Yoga and Dreams
Yoga and dreams
have multitudes of common threads. Studying either symbolizes a desire
to learn the nature of the self. Because dreams can be so contemplative,
studying some form of Yoga can only enhance your ability to understand
your dreams. By bringing the body, mind, and spirit to a higher state
of health, the psyche can then bring deeper insights to the surface.
Learning of the self and of human nature can help carry compassion to
those around us. Yoga means "union" or "yoked."
The Yoga
Sutras of Pantajili
This is the most
ancient text that is dedicated to Yoga. This dates back to 500 B.C.
and maybe even earlier. Not only is this text very old, but it is wisdom
packed. This is a good starting place for anyone interested in the philosophy
of Yoga. Even if one is only hoping to be familiar with some of the
poses and stretches that Hatha Yoga offers, it still does not hurt to
browse through the Sutras to get a basic idea of the system.
These were originally
something that was kept as an oral tradition until generations later
when they were written down. There are many translations of these Sutras.
These can be found easily online if you do a search. Try looking at
several translations and use the one that works for you.
The
Four Paths of Yoga
Raja Yoga
This is also called
classical Yoga or Astanga Yoga. The meaning of Raja is royal or king.
So it is considered to be the "royal path." The Yoga Sutras
describe the eight limbs of Yoga that construct this path. The eight
limbs of Yoga are: 1. Yama (abstinence) 2. Niyama (observance) 3. Asana
(posture) 4. Pranayama (breath control) 5. Pratyahara (sense control)
6. Dharana (concentration) 7. Dhyana (meditation) 8. Samadhi (contemplation,
absorption, or super conscious state.)
It is believed
that by practicing these eight limbs freedom will be attained.
Bhakti Yoga
Union with the
Divine. The literal interpretation of Bhakti is devotion. Complete and
total dedication to Love is how this devotion is accomplished. Offering
all actions, gifts, and energies to the Lord. This can very easily be
the simplest of yogic paths. The concept is of Love and devotion. Chapter
12 from the Bhagavad Gita can be helpful in understanding this Yoga.
Karma Yoga
Action. Reaction.
Stop there and think about that. Action and reaction. Doing good actions
with no expectation of a reward is the main concept here. It is acting
without being the actor. All actions will continue to happen anyway.
When one is detached from the results of these actions, no Karma is
accumulated and freedom is attained. The Bhagavad Gita chapters
4 and 5 are helpful for a further understanding of this Yoga.
Jnana Yoga
This is the Yoga
of wisdom or knowledge. Learning the nature of the self or consciousness
is a good way to put it. This can be practiced by either Scriptural
revelation, meditation investigating the mind, or a combination of both.
This Yoga can also be associated with Advaita
Vedanta, which is non-dualism or discovering that the self is the
same as Brahman. This is done by meditation and contemplating the thoughts
that flow into the mind.
Other
Yoga Branches
Hatha Yoga
This is what many
people think of when the word Yoga is mentioned. It consists of poses,
breathing techniques, and sometimes chants depending on the particular
school. This is best practiced with a qualified instructor. The idea
is that through these poses, one can prepare for some of the higher
forms of Yoga. Hatha means sun (ha) and moon(tha). The word symbolizes
the positive and negative forces in the body, or having a balance of
organic and strength related energy. Hath
Yoga Pradipika is the text dedicated to Hatha Yoga.
I suggest visiting
different Yoga schools to find an instructor that is compatible with
your needs.
Kundalini
Yoga
Kundalini means
curl of the lock of hair of the beloved. It is a metaphor to that of
energy and consciousness. This energy is located at the base of the
spine. When awakened, the Kundalini rises through the central column
and to the top of the skull where the pineal gland is activated. This
is what is believed to be the master gland. By doing this, major changes
in consciousness take place. Kundalini is also a method used to activate
the seven chakras or wheels located at various positions on the spine
and at the crown of the head.
Yogi Bhajan (1929
to 2004) is who brought this Yoga to the West in 1969. Before then,
it was a secret tradition that had been passed down from master to disciple
for centuries prior to the first mention of Kundalini in the Upanishads.
The Yoga Kundalini
Upanisad is a good place to start getting an ancient overview of the
system.
http://www.3ho.org/
is a good place to learn from if you are interested in pursuing this
branch of Yoga.
Kriya Yoga
There are many
Gurus in the lineage of Kriya Yoga. God revealed this Yoga to Vivashwan,
who taught it to Manu that taught it to another and so on. It is the
same Yoga that was taught by Krishna to Arjuna. Some believe it to be
the original Yoga, although that can be said about many of the branches.
The concept is that Kriya is the Love inside coming from God. Babaji
is one of the Gurus who has been part of this system and is believed
to be thousands of years old and still living. Paramahamsa Yogananda
is who brought this style of Yoga to the West in 1920. He is the author
of Autobiography
of a Yogi;a good starting point for those interested in learning
more about Kriya Yoga.
Ayuvedic
Yoga
