Origin of Yoga

Origin of Yoga 

The figure, found during archaeological excavations in the area Mogendzho-Daro in the Indus Valley, attracted the attention of scientists to the yogi, or, as it is called "proto-Shiva". This image Pashupati (from Sanskrit "lord of animals") is a figure sitting in the traditional yoga pose with legs crossed, resting, relaxed hands on his knees. I found the figure of sir John Marshall and his team - they are all sure that it is a prototype of the god Shiva, and describe her as a man with three faces, seated in a yogic pose with crossed feet. And yet, these thoughts are not quite co-operating with the modern academic concepts. 

In Indian philosophy, yoga is any of the six orthodox philosophical schools. Philosophical system of Yoga is closely connected with the school samkhi. Yogic school, as explained by Patanjali, adopted the philosophy and metaphysics samkhi, but by itself it is more theistic, adding to the twenty-five elements samkhi divine union. The parallels between yoga and samkhey so obvious that Max Muller said: "in a popular fashion statement, the two differ in both philosophy and with samkhya samkhya without the Divine. 

The founder of formal philosophy of yoga is considered the sage Patanjali. Despite the fact that he attributed to yoga sutras (which sometimes are called Yoga Sutras of Patanjali), some experts on Hinduism says that the work of Patanjali is a collection of fragments and traditions of texts dating from the second or third century AD. Other scientists lead a broader period of time, an exciting period from 100 BC 500 years BC 

Further development took place within the yoga of the Indian subcontinent for centuries. During this time, formed six major ways to achieve enlightenment and liberation from the shackles of the material world. Later, it spread in such a form is already in all countries of the East, which was closely associated with the practice of Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. In the seventeenth-eighteenth century, yoga has become one of the major practices in Tibet, as well as in Muslim countries. 

When India became a colony of Britain, some British scientists interested in issues of yoga. In the eighties of the nineteenth century, even the first note out of one of the British journalists, dedicated to yoga, but the spread of the new philosophy has not received. 

Only in the late nineteenth century, Vivekananda brought this philosophy to the United States and, later, Paramhansa Yogananda during visits to the United States and Europe, opened to the Western world that a system of understanding ourselves and the universe. Life of the great teachers of that time was reflected in the literature and studies of future generations. 

But its heyday teaching yoga reached only in the twentieth century, when everywhere began to open up educational and research centers. In India itself there are an infinite number of them, but the greatest authority enjoys yoga Cultural Center in New Delhi. 

Start the yogic path in Russia are traditionally tied to the seventy years of the last century, although the notion of "Agni Yoga" came within the teachings of the Roerich before the mid-twentieth century. This time, the assimilation of knowledge gained by those who spent many years in the cradle of yoga, with Russian realities, as a consequence, the resulting product was much different from the yogic philosophical schools of other countries. Distribution of yoga in Russia associated with names such as Boris Leonidovich Smirnov, Vasily V. Brody, Zubkov, Koltunov and many others.

Yoga - what does it consist?

Yoga - what does it consist? 

Classical yoga is divided into eight parts, each of which represents an element of mental, physical and spiritual exercises to achieve harmony. Four of the eight have to deal with mental and physical exercises that are designed to coordinate the mind and body. The remaining four are working with different degrees of meditation. There are six basic types of yoga, which are designed to achieve the same goal, but in different ways: Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Jnana, and Tantra. Hata Yoga is perhaps the most well-known system, it consists of about two hundred postures, movements and breathing techniques, which lead the body in order, making it healthy. The philosophy of yoga says that breathing is the most important engine of health, as breathing is the largest resource of prana or vital force. In hatha yoga uses pranayyama that in literary translation sounds like "breath control". Initially, hatha yoga was developed as a system that would make the body healthy so that people are not distracted by the problem of the body during spiritual self-improvement. 

There are several different schools of hatha yoga. The most numerous are the Iyengar Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. The first was founded B.K.S. Iyengar, who is considered one of the greatest innovators of the case. Here we use the techniques of hatha yoga, but his gaze is directed at them from a different angle. This type of training is good in the role of physical therapy, in addition are allowed to use additional devices to make it easier for people to take the necessary provisions. Ashtanga yoga is hatha yoga, is interpreted as a dance. 

