Go Through Eight Yoga Stages

Go Through Eight Yoga Stages

Now there is hardly a person in the modern world who has not heard of yoga - one of the most effective self-improvement systems of a man that won the whole world. Yoga is an ancient art of integrated development of body, mind and spirit, which originated in mysterious India about 6000 years ago. Who was the creator of the teaching is unknown. Traditionally, Patanjali is considered the "father of yoga", who was the first to write down things that were passed from master to student only by mouth.

The popularity of yoga may be caused also by the fact that it does not matter for practicing it in what shape our body is; your age does not matter as well, plus, there is no need in any exercise equipment and accessories. At the same time strengthening, cleansing and energizing yoga exercises can give you back the joy of life, improve your health and lead you to a better knowledge of yourself.

Stages of Yoga

Yoga, according to the Sutras of Patanjali, consists of 8 steps, which are a kind of instruction for achieving harmony in your life.

Yama is the first step of yoga and is a code of conduct and relationships, it is a universal law that can be reduced to the following rule - "Do not do to others what you do not wish for yourself".

Niyama is the second stage of yoga, which belongs to the realm of spirituality and self-discipline

Asana is the third stage of yoga, which is a special pose. Regular practice of asanas will make us more disciplined and will form the ability to concentrate.

Pranayama is the fourth stage of yoga, which consists in control of breathing. Pranayama includes the techniques that teach to control breathing in searching for connection between breath, mind and emotions.

Pratyahara is the fifth stage of yoga; it means the diversion of the senses from external objects. At this stage it is necessary to make efforts to direct your mind inwards and not be distracted by external stimuli.

Dharana is the sixth stage, which teaches concentration. The practice of concentration can slow down the thinking process by concentrating on some mental object. Prolonged periods of concentration sooner or later lead to meditation.

Dhyana is the seventh stage, which means meditation or contemplation. However, there is a subtle difference between concentration and meditation: the first involves unidirectional attention; the second is a state of mindfulness, in which the focus as it does not exist.

Samadhi is the last, the eighth stage, which involves a state of bliss. Here a meditator merges with the object and goes beyond the boundaries of the self. He begins to realize the deep connection with the divine and mutual connection with all living beings.

Contraindications for practicing yoga.

- Mental disorders
- Epilepsy
- Cancer
- Grave overall condition, when all loads are contraindicated
- Increased intraocular and intracranial pressure
- Organic heart disease
- Neuroinfections
- Infection in the locomotor apparatus
- Recent surgery or trauma
- Heavy uncompensated spinal injuries.