yoga midterm

what are the different meanings of yoga?

to connect, unite, or yoke

can also mean separation or disentanglement from what stops us from feeling free

who is patanjali?

the father of yoga and author of the yoga sutras

what are the four chapters of the yoga sutras?

samadhi-pada

sadhana-pada

vibhuti-pada

kaivalya-pada

describe the yoga sutras

compiled between 50 bce and 300 ce, and reflect some of the dominant views of yoga

collection of 196 compact observations on the nature of consciousness and liberation

there is an eight fold path leading to liberation known as the ashtanga yoga system or eight limbs of yoga

through teachings we can harness and cultivate the ability to live our life fully with purpose and intention

intention in yoga

practice or bringing awareness to a quality or virtue you’d like to cultivate for yourself

what are the benefits of yoga

helps support the body, mind, and spirit

3 examples of physical benefits of yoga

increases flexibility

improves circulation

improves strength, posture, and balance

3 examples of mind benefits of yoga

reduces stress

reduces anxiety

improves focus

3 examples of spiritual awareness in yoga

encourages self care

improves connection with inner self

increases self esteem

why was hatha yoga developed

it was developed as a set of extreme practices based on the concept of tapas

who were hatha yogis, and what was their focus

hatha yogis were outcasts with their main focus to burn off past karma

what is hatha yoga now

hatha yoga aims to join, yoke, and balance the two energies of the body and mind

what does a typical modern hatha yoga class look like

involves blocks, physical postures and breathing techniques

what are the modern yoga practices

asana: yoga postures

pranayama: breathing techniques

mantra: chanting or reciting

mudra: hand gestures

shatkriyas and shatkarmas: cleansing techniques

types of visualization

anatomical positions and planes

coronal (frontal) plane

sagittal plane

median

axial plane

coronal plane

divides the body into front and back sections

sagittal plane

divides the body into left and right

median

divides the body into equal left and right

axial plane

divides the body into upper and lower

coronal planes

adduction

abduction

adduction

action of bringing the limbs toward the center of the body

abduction

moves the limbs away from the body

sagittal plane

flexsion

extension

flexsion

movement that decreases the angle between body parts (bringing bones toward each other)

extension

movement that increases the angle between body parts (bringing bones away from each other)

axial

plane of movement where twist and turn take place

the muskoskeletal body

the spine and foundation of youth

what is the cause of suffrage in yoga philosophy

forgetfulness and disconnection with our true self - known as avidya

what are the 4 paths of yoga

karma yoga

bhakti yoga

raja yoga

jhana yoga

karma yoga

action and selfless service

purifies the heart and burns away selfish tendencies, therefore all actions are done with a focus on oneness and true self

bhakti yoga

yoga of devotion

asks us to purify and transform our egotistic self love by focusing the mind on sacred thoughts and transferring love and something into divine essence

raja yoga

yoga of meditation

resonates with method based practice, calming the mind through meditation to reveal the oneness that we are in our truest essence

jhana yoga

yoga of will and intellect

removes the veil of ignorance and forgetfulness through knowledge and reveals the truth that is unchanging in our hearts

what is the yogic diet

the yogic diet are called gunas, and are considered the different energies within the universe and have an effect on us and the matter around us

what type of energy is the yogic diet specifically

the yogic diet is a sattvic based diet

known as balanced, light, and pure

enhances meditation

cuts down on stimulants like alcohol, caffeine, and sugar

the vegetarian yogic diet

considered to be purifying in many streams of the yoga tradition, but is not mandatory

what are the 8 limbs of yoga

yama

niyama

asana

pranayama

pratyahara

dharana

dhayana

samadhi

yama

restraints, moral disciplines, or moral vows

refers to vows, disciplines, or practices primarily concerned with the world around us, and our interaction with it

BONUS QUESTION: what are the 5 yamas

ahimsa (non violence)

satya (truthfulness)

asteya (non stealing)

brahmacharya (right of energy)

aparigrana (non greed)

niyama

positive duties or observances

usually refers to duties directed toward ourselves, but can also be considered with our actions toward the outside world

BONUS QUESTION: what are the 5 niyamas

saucha (cleanliness/purity)

santocha (contentment)

tapas (discipline or burning desire)

svadhyaya (self study or reflection)

isvarapranidhana (surrender to a higher value)

asana

the physical aspect of yoga

the third step on the path of freedom, the posture should be steady and comfortable

pranayama

breathing technique

prana refers to “energy” or “life source”. describes the breath and by working with the way we breathe, we affect the mind

prathyahara

sense withdrawal

sights, sounds, and smells that we take in

(connected with dharana)

dharana

focused concentration

dharana and pratyahara are parts of the same aspect. to focus on something, the senses must withdraw so that all attention is put on the point of concentration and in order to draw our senses in, we must focus and concentrate identity

dhyana

meditative absorption

when we become completely absorbed in the focus of our meditation and linked to the object of concentration

samadhi

bless or enlightenment

after we’ve reorganized our relationships with the outside world and our own inner world, we come to the final state of bliss

not about floating away or being abundantly joyful, it’s about realizing the very life that lies in front of us