Health and Fitness -- Yoga

Yoga ) is a group of ancient spiritual practices originating in India. According to Gavin Flood, Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies^[1] it has been defined as referring to "technologies or disciplines of asceticism and meditation which are thought to lead to spiritual experience and profound understanding or insight into the nature of existence."^[2] Yoga is also intimately connected to the religious beliefs and practices of the other Indian religions.

Outside India, Yoga is mostly associated with the practice of asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga or as a form of exercise, although it has influenced the entire Indian religions family and other spiritual practices throughout the world.^[3]

Hindu texts discussing different aspects of yoga include the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita, and many others.^[3]^[4]

Major branches of Yoga include: Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga Raja Yoga, established by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as Yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is one of the six orthodox schools of thought... Source: Wikipedia.com

Selected Sites:

ABC of Yoga - Information and news resource featuring articles on various aspects of Yoga.
Advanced Yoga Practices - Lessons in the different aspects of Yoga.
Allexperts Yoga Q&A - People with varying amounts of yoga experience offer to answer questions about yoga.
American Yoga Association - Not-for-profit educational organization. Site includes information on the philosophy and techniques of yoga, classes, books and tapes for sale.
Ananda's Site - Thoughts on various aspects and branches of yoga, brief biographies of several spiritual leaders.
Anusara Yoga - A system based on Hatha Yoga founded by John Friend. Information on the Yoga, its philosophy, teachers, and centers.
Asana Postures - Explains the types, classification, and best times to practise these positions.
Beliefnet: Yoga - Essays and articles about yoga.
Eight Lectures on Yoga by Aleister Crowley - Transcripts of eight one-hour lectures on the subject of Yoga, including theories, practices, and his experiences. Consists of two sections: Yoga for Yahoos and Yoga for Yellowbellies.
Evolution of the Divine Living - An e-book based on the works of Sri Aurobindo, Mirra Alfassa and Ilse Middendorf.
Focal Point Yoga - Yoga instructor provides information on yoga philosophy, styles, practices and life styles, practical advice on choosing a yoga teacher. Also provides Massachusetts class schedules, merchandise for sale, links to other sites.
Heavenly Gardens - Offering free online books concerning meditation, spirituality and literature.
Holisticonline: Yoga Infocenter - Information about yoga in an easy to understand format with recommendations for beginning practice.
International Yoga Dictionary - Contains 2800 basic terms and extensive articles. This Encyclopedia compilation is based on classical works on Yoga with entries in English, Russian, Bulgarian, German, and French.
Internet Yoga - A collection of articles, books, transcripts, and recordings about Yoga.
Introduction to Yoga - Overview of the history, origins, benefits and practice of Yoga. From the IndiaExpress newspaper.
Introduction to Yoga - Brief articles on Yoga, its definition and nature, school of thoughts, scientific method, and practice.
Laya Yoga - Laya Yoga is a practical art of meditation and contemplation based on the ancient knowledge relating to chakras (energy centres). Information on the concepts and practice.
Manoyoga: Somanatha Kshetram - Information on the system of Yoga developed by Sri Swami Somanatha Maharshi. Includes details of the centers in U.S.A
Nothing But Yoga - Brief information on the different Yoga styles.
Orlov Yoga - English translations of lectures by Vladimir Ivanovich Orlov on Yoga and religious mysticism.
Samkhya Yoga - Features articles on Samkhya Yoga and related darsanas, translations, and excerpts from the online Encyclopedia of Yoga authored by Georg Feuerstein.
Santosha - Includes information on Yoga philosophy, and the practice and benefits of postures, meditation and breathing.
Satyananda Yoga - A system of yoga developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and his lineage, which incorporates practices derived from ancient and traditional sources.
The Seven Bodies - The seven levels of consciousness are described.
So You Wanna Learn the Basics of Yoga - General information about the types of Yoga and the author's opinion on what Yoga is.
Time: The Power Of Yoga - An article from Time magazine about Yoga in general.
Wellness for Body and Soul - Extensive reference site focuses on yoga philosophy (primarily Kriya), masters and practices. Also offers free yoga software, teacher directory, links to a wide range of resources, books and videos for sale.
Wisdom of Yoga - Information on all schools of Yoga and some of the teachers.
A World of Yoga - Site by Ramakrishna Ananda (Graham Ledgerwood) provides overviews to many aspects of Yoga and its practice.
Yoga Age - Articles on Yoga and translations of Yoga sutras. Includes writings on Asanas, Kriyas and Pranayama.
Yoga Directory - A large yoga resource site with links to teachers, centers, organizations, books, music, therapists, health products, retreats, vacations, personals, and traditions.
Yoga for Beginners - Information for beginning Yoga practitioners including a list of books, tapes, and websites.
Yoga Forums - Forum for discussion about Yoga.
Yoga Movement - An exploration of yoga and related subjects such as breathing and meditation.
Yoga Online - Offers information on the practice of yoga. Includes free yoga video downloads and uses flash animation to show yoga moves.
The Yoga Site - Online yoga resource center featuring a free teacher directory, posture information, Yoga therapy report, style guide, facts, retreats, books and links.
Yoga Supersite on Holisticonline.com - Yoga reference covers branches and philosophy, health benefits, practices, beginner's guide.
Yoga Teaching Forum - A forum resource for students undertaking Yoga teachers training.
The Yoga Vasistha - Excerpts from Swami Venkatesananda's translation of Vasistha's Yoga.
Yoga Vidya Dham: Nasik, India - A non profit organization imparting Yoga education to all sections of the society. Articles on Yoga and schedule of courses conducted.
Yogabasics.com - Introduction to Yoga history and practice (asanas and pranayama), downloadable music, teacher finder, products for sale. [May not work in some browsers]
Yoga.net - Articles about Yoga and links to international and Australian Yoga teachers.

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