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Brief History of Yoga
Yoga has been around for over 5,000 years and is built on the concepts of exercise, breathing and meditation. However, it is important to note that Yoga is not a religion. It actually predates religions and was used as a way for a person to stay healthy and mentally balanced.
In Classical Yoga, there are eight steps or limbs involved in the teachings and practice.
- Yama - Literally meaning restraint, it is meant as a way of restraining from harm, violence, etc.
- Niyama - Literally meaning observence, it is meant as a way of teaching tolerance and purity
- Asana - Physically exercise
- Pranayama - Breathing and breathing techniques
- Pratyahara - The preperation for meditation
- Dharana - Concentration
- Dhyana - Meditation
- Samadhi - Understanding the self
Your reasons for practicing yoga may not fall into all of these 'limbs'. If you are intersted in yoga for the exercise and strength building, the meditation and concentration limbs won't be of as much interest to you, and that's ok. The health and spiritual benefits of yoga are vast, and one need not want to benefit from them ALL just to practice yoga!
Popular Styles of Yoga
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