Executive Summary

Yoga means union, union of mind, body and spirit, with union comes balance. Through daily practice of simple yoga postures you will increase your stamina strengthen your body, become more supple and relaxed, you will begin to feel a serenity of mind. In this hectic world the ancient art of yoga offers a way to balance. Each posture is designed to work deeply and consistently on an area of the body. You could liken it to an internal massage.

Yoga does not only work on muscle strength and flexibility but on the internal organs of the body. Consistent practice of simple yoga postures will give substantial results. Beyond the performance of posture is a state of mind and a way of being based on a greater self-esteem and creativity.

Table of Content

Introduction2

Discussion3

Surat Shabd Yoga5

A Comparative Overview Of The Soul9

Yoga and its Benefits12

Benefits of Yoga to the Cardiovascular System14

Conclusion15

References16

Introduction

The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings. One way is to look at the words yoke or unite, referring to the union of the individual self with the universal consciousness. It is believed that yoga, while benefiting your physical body, also helps with your metal well being, as well. However, yoga also describes the union of the physical body with the mind and spirit as a method of transcending the limitations of the ego and reaching enlightenment (Keay 2000).

Yoga has existed in some form for thousands of years. Its history can be traced back to the time of the Vediculture around 2800BCE is closely entwined with the Hindu religion. The earliest references to yoga come form sculptures and carvings dating back as far as 5000 years, that were found in the Indus Valley. There are many different paths of yoga and each one approaches the goal of self-realization. The six main paths of yoga are Jnana yoga, Bhakti Karma yoga, Mantra yoga, Raja yoga, and Hatha yoga. Jnana yoga is the path of wisdom and is most suited to people with an intellectual temperament.

The history of philosophy and religion abounds with descriptions from romantics and visionaries who vehemently proclaim that "man's common consciousness is only a shadow of reality": witness Plato's Cave, Dostoevsky's Underground, and Plotinus, who said, "Insofar as the soul is in the body it rests in deep sleep" (Jacobsen 2005).

What does Plotinus mean by this statement? Does he echo Euripides, who would have us consider physical death and thereafter as "life" and corporeal existence no more than a dream? Or is Plotinus emphasizing that knowledge is primarily attained through disembodied experience? If the latter is true, what is the significance of Gautama Buddha's "Death conquers all, so conquer death"; Mohammed's "Die before ye die" (Possehl 2003); and Christ's "Learn to die, that you may begin live."

Discussion

The issue put forth by mystics, philosophers, and legendary religious figures is that humans are not conscious of their very selves--the soul, or that principle of divinity which is in tune with the One. For if one were to have this knowledge, the mysteries of ...