20081113 Yoga 21s Lic

The science of human behaviourby which a separate human consciousness

can become progressively more awareof its true nature, and

in the end can enjoy union with all that is summarized by the word

~ e. a. Gardner

Yoga is a science.Yoga is a practical science.

Yoga is a psychological science.Yoga is a practical and personal science.

Yoga is a progressive science.Yoga is a spiritual science.

Yoga is the meanswhereby we may break through

the limitations of the everyday consciousness and

reach a state of serenity within andharmony without.

Yoga discipline is nothing morethan the purification of

the body, mind and soul, and preparing them for the beatific vision.

~ S. Radhakrishnan

HATHA YOGA:

THE WITHDRAWAL OF CONSCIOUSNESSFROM THE OUTER WORLD OF SENSES

MAY BE ACHIEVED BY CONTROL OF THE PHYSICAL BODY

IN ORDER TO OPEN IT TO THE COSMIC ENERGYBY BREATHING AND PHYSICAL EXERCISES

LAYA OR KUNDALINI YOGA:

BY CONCENTRATING ON THE PSYCHIC CENTRES

TO AWAKEN THE PRIMORDIAL COSMIC ENERGY

OF THE INDIVIDUAL

MANTRA YOGA:

BY MAKING USE OF THE REPETITION OF CERTAIN WORDS AND PHRASES

TO STEADY THE MIND

JNANA YOGA:

BY WORKING FROM THE CENTRETO THE PERIPHERY

TO EFFECT UNION OFHIGHER AND LOWER

BY THE CONTROL OF THOUGHT

BHAKTI YOGA:

BY CONTROL OF ONE’S EMOTIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

THROUGH DEVOTION TO AN IDEAL

KARMA YOGA:

BY CONTROL OF ONE’S ACTIONSFROM NON-SELFISH MOTIVES

RAJA YOGA:

EMBRACES ALL SIX YOGASMENTIONED ABOVE.

SELF-TRANSFORMATION,FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF

UNION WITH THE REAL, THE ETERNAL.

RAJA YOGA DEVELOPS WILL THROUGHCONCENTRATION AND MEDITATIONBY TURNING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

TO BE IN HARMONY WITHHIGHER VIBRATIONS.

1.YAMA ~ SELF-RESTRAINT2.NIYAMA ~ SELF-DISCIPLINE

3.ASANA ~ POSTURE4.PRANAYAMA ~ CONTROL OF BREATH

5.PRATYAHARA ~ CONTROL OF THE SENSES6.DHARANA ~ CONCENTRATION

7.DHYANA ~ MEDITATION8.SAMADHI ~ CONTEMPLATION

YAMA AND NIYAMA ~ THE FIRST TWO STAGES ARE ESSENTIAL PRELIMINARY PREPARATION ORREQUIREMENTSAND DEAL WITH MORALITY AND ETHICS.

ASANA, PRANAYAMA AND PRATYAHARA ~ THE NEXT THREE STAGES ARE CONCERNED WITH THE DISCIPLINE OF THE BODY AND THE SENSES.

THE FIRST FIVE STAGES CONSTITUTETHE EXTERNAL PREPARATION ~ BAHIRANGA.

DHARANA, DHYANA AND SAMADHI ~ THE LAST THREE STAGES ARE INTERNAL ~ ANTARANGA, AND COVERS ALL ASPECTS OF MIND CONTROL.