body discipline
Yoga dictionary. Prakriti
There is such a thing as Prakriti in the philosophy of the Sankhya school. The term is also mentioned in the Yoga sutras of Patanjali. Prakriti is considered to be the feminine aspect of the manifestation of the Universe, which in symbiosis with the masculine aspect of the Universe — Purusha — forms the universe.
Prakriti in Sanskrit means ’cause`, `matter`or ‘nature’. Prakriti is the primordial nature, the first principle of the world. When Prakriti is not influenced by the gunas, it remains in its original state. And the moment the gunas begin to affect Prakriti, the balance of the gunas is disturbed, and Prakriti begins to change — to take different forms and form the material world. Continue reading
Briefly about the main directions and types of yoga
Hatha Yoga is the yoga of the body. The word hatha consists of two syllables – ha and tha. The syllable ha means “the sun,” and the syllable tha means “the moon.” Hatha yoga is aimed at achieving harmony between the solar and lunar aspects of our existence – balancing Yin and Yang energy through work with the physical body and consciousness. This is a system of physical, respiratory and mental exercises, developed in ancient times by the sages of the Rishis as a means of rejuvenation, and for long practice in long meditations
Popular styles of hatha yoga today include:
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Founder of Sri Pattabhi Jois. This is a dynamic practice that will make you sweat with exert physical and mental strength. Asanas are performed in ligaments-sequences (vinyasas) together with breathing, energy locks (bandhas), concentration of sight and attention. Continue reading
