• YOGA: means “to unite”, “to yoke” - it is union of the individual soul with the universal consciousness, with the universe; but also the union of body, mind and spirit

• There are 4 main paths of yoga:

Karma Yoga: yoga of action, spiritual path of selfless service

Bhakti Yoga: the yogic path of devotion

Jnana Yoga: the yogic path of knowledge, study of Vedanta philosophy, yogic scriptures

Raja Yoga: The science of physical and mental control, also called the “Royal Path”. It offers a comprehensive method for controlling the waves of thought by turning our mental and physical energy into spiritual energy. It provides 8 limbs leading to absolute mental control:

Yama, Niyama (restraints and observances), Asana (steady posture), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (super conscious state)

The chief practice of Raja Yoga is meditation. It also includes all other methods which help to control body, energy, senses, and mind. The Hatha yogi uses relaxation and other practices such as yama, niyama, mudra, bandhas, kriyas, pranayama, etc, to gain control of the physical body and the subtle life force called prana. When body and energy are under control, meditation comes naturally. The scripture of Raja Yoga are the Yoga sutras of Patanjali

• HATHA YOGA:

is the branch of Yoga giving first attention to the physical body which is a vehicle to the spirit - the main scripture dealing with Hatha Yoga is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (written between 6^th and 15^th century AD) Hatha Yoga is only a mean, a preparation, a purification process to be able to achieve a steady sitting posture for meditation.

HathaYoga is not separate from Raja Yoga. Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga are the necessary counterparts of each other. Hatha Yoga relates to the physical body, and is considered a necessary foundation for Raja Yoga

HA: means Sun (masculine energy) - life energy

THA: means Moon (feminine energy) - mental energy

This is symbolic of the twin energy forces which exist in everything

PRANA: Life energy, vital energy, the life force

In the yoga tradition taught from Swami Sivananda's lineage, the practice of Hatha Yoga is synthesized into the following 5 points:

1. Proper Exercise (Asana)

2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)

3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana)

4. Proper Diet

5. Positive Thinking (Vedanta) and Meditation (Dhyana)

• Yamas and Niyamas:

They are the foundation of our yoga practice, please read overleaf.

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