Yoga is an ancient system of philosophy and practice that developed in India over thousands of years. In the Upanisads, ancient Indian scriptures, it is said, meaningfully, “This human body is the vehicle of the soul and the human senses are first like wild animals. They must be bundled and controlled so that man can reach self-realization with his vehicle.” It is therefore not surprising that the Indian term “yoga” is closely related to the German term “Joch”. Through English colonial officials the yoga philosophy came to Europe, they made it known first in England and later in the rest of Europe. Yoga is a generic term for a whole bundle of yoga exercises, methods and techniques that have a common goal: The liberation of man from suffering (duhka).
Hatha yoga
Probably the best known part of yoga is hatha yoga. It includes body-oriented practices, such as yoga postures called asanas, breathing exercises (pranayama) and deep relaxation techniques. However, advice for a healthy lifestyle and for a vegetarian whole food diet can also be found in this form of yoga.
The asanas, the yoga postures, gently develop muscle strength, flexibility and body awareness. By calmly holding the various postures, blocked life energy is to be made to flow again, inner healing powers are activated and the internal organs are better supplied with blood.
The breathing exercises, on the other hand, which are also part of Hatha Yoga, can help the practitioner to return to natural breathing. The background to this is the fact that due to stress, tension and incorrect posture, many people breathe too shallowly and thereby take in too little oxygen. These breathing exercises are also intended to overcome stage fright, unwarranted anxiety and irritability, among other things.
Deep relaxation is another important part of Hatha Yoga. Complete relaxation does not come by itself. Through Hatha Yoga, relaxation can be learned patiently and systematically. In the process, relaxation not only restores mental strength and calmness, but also aims to reduce stress hormones, strengthen the immune system and promote healing processes.
Not all yoga is the same
In addition to Hatha Yoga, there are quite a few other types of yoga, including the more spiritual Raja Yoga and the more emotional Bhakti Yoga, as well as yoga forms such as the spiritual Jnana Yoga or Karma Yoga, the yoga of social responsibility.
- Raja Yoga includes mental training and meditation techniques.
- Bhakti Yoga is the part of yoga that teaches devotion and love for God.
- Jnana yoga is the more philosophical part of yoga, which explains karma and R eincarnation and offers meditation techniques to find the truth within oneself.
- Karma yoga is the yoga of action. It teaches to understand fate as an opportunity and helps to transcend the limitations of one’s ego and feel one with all beings.
- Other forms of yoga are: Kundalini Yoga, Hormone Yoga (also: Hormonyoga), Marma Yoga or Kriya Yoga.
Yoga is offered at most adult education centers and many adult education institutions.
