Yoga history

Question 1

What is Jnana yoga (ghiana)?

Answer 1

• path of wisdom • preaches attainment of knowledge and wisdom • path of the philosopher that wants to go beyond the visible universe

Question 2

Transubstantiation

Answer 2

How the practice of yoga is about transformation and change otherwise it is just exercise.

Question 3

What is Tantra yoga?

Answer 3

• path of ritualism and ceremony • Ritualistic practices as a means of purifying the mind

Question 4

What is vinyasa (4 points)?

Answer 4

• To arrange in a very special way
• Vinyasa Krama – wise progression
• Remove of obstacles as it cleanses us – physical, psychological, emotional and energetic

Question 5

What is Bhakti yoga?

Answer 5

• path of love and devotion • preaches to attain union with the almighty/universe, through love, devotion and prayer • a positive way to channel emotions and cultivate acceptance and tolerance

Question 6

What is Karma yoga?

Answer 6

• path of service • involves living an unselfish life, dedicated to humanity • All actions should have only one motive - to better human life on earth.

Question 7

What is yoga? (4 points)

Answer 7

• Union = uniting the mind, spirit and physical. Yoga = unitive spiritual discipline - Brings us back to our body
• Yoking of the individual to the universal (nature, god, oneness, love) - “yoga” = “to unite”. Fusion of body, mind and spirit through meditation, breathing and physical postures.
• Helps to improve health and happiness
• We want to feel more at ease, more joy, feel better, move away from suffering and have more joy
• Balance

Question 8

What is Hatha yoga?

Answer 8

• path of bodilt transformation • physical and mental branch designed to prime the body and mind • It means “wilful” or “forceful”. If interpreted in this way, Hatha Yoga can be described as the Yoga of activity. • “Ha” also means “sun, masculine” and “tha” means “moon, feminine”. If interpreted in this manner, Hatha Yoga is the Yoga of balance. • Involves practicing of vigorous Asanas and breathing exercises, to increase internal awareness and find mind-body balance.

Question 9

What are the 6 major branches of yoga?

Answer 9

• Raja • Jnana • Bhakti • Karma • Tantra • Hatha

Question 10

What are the reasons yoga is considered self-transformative (5 points)?

Answer 10

• Yoga is a process that involves confronting your limits and transcending them • Yoga involves a balance between control and surrender. You must learn to relax and enjoy the sensuality of the stretch but also learn how to push your edges and use control to generate energy. • The proper use of breath gets you out of your mind and into your body. Bringing a grace and sensuality to movement impossible when the mind is in control of the body. • The edge and playing with it. Not causing pain but about challenging yourself sufficiently. There are many edges to yoga and when you think you have hit your edge; you can breathe through it and find another. • Yoga brings opening and movement deep within every fibre of your being, and expands consciousness, enlarging your capacity for depth of communication. This self-transformation opens you to a more profound relationship with life, and also to an aware participating in the evolutionary process.

Question 11

What is Raja yoga?

Answer 11

• path of contemplation • “royal path” to attaining the state of yoga or unity with mind-body-spirit. • Involves meditation and strict adherence to a series of disciplinary steps known as the “eight limbs” of yoga to attain self-awareness, self-transformation and self-realization.  The eight steps are - yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and finally Samadhi.

Question 12

Samkyha philosophy - What is Purusha and Pakriti?

Answer 12

• Forming the dualistic component of Patanjali’s phiolosophy - believes there is a higher god that we cannot merge with
• At the creation of the universe
  
  • Starts with Purusha - unchanging energy. Always pervasive presence. unmanifested
  • Pakriti - part of Purusha - creative, changing energy that wants to be something. Evolved and ultimately evolved so we can know ourselves.
• Idea of yoga is bringing us back to being one with Purusha (not the overall god)
• Gunas come from Pakriti - energies that make up the universe
• Gunas stem off Mahad and Ahamkar from Pakriti
• Gunas do not influence Purusha