In other types of yoga you can see the realization of other ideas that are typical for this practice. Raja yoga is for enlightenment and disciplining the mind through meditation. The idea of this philosophy lies in the simplicity and non-attachment to the world of desire and material objects. The focus of karma yoga put on charity, service to others, lack of aggression and violence as a means to achieve peace. Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion and love for God or a Universal Spirit. Jnana Yoga is the practice of knowledge and wisdom. And, finally, Tantra Yoga is the path to self-fulfillment through religious rituals. 

Some yoga classes, depending on the school and teachers can be as easy and quite time-consuming workouts. During the study pulse, heart rhythm and breathing may be slowed down so that observers believe that a man and not breathing. 

The greatest success can be achieved by practicing yoga daily. Yoga should be an exercise that lasts a lifetime. The longer a practitioner is engaged in self-improvement, the more conversant he becomes. Basic items can enhance strength, flexibility and good health for a very short period of time, but the years pass, to reach in this case the depth of perfection - that encourages many people during yoga practice. 

The best way to learn yoga under the guidance of an experienced teacher, but the basic aspects can be studied independently, based on the knowledge gained from books, which today can be found fairly good summary. Yoga can also act as a program of therapeutic value, but it is more typical for study abroad.

Detail Utthita Parshvakonasany

Utthita Parshvakonasana - "straight side corner. This position belongs to a variety of "standing" asanas with an assault, when one leg is straight and the other - toward which, indeed, do the exercise - is bent at right angles. In this upper part of thigh is strictly parallel to the floor, and the section legs from knee to ankle - perpendicular. Situation feet - standart. 

The trunk leans in the direction of attack, as if the same name lying sideways on the floor parallel to the surface of the thigh. Both blades are again leaning against a vertical surface, ie, chest plane deployed in the legs. Lower arm rests on the floor with his hand or fingers, being established outside of the foot, but not near the inner side of the foot. Bock, more or less regard to the legs of the same name, but in fact the degree of this contact depends on the length of hands, which have all individually. 

Attacks in this Asana, we must maintain an effort thigh bent legs. Those who have good joints and a good stretch the potential to evade the necessary work in this position, and they are carrying out an attack, fail, settle at the hip to the knee of an acute angle. This scheme is very similar to the posture required, but only for an inexperienced look. 

Muscles of the thigh legs, which is located in the attacks, while switched off, they generally stop working, the body "hangs" in the knee joint. Is a mistake. "Standing" postures are not in order to escape from the payload, but rather - to find the maximum force offered by this form and remain in it, completely disabling the nervous component of physical effort and the muscles that are in the process do not participate. 

In asanas, performed with an assault, there is one small, but sensible stratagem, which told during the seminar in Moscow in the late eighties Faek Biria. To load the muscles bent his legs felt so strongly and does not violate a state of consciousness, it is necessary to comply with the so-called "Hinch". If we have a look at the foot resting on the floor free legs, then it is obvious: where there is growth, more to the inner side markedly favor tendon, which then goes up on the tibia. "Hinch" - part of the tendon, its interval from the end of the lifting of the foot to the place where the leg becomes purely vertical. Actually, "Hinch" or "Inch" is nothing like "inch", which is about three centimeters in length referred to a segment of the tendon. 

And if we are to some tension up from the floor toe, then this section of the tendon is strained, as if becoming the "iron". Job thigh bent legs ceases to be felt, and then, subject to the "Hinch" may hold the asana with an assault and how to be completely effortless. But this does not mean that they disappeared and no longer affect the body and perception. If using "Hinch", overexposing asana, in which there is an attack, do not even get a sense of the breath go astray after you complete the pose, already at rest, so to use the technique to be mentioned is reasonable. 

A hand placed on top, pulled out and also with the wall along with the same name by the upper shoulder blade, is both a continuation of the line of the upper side. Should be turning his head up from under the hand to contemplate the ceiling. When I say "look at the ceiling or on the thumb, which is at the top" - this does not mean that we should go there to stare at whatever cost, twisting his neck and eyes, which, by the way, if possible, better to close. You just need to observe the position of the head with a rotation of its extent available, without appreciable voltage 

Contraindications to this position there but overall, contained in the chapter on "Asana". The effect is the same as that of the "triangle", with the only difference that the change ranges of the joints. Reverse the same version of this exercise gives an unforgettable experience for beginners and is called Parivritta Parsvakonasana - "flip-side angle posture".
The effect of the practice Utthita Parshvakonasany 

This asana tones up the ankles, knees and hips. It corrects the defect in the calves and thighs, the breast develops, reduces body fat in the waist and pelvis, removes sciatica and arthritis. Also increases intestinal peristalsis and facilitates defecation.

