5 periods of yoga Flashcards
what are the 5 periods
(a) Vedic Period, (b) PreClassical Period, (c) Classical Period, (d) Post-Classical Period, and (e) Yoga Today
Vedic Yoga
Vedas -
1st period of Yoga
Brahmanism (the basis of modern-day Hinduism).
scripture -collection of hymns,-praise a divine power.
oldest known Yogic teachings
-rituals and ceremonies,
strive to surpass limitations of the mind.
Rishis-
Vedic Yogis, taught how to live in divine harmony.
gifted with the ability to see the ultimate reality
thru intensive spiritual practice.
Yogis lived in seclusion (in forests).
Pre classical Yoga
Pre classical Yoga
2nd period of yoga
Starts w/ writing of the Upanishads
200 scriptures of
the Upanishads describe-
inner vision of reality
resulting from devotion to Brahman.
These explain three subjects:
(a) the ultimate reality (Brahman),
(b) the transcendental self (atman),
(c) and the relationship between the two.
In addition to Hinduism, yoga also contains Buddhist characteristics.
6th century B.C., the Buddha began teaching, the importance of meditation and physical postures.
Siddharta Gautama,
first Buddhist to study yoga, achieved enlightenment at 35 yo
Later, the Lord’s Song was created, and this is currently the oldest known yoga scripture.
It is devoted entirely to yoga and has confirmed that it has been an old practice for some time.
However, it doesn’t point to a specific time in which yoga began.
Classical Yoga Period
Classical Yoga Period
3rd period of yoga
marked by another creation—the Yoga Sutra,
written by Patanjali around the 2nd century
to define and standardize Classical Yoga.
195 sutras (from the Sanskrit word which means “thread”) that refer
to Raja Yoga and its underlying principle, Patanjali’s Eightfold Path of Yoga, also known as
the “Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga.”
Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga:
- Yama: social restraints or ethical values
- Niyama: personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study
- Asanas: physical poses/exercises
- Pranayama: breath control
- Pratyahara: sense withdrawal in preparation for meditation
- Dharana: concentration
- Dhyana: meditation
- Samadhi: ecstasy
Patanjali’s concept was that some Yogis focused exclusively on meditation and neglected
their “Asanas” (physical poses).
Later it was believed that the body is a temple, and attention
to the importance of the Asana was revived.
It was during the Classical Yoga Period that
Yogis attempted to practice yoga physically to change their bodies and to focus more on the
physical benefits of yoga.
Post-Classical Yoga Period
Post-Classical Yoga Period
4th period of yoga
Post-Classical Yoga differs from the first three since its focus is more on the present.
It no
longer strives to liberate a person from reality.
Instead,-accept reality and live in the moment.
Yoga was introduced in the West during the early 19th century.
It
was first studied as part of Eastern Philosophy, and began as a movement for health and vegetarianism around the 1930s.
During the 1950s, one of the foremost yoga teachers of his time,
Selvarajan Yesudian, wrote the book “Sport and Yoga,” which entered the world of sports.
This book has been translated into more than fourteen languages, and has sold more than half
a million copies.
Today, many athletes and sports teams have incorporated yoga in their training to reduce the risk of injury and to increase muscular strength and endurance.
In 1961,
Hatha Yoga (the most common style in the US) was introduced on American television by
Richard Hittleman.
By the 1960s, there was an influx of Indian teachers who expounded on
yoga.
Yogi Maharishi Mahesh taught yoga to the famous pop stars in the Beatles.
Another
prominent yoga guru, Swami Sivananda, a doctor in Malaysia, opened yoga schools in America and Europe.
It was Sivananda who modified the “Five Principles of Yoga” which are as
follows.
- Savasana or proper relaxation
- Asanas or proper exercise
- Pranayama or proper breathing
- Sattvic (vegetarian) or proper diet
- Dhyana or positive thinking and meditation
Sivananda wrote more than 200 books on yoga and philosophy.
He also had many disciples
who furthered yoga practice:
Swami Satchitananda-
introduced yoga to Woodstock,
Swami Sivananda Radha-
studied the connection between yoga and psychology,
Yogi Bhajan-
began teaching Kundalini Yoga in the 1970s.
Indra Devi (Russian),
“the First Lady of Yoga,” opened a yoga studio in Hollywood in 1947.
She taught
movie stars such as Gloria Swanson, Jennifer Jones, and Robert Ryan, as well as trained hundreds of yoga instructors.
During the 1960s and 1970s, yoga became a way of life for many
people living in the United States.
Yoga Today
yoga- 5th period of yoga
30+ million people practice yoga on a regular basis.
Although yoga has existed for thousands
of years, it is considered the most rapidly growing health movement of today.
Attitudes toward health, spirituality, way of life, and society have changed dramatically.
People are looking for answers to their everyday problems.
In these chaotic times, people are fighting for
survival and suffering more and more from physical and psychological stress, which can increase their chances of illnesses and diseases.
Although we can’t always control the developments and stress life has to offer, we can learn to face them through the practice of yoga.
