Many people practice yoga, and in fact a lot of them are simply crazy about yoga. Most of these people do yoga to help them feel better and to keep in good physical shape. The different poses, or asanas help to promote a strong, healthy body. For most, though, yoga is simply a great way to relax and unwind. If you want to stay in shape and keep your stress levels down all at the same time, yoga is an excellent exercise option for you.

In addition to general, all around fitness, yoga has been found to fight common certain illnesses that plague our modern society. Research has shown that yoga helps control anxiety, blood pressure, back pain and stress. Further it has been found useful in reducing asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, epilepsy, diabetes, headaches, and much more as well.

The advantages to practicing yoga are numerous. Some people even find that yoga their self esteem receives a big boost from consistent yoga workouts. This gain in self confidence on the inside as well as the outside allows them to face the world with fewer worries and increased personal success.

While some people practice yoga to find enlightenment, others practice yoga primarily for the physical benefits it offers. Yoga works differently for different people and can bring spiritual, emotional, psychological, mental and physical health. Some people even get all of these benefits all at once.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that yoga is only for spiritual people. Even if you are not a religious or spiritual person, you can do yoga and gain a lot from it. Try finding a little time in your schedule to dedicate yourself to relaxing and rebuilding in the special way that only yoga can provide.

The many different types of yoga can be confusing. Each style or "branch" speaks to different issues, and is designed with specific methods in mind. Here, we discuss the many styles of Yoga.

Hatha yoga is one of six branches; the others include raja, karma, bhakti, jnana, and tantra yoga. Hatha is a combination of the two Sanskrit terms "ha" meaning sun and "tha" meaning moon. It is the precursor to Raja Yoga, and is considered a preparatory stage of physical purification leading to higher form of yoga meditation. Hatha Yoga is a holistic discipline and includes moral disciples, physical poses called asanas, different purification rituals breathing practices and meditation. In the West, Hatha yoga is mainly used for physical purposes.

Raja Yoga

Raja means "royal," and meditation is the focal point. This approach involves strict adherence to the eight "limbs" of yoga as put forth by Patanajli in the Yoga Sutras. Raja Yoga follow this order: ethical standards, or yama; self-discipline, or niyama; posture, or asana; breath extension or control, or pranayama; sensory withdrawal, or pratyahara; concentration, or dharana; meditation, or dhyana; and ecstasy or final liberation, called samadhi. Raja yoga is typically followed by religious orders and spiritual communities.

Karma Yoga

Karma yoga, or the path of service, proclaims that none of us can escape this path. The principle of karma yoga is that what we experience today is created by our actions in the past. It is believed that all of our present efforts become a way to consciously create a future that frees us from being bound by negativity and selfishness.
Karma yoga is not a physical effort, but is a lifestyle. When we do service in benefit of others, we are practicing karma yoga. Community volunteering, joining the Peace Corps, or any activity in service to others is considered to be karma yoga.
Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion, and is considered to be the yoga of the heart. Seeing the divine in all of creation, bhakti yoga is a positive way to channel your emotions. Through bhakti yoga, we are given an opportunity to cultivate acceptance and tolerance for everyone we come into contact with.
Jnana Yoga

Jnana yoga is the yoga of the mind and wisdom, and is the path of the sage or scholar. This branch requires development of the intellect through the study of the scriptures and texts of the yogic tradition. Jnana is considered the most difficult of the branches, but at the same time the most direct. It involves serious study and will appeal to those who are more intellectually inclined.
Tantra Yoga

Tantra yoga, the sixth branch, is the pathway of ritual, which includes consecrated sexuality. To be "consecrated" means to make sacred, or to set apart as something holy.
In tantric practice we seek the Divine in everything we do. A reverential attitude is cultivated, encouraging a ritualistic approach to life. Although tantra has become associated exclusively with sexual ritual, most tantric schools actually recommend a celibate lifestyle.

Yoga is like any other exercise activity - you need some basic equipment to begin practice. the good thing about yoga is that there is not really a lot of equipment that you need. Remember, yoga has its roots beginning hundreds of years ago. There were no specialized equipment needs then, and there are not a lot now.

The basic equipment needed is a good yoga mat. Don't scrimp here, because it really is your foundation to the floor. You want a mat that is "sticky" so that when you assume a pose, or asana, your feel or hands aren't slipping, thus leading to injury. Many mats are available today, and the prices range from $17.95 to as high as $57.95.

Clothing should be loose and allow for maximum flexibility. For women it is especially important that they wear clothing that doesn't ride up or is so baggy that they interfere with practice. Yoga is almost always practiced barefoot, so there is no need for fancy shoes. You may wish to consider the yoga toe socks that provide protection and allow for a more hygienic workout.

Other things used - but not essential - are a fitness ball and a yoga brick. the yoga brick allows you to maintain certain poses more effectively. the fitness ball helps you increase flexibility. Both of these items are relatively inexpensive.

Yoga is focused more on the spiritual and physical path than it is on the fancy equipment you think you need to own. Embrace the spirit of yoga, and use common sense in your purchases.

Namaste,

Charlie~