Utthita Parshvakonasany

1. Stand in .

2. On inspiration jump spread your legs to a distance of 120-130 cm Pull the hands apart. 

3. Turn right foot out at 90 °, and left a little inside. Squeeze your knees and hips. 

4. Bend right leg at the knee up until thigh and calf did not amount to a right angle. Right thigh - parallel to the floor, and lower leg - perpendicular. Inhale one or two times. 

5. Exhale and turn the body right. Put right hand on the floor beside the right foot. 

6. Pull the left hand over the ear, rotate the neck and look up. 

7. This final position. Breathe normally and stay in that position for 20-30 seconds, paying attention to the following points: 

(1) draw the inside of his right buttock to keep it in line with the outside of the right knee; 
(2) strain your quadriceps and stretch the hamstrings of the left leg; 
(3) draw the left armpit, biceps, wrist and elbow. The body of the left ankle to the left hand stiffly as a whole, so that no fluctuations; 
(4) Pull the scapula; rotate the left side of the torso up and back so that his chest was expanded and the back side of the body remained in the same plane. 

8. On the inhale raise your right hand from the floor and lift torso, keeping the right angle, right foot. Inhale. 

9. Inhale as you straighten your right knee and go into the situation. 

10. Repeat this same position in the left side, following all the instructions, but replacing the word "right" to "left".  

Special notes: 

(1) It is important to establish the correct distance between the legs, or a bent legs will not be the right angle. If the distance is too great, then we obtain an obtuse angle, and if it is too small, then the angle is acute. The distance should be chosen, respectively, the growth of man. When a posture is performed in the right direction, the distance is set by the left foot, which moves inside or push back, right foot in this case is fixed, and vice versa. Leg, which is already bent, for it is not used. 

(2) The left hand is facing the floor when you turn the left side up. 

(3) Beginners (if they have a lack of mobility) can keep on the floor of her fingertips.

Additional description Utthita Trikonasana

Initial position of the feet in this Asana requires special attention. The fact is that all people are different proportions of the limbs, this is added the difference in height and build. And the question immediately arises: what is in each case setting the width of the legs? Answer: The starting position in this position for any person to be so, when - leaning to one side with the spine, more or less parallel to the floor (in the thoracic part of it) - arm, dropped down perpendicularly, will be located in the middle segment of the knee to the ankle joints of the same name feet. Or you can say this: the hand touches the floor in the middle of the horizontal projection of the said segment. 

In contrast to the approach Iyengar yoga, where everything is done too abruptly, tear, quickly, I do not recommend a "standing" asanas to put legs to the starting position jump, nor would advise you to jump back to its original position. In fact, these Macropod manners in the classical practice, completely out of place. Sharp movements in addition initiate a consciousness, and the already overheated reality, and the challenge of yoga - to balance it, so all the movements during the transition from posture to posture should be unhurried, relaxed and soft that people are not leaping around, moving jerkily, like Pinocchio in a bad cartoon. 

So, let us turn to the formulation of the feet. In all positions, which are carried out "standing", the foot always oriented so that foot is feet, to which we bend (or in the direction which makes an attack, that is, bend the knee) was placed in the plane of the legs and torso, that is was directed sideways, parallel to the wall, if we stand back to her. The other foot is always formed with the first only an acute angle from 45 ° to about 70 *. During the execution of any "standing" posture soles of both feet must be held tightly to the floor, which is achieved not at once. 

Moreover, the School of Iyengar insists that they were pressed to the floor so close to the body weight distributed on the surface of each foot evenly, virtually no distinction in its individual sections. Only then will a certain point in the center of the foot, which they call "eye of God Burg, supposedly, will be closely in touch with a support surface that characterizes the necessary state and position of the feet. 

This, of course, "aerobatics", which I think only confusing for a beginner just have to resolve several mutually exclusive issues. In addition to keeping his feet in full contact with the floor in Utthita Trikonasane, legs should be straight in the knees and a cup of their sunken top. The trunk also went down to the side, located in a vertical plane, which you control for touch backs. 

