, increasing energy, vibrant health, inspiration that induces creativity, and importantly unfolding your intuition which allows you to understand people and situations.

In essence one will have a calm and clear mind, which sees with clarity and comprehension.

About Yoga Exercises

The Yoga science is a unified system. There are terms of Yoga:

• Ashtanga-yoga
• Bhakti-yoga
• Dhyana-yoga
• Hatha-yoga
• Jnana-yoga
• Karma-yoga
• Kriya-yoga
• Kundalini-yoga
• Laya-yoga
• Mantra-yoga
• Sankhya-yoga
• Swara-yoga
• Tantra-yoga
• Yoga-nidra

and so forth, all are included within the one field of Yoga. What they are and how they fit together to be sequentially practiced is known within the comprehensive system of the Himalayan Tradition of Yoga.

Yoga begins with the individual, with the functions that occur within and are easily recognizable. Underlying all forms of Yoga is the understanding that the human being is something more than only the physical body and through a course of practice, it is possible to discover what that "more" is.

Adhering to certain beliefs is not a prerequisite. A useful belief is in yourself. A belief where one can explore within and activate their inner resources and unfold their potential.

In this way Yoga is available to anyone; a beginner may implement whichever part they find helpful and capable of practicing from the many facets of the Yoga science.

Hatha Yoga - Yoga Exercises

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Hatha-yoga is a profound practice within Yoga. It is a very particular form of training which does not resemble the ordinary presentations of Yoga. The physical brain acts as a source of energy. The nervous system channels this energy so that the body can function and one develops self-control and purification of the nervous system. A strong mind needs a healthy body and nervous system in order to function and govern the process of life and self-development. Purification of the nervous system helps us to achieve this necessary state of health and allows us to penetrate deeper than is normally possible into the depths of the mind.

Segments of the practice consist of gentle postures and movements designed to release tension in the body and permit the free flow of energy. Rejuvenation and increased energy are nurtured by removing the tension.

One of the distinctions of the Himalayan Tradition is dozens of postures, breathing methods and related practices are organized into different sequences suitable for beginners including the elderly, intermediate or advanced practitioners.

As inclusive to the Raja Yoga system, in the practice of hatha-yoga we learn to let go of the physical aspect of the postures and experience a new depth and awareness that naturally leads to meditation. Here the true meaning of hatha-yoga is revealed as a profound spiritual practice rather than solely a physical form. Concepts such as performance are left out and the sequences adapt to the individual at any level.

A few of the recognized benefits from the regular practice of hatha-yoga are:

• correction of poor posture
• improvement of circulation
• decrease of muscle tension
• improving breathing disorders
• stimulation of digestion and elimination
• toning of the glands and endocrine system