Yogas of today are:
Hatha
Kripalu
Iyengar
Vinyasa
Anusara
Power
Jivamukti
Astanga
Bikram
Kripalu Yoga
The Kripalu Yoga practice:
physical postures,
breathing techniques,
deep relaxation,
meditation.
The style links mind, body, and energy, and is a form of self-healing.
Stress, illness, disease, fatigue, and emotional instability can cause disturbances within the
body resulting in a blockage in the flow of energy.
Kripalu Yoga teaches you
self-empowerment and
internal healing
to release stress, pain, and unconscious resistance within the body
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga
focuses on three primary aspects:
(a) technique,
(b) sequence, and
(c) timing.
Correct body alignment is crucial, as it allows the body to develop anatomically correct
to potentially reduce the risk of injury.
Props, such as blocks, blankets, chairs, and belts are
used to adjust and/or support the body in various postures to ensure a safe and effective range
of motion.
Sequencing is important, as postures complement each other both physically and
mentally.
Moving in and out of postures slowly, in a timely manner, and holding static postures for a considerable length of time allows for greater effects and benefits.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa defined as “breath-synchronized movement” is a term that covers a broad range of
yoga styles.
Although all Vinyasa classes include poses that flow with movement (similar to
dance), depending on each instructor, the classes may be different.
Typically, class participants will inhale in one pose and then exhale as they flow smoothly into the next pose.
Poses are rarely held in a Vinyasa style class.
Anusara Yoga
Anusara Yoga is considered a “friendly” style of yoga.
The practice focuses on building
and empowering self-esteem.
All Anusara poses are expressed from the inside of the body to the outside of the body.
Anusara Yoga is designed for participants of all ages and levels.
Each participant works within his/her own ability
Power Yoga
Power Yoga became popular in the West in the mid 1990s.
Power Yoga is a general term
used to describe a strenuous, fitness-based Vinyasa (flowing) style of yoga.
The style is similar to Ashtanga Yoga, as Power Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga both focus on increasing strength
and flexibility.
However, the two styles are different.
Power Yoga does not consist of a set series of poses.
Therefore, the poses and sequencing may vary with each instructor.
Power Yoga is quite popular in fitness clubs, and is known as a “workout.”
Jivamukti Yoga
Jivamukti Yoga emerged in New York in 1984.
Jivamukti means “liberation while living.”
The emphasis is on applying yoga to daily activities.
The poses are sequenced in a Vinyasa
(flowing) style, and the style is physically intense.
The poses are strenuous and the heart rate
is elevated.
Ashtanga (also spelled Astanga)
Ashtanga (also spelled Astanga) refers to the eight limbs of yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga is a set
series of 75 poses performed in a Vinyasa (flowing) style, which takes approximately 1 1/2–2
hours to complete.
There are six series total, and participants advance to the next series once
they have mastered the preceding series.
Ashtanga Yoga is a vigorous, athletic style of practice.
Bikram Yoga,
Bikram Yoga,
also known as “Hot Yoga,” is a series of yoga poses performed in a heated
room, typically 95–100°.
The poses are performed in a Vinyasa (flowing) style, and the style
is vigorous.
The focus is to create body heat so that you can move in and out of positions
with ease and increase flexibility
continuum of Hatha Yoga styles (easy to rigourous)
Kripalu, Iyengar, Vinyasa, Anusara, Power, Jivamukti, Astanga, Bikram
8 Limbs of classical yoga-
- Yama: social restraints or ethical values
- Niyama: personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study
- Asanas: physical poses/exercises
- Pranayama: breath control
- Pratyahara: sense withdrawal in preparation for meditation
- Dharana: concentration
- Dhyana: meditation
- Samadhi: ecstasy
blood circulation benefits
Yoga may improve blood circulation by increasing red blood cells.
cholesterol and triglycerides levels benefits
Yoga has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
respiratory rate benefits
The combination of controlled breathing and relaxation techniques associated with
practicing Yoga may decrease the respiratory rate.
lung capacity benefits
For some, lung capacity improves due to the deep, mindful breathing used in
yoga
Internal Organs benefits
Several yoga postures are known to massage internal organs.
gastrointestinal functions benefits
Yoga has been shown to improve gastrointestinal functions.
Immunue system/lymphatic system benefits
The immune system may be strengthened due to the specific movements involved
in yoga that are particularly well-suited for getting the lymphatic system flowing.
The lymphatic system boosts immunity and reduces toxins in the body.
Immunity & antioxidant benefits
Yoga may increase vitamin C levels in the body, which also helps boost immunity,
and is a powerful antioxidant.
Metabolism & hormone benefits
Certain yoga poses are believed to improve metabolism while regulating and controlling hormone secretion
Balance & core muscle benefits
Yoga improves overall balance by strengthening the core muscles.
depth perception
Yoga has been shown to improve depth perception by helping practitioners become aware of their body and how it moves.
eye-hand coordination
Yoga may maintain and/or improve eye-hand coordination, which has been
shown to decrease without practice