All these endless details, petty, non-essential requirements and nuances of the system allow Iyengar yoga at least something to talk about asanas but bare description of their geometry which, especially in the "standing" postures, it is extremely easy and fast to remember. Of detail given here is important because attention should be involved in something to do with no real meaning on the one hand - and distracted from his search for the proposed, scanty indeed information - on the other. 

Typically, flexible middle-aged man, unfamiliar with yoga, very mediocre. Not only that by hand floor "Trikonasanah - an elusive goal, but also the knees drawn disgusting, and the torso turns, - what can I do? 

First: all the "standing" asanas should be performed, as I said, at the wall. Iyengar in 1989, said in a joking manner, but quite seriously, that the "standing" poses a wall - the best teacher, and here he is absolutely right. 

So, we camped in a vertical plane so that the foot is feet, to which we have gathered to bend, was at a distance of 10-15 cm from the wall and parallel to it. Then the heel of opposite foot - at the turn to the desired angle - will touch the wall. Setting foot in such a way to advance a certain width, I begin with an exhalation lower torso to one side, say - to the right. In this case, both shoulder blades do not lose contact with the wall, especially the upper left, which should not come off or an inch. 

It is so moving down until such time as no one in his ribs or resistance in the leg, which I omitted. As soon as the difficulty appeared and feel - no matter where! - Became apparent I must, pushing (which is convenient, but possibly vertically, not diagonally) with his right hand in his right leg the same (with shoulder blades pressed against the wall) and distributed on the part of her body weight, stay in a position to direct the knees and stretched string (but without too much stress!) feet - while the body is relaxed! The upper arm goes to the zenith, the bottom - the nadir. 

That is, although it rests on the leg or the floor, but perpendicular to the latter. At the same time I done it head to the left so that, without straining his neck to look at your left thumb, which is located at the top. In this position, I watch the breath in his nostrils, stomach completely relaxed. Again, pay attention to the above subtlety: if the legs are too relaxed, then any "standing" asana will be unstable. As adaptation to these postures should be phased out from the wall, firmly stand on its own feet. To control can only slightly touch her back, and then perform the asanas without any support and the support. 

On the other hand and foot strain is a mistake, leading to the fact that together with them in an unacceptable degree of "capture the" minds and the whole body, and it is not nothing but a spurious work that is entirely unnecessary and a hindrance to the faithful execution of postures and all practices in general. Therefore need to "catch" a sector of the intensity of the tension leg, so that they remain sufficiently rigid, immutable structure, and the torso and it was capable of the most relaxing, while in the belt, it can be freely bent or twisted. Thus we come to the polar nature of the load regime of the body: all working in Asana - strained only to the extent necessary, minimally, with no excesses, it is not involved - relaxed to such an extent as possible. 

In Utthita Trikonasanu should bend to exhale, to breathe freely and in a pose with the breath to rise to its original position so that the rate of flexion-extension not to shoot down the respiratory regularity and quiet. This requirement dictates a slow motion at the entrance of the posture and exit them. 

So - when bent, exhale, inhale free - and we again breathe normally, calmly, relaxed and at ease, but being in this position

Utthita Trikonasana

Formulation feet. Begin by determining the optimal distance for you feet. Foot should be comfortable and stable, but at the same time not put the feet too close to each other. Put your feet on the width of a little more than a meter, feet parallel to each other. Fully expand the right leg out: fingers and knees should look strictly to the right. 

Put the right heel on one line to the left. Then wrap the left foot inward at 15-20 degrees. Bend your right leg so that his knee was on the heel, then take a look at the right thigh - it should be parallel to the floor. If not, increase the distance between stops: leaving his right leg bent, promote the left foot away from the right, until the right thigh becomes parallel to the floor. Once again, straighten your right leg - this is your individual Utthita Trikonasana distance. If the leg muscles are not very elastic, and hip joints are mobile enough, you will be hard to hold the front thigh parallel to the floor without feeling tension in the legs, knees or lower back. In this case, the first time, put the foot closer to each other. 

Log in Asana. The first step towards development Utthity Trikonasana done, and we can move on. Take a brick and put it on the high line for the right foot. If you went into the pose, you feel that you can delete the palm below, change the position of bricks. 

