Yoga is one of the most ancient cultural heritage of India. The word yoga in Sanskrit means "to unite", and so yoga can be said to connote a unitive discipline. In this sense it is an exercise in moral and mental cultivation that generates good health , contributes to longevity, and the total intrinsic discipline culminates into positive and perennial happiness and peace. Therefore, yoga is the said to be indispensable of the ultimate accomplishment in life. It is a science that affects not only the conscious self but the subconscious as well. It is a practical physiological training , which if practiced can exalt man to the 'supra mundane level'.

	Benefits of Yoga
	Brings balance and harmony to the body, mind and spirit.
	Helps with strength, flexibility range of motion and balance
	Calms the mind, Reduces stress and anxiety
	Revitalizes the body and mind
	Slows heart rate
	Lowers blood pressure
	Increases circulation
	Strengthens and tones muscles
	Helps to detoxify system
	Improves function of internal organs
	Balances muscular system
	Increases metabolism and energy
	Can help reduce depression, stress and insomnia

Type of Yoga

There are many different types of yoga, and it is important to choose a form that is appropriate for each individual's level of fitness, goals, and medical condition. Some of the most popular and widely available forms are briefly explained below.

Iyengar yoga

This type of yoga focuses on proper alignment and precise movements. Props such as blocks or straps are often used as part of Iyengar yoga for those who are not as flexible or to compensate for injuries. Because of this attention to detail and the modification of poses, Iyengar yoga is often a good form of yoga for people with back pain or neck pain, as they are likely to benefit from modification to the poses.

Ashtanga yoga

This form is commonly called "power yoga" because it focuses on powerful flowing movements, such as push-ups and lunges, which take strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga may be appropriate for those who have successfully rehabilitated from a back injury and are looking for a more strenuous practice, and people who are already athletic, such as runners and cyclists, who want to add flexibility, balance and concentration to their exercise routines.

Bikram yoga

This form is also known as "hot yoga" because it is done in a very warm room. Bikram yoga is excellent for increasing flexibility because the heat helps tissues to stretch. This type of yoga is not appropriate for those with cardiovascular disease because of the strain placed on the body when vigorously exercising in the heat.

Viniyoga

This form links breath and movement in flowing exercises that are adapted to each individual. Viniyoga is often a good form of yoga for those with back problems or neck problems because it is easily adapted for each person.

Viniyoga has a more relaxed approach to placement of the body than Iyengar Yoga. For example, knees and elbow might be bent in a posture and emphasis placed on lengthening the spine.

Viniyoga has a much less vigorous pace than Ashtanga or Power Yoga.

  Special and Advanced Yogic Techniques

Yoga Nidra - for total relaxation
Yoga Nidra is a unique Psychic development technique. Yoganidra is at the root of a great number of relaxation techniques. Yoganidra is a sleep without sleep.

It is also a powerful tool of personal transformation allowing us to free ourselves from the grip of negative thinking to make up for the lack of sleep, to boost our energies in case of nervous fatigue and to release our capacities for concentration and memorization. Doctors, Psychologists and educators will derive numerous benefits from the fantastic resources of yoganidra.

Procedure- Shavasana Position, Relaxation of the muscles by rotation of consciousness, Breath awareness and resolution, opposite feelings Image visualization, Returning to Shavasana

Vipassadhana - for perfect equilibrium
Vipassadhana is based on Vipassana Meditation, where one moves his awareness from top to bottom and from bottom to top witnessing all the sensations but without reacting to any kind of sensation. Sensation may be painful or pleasurable one should be indifferent as nothing is permanent in nature.

Procedure- Shavasana / Meditative posture, Breath awareness, Resolution, Rotation of consciousness being indifferent to the sensation, Breath awareness, Returning to normalcy.

Cyclic Meditation - to experience bliss
Based on the principle of stimulation - relaxation combined, enunciated in Mandukyopanished. The cyclic meditation brings very deep relaxation and a feeling of well being to one and all.

Much easier to perform, combine the asanas, breathing rhythms with expanding awareness, sensitization, deep relaxation and body apartness(witness)

Procedure- Shavasana-Prayer, Getting up from left, centering, Parshva chakrasana, Pada Hasthasana- 'Mmm' chanting, Ardhachakrasana- 'Aaa" chanting, sitting & lying on back without hand support, Deep relaxation- body apartness.

Pranic Energization Technique - to strengthen the immune system
Prana (vital force) is the bridge between our body and mind. In this technique using our will power to channelize our Prana in a particular direction & to particular parts within the body for stimulation and energization there by to strengthen the immune system with positive attitude.

Procedure- Meditative posture/ Shavasana, Relaxation, Breath awareness, witnessing the imbalanced flow of Prana(breath), Correctional breathing, Positive resolution, Channelization of Prana, Returning to breath awareness.

Naada Anusandhaana (exploring the internal sound) -
Chanting the Sanskrit letters A - U - M and Om feeling the internal vibrations in the corresponding parts of the body and ultimately throughout the body, taking us to a state of blissful awareness.


Procedure- Meditative posture/ Shavasana

Chanting 'Aaa' three times with normal low and high pitch and experiencing the vibrations in the lower parts of the body.
Chanting 'U' three times with normal low and high pitch and experiencing the vibrations in the middle parts of the body.
Chanting 'Mmm' three times with normal low and high pitch and experiencing the vibrations in the head region.
Chanting A-U-M with 1:1:1 proportion three times and experiencing the vibrations in the respective areas.
Chanting OM with 1:2 proportion three into three times and experiencing the vibrations of OM throughout the body