Dilute hand in hand, parallel to the floor. Pull them intensively. Imagine that they are becoming longer with each exhalation. Tyanites crown upward, lengthening the spine. Firmly press the outer edge of the left foot to the floor. Lift the right side of the pelvis, removing it from his right thigh. Pull your knees. Take a deep breath, lowering his left hand on the waist, and move look at the fingertips of his right hand. On the exhale, slowly lower yourself to the right, making the slope of the hip joint and evenly extending both sides. 

Lower the right hand on the brick, firmly press his hand to him, but do not put weight on it body. Tyanites left hand up to the ceiling. Breathe deeply and calmly, watching the extended thorax and breathing becomes free. 

Starting master Utthita Trikonasanu, students often tend to bend down as low as possible, with the body moves forward, and the pelvis - back. To avoid this error, dropping, try to keep them in the same plane with the foot. 
 
Stay in Asan. Going into Utthita Trikonasanu, try to align the pose. Start with the stop: Make sure the pads of the thumb, the area under the little finger, inner and outer edge of half a dozen tightly pressed to the floor, weight distributed evenly between them, while the right foot is still tucked inside. Several times the tear off his toes from the floor and pull them forward - this will help to better understand feet and revitalize asana as a whole. Once again, firmly press the foot to the floor. Make sure that the kneecap looked exactly right for this actively deploy the right thigh outward. Draw the muscles of the upper thigh. 

Now will focus on the pelvis and abdomen: they should look strictly forward. This is not always easy, especially if the hip joints is not enough fluid. Point the right buttock and tail bone to the left heel and lift up the left side of the pelvis until the abdomen and thorax did not unfold exactly forward. Make sure that at this hip and knee right leg is not wrapped inside. You should not feel discomfort in his lower back. Do not "take the pose by storm" - within its capabilities. Not terrible, if not immediately be able to deploy the pelvis completely. 

Try to evenly pull both sides - do not compress the right and not to round the left. If achieved evenness fails, lower your hand to a higher support, such as a chair seat. With respect and love for your body and remember: do not pose becomes less effective if you do not bend very deeply. 

Actively pull hands - let them be like the rays emanating from the heart. Attach the shoulders of the head. The left hand should be directed straight up, do not let it deviate forward or backward. Deploy the chest to the ceiling and direct the breast to the chin. Starting to develop posture, looking forward, not up. Let look will be soft, and the mind - calm. Breathe evenly and deeply. Watch over your body: whether all parts of the body maintain the correct position? Feel like a traction in the body is formed space. 

Exit asanas. Asana Hold for 8-10 breaths, then exhale stronger push the left foot to the floor. For inspiration go up, the maximum pulling his left arm. Lower the palms on the waist and then expand to the position of the foot parallel to each other. Remove all power before perform the pose in the other direction. 

Vary posture. Perform regular Utthita Trikonasanu and do not be afraid to experiment: for example, change the distance mezhdustopami or deploy a basin under different angles. And, finally, from time to time Trikonasanu do, completely forgetting about the instructions. Suppose you send breath. Just abide in Asana, watching a feeling.

Subtleties performance Utthita Trikonasana

To enhance the effect of exercise in the terminal phase, you can move a little weight on the wrist at the bottom hand, and leaning it does not, create an additional force on the twisting of the spine, expanding the body in the plane perpendicular to the floor. 
Head as torso turns toward a raised their hands, asking the twisting of the spine. Thus meet the requirement of the hands of one vertical line and creates a large voltage at the base of the spine and hip joints of the feet. This spine does not hog up and straightened and perpendicular to the line connecting the highest points of the ilium of the pelvis. The upper and lower sides of the body are equally stretched, and the slope occurs mainly due to the lateral tilt of the pelvis. 
When performing asanas to feel the energy relationship between the palms of hands. 
At the top of the hand tends upward, stretching the chest. 
The duration of inhalation is equal to the length of exhalation, breath holding after exhalation is maximal. 
If the problem perform Utthity Trikonasana classic such as poor flexibility and / or balance, you can use a support (a chair or a wooden brick), as well as perform its standing against the wall. 
When the additional option Utthity Trikonasana very important to monitor the straightness of the same name with a slope of the legs, the knee should not to fall down. On learning the stage, to avoid injuries, people with good bend your knees to do with the slope of the bent leg. 

Contraindications: 
Trauma of the neck (not looking up) 
Low blood pressure 
Circulatory failure