About Yoga

Yoga means union. 

The ultimate aim of yoga is to dispel the illusion that we are seperate from each other, from nature, reality and the world in which we live. 

Because of the huge technological achievements and advances of modern man, most of us live in a high-speed technology-dominated society. The relevence of yoga today is to regain our vital connection with our inner selves under these potentially stressful and alienating conditions.

The journey to rediscovering an inner awareness may seem an impossible task, far removed from activities and demands of daily life, but this is not so. Yoga embraces the individual as a unique being made up of body, mind, emotion and spirit. Yoga is not only a philosophy, it is also a practical and scientific path for the expansion and liberation of energy and the evolution of consciousness.

Satyanada Yoga (Bihar Yoga)

Satyananda Yoga can be practiced by people of every age, ability and physicality.  It has no religious component and can be practised alongside any religious beliefs or non beliefs. 

It is non-competitive and there is no forcing of postures or techniques because this type of stress is in opposition to the central principle of yoga which is to be in the truth and peace of the present moment. Gradually as we become more comfortable being in the here and now and experience the joy this way of living, we learn to let go of the expectations we have of how things "should be", these expectations which cause stress and lead to dis-ease.

The practices of yoga restore harmony and balance between the body, mind and emotions and stimulates the release of physical, mental and emotional tensions.

Practitioners of yoga first become aware of tensions in the body and practice of asana (physical postures) leads to an increased overall physical awareness, for example, which parts of the anatomy are being stretched, the muscles that are activated as a result.

Then follows a natural awareness of the breathing process and other internal systems, with this comes a sense of connection to the body.

Gradually and with practice, the student discovers it is possible to access an awareness of the workings of the  mind and the emotions with increasingly subtle experiences and realisations.

The practice and benefits of yoga can become more developed according to the level and aims of the aspirant.

Awareness and practice is the key.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati, disciple of Swami Sivandanda Sarawati of Rishikesh, founded the Bihar School of Yoga in 1964 to impart the knowledge of yoga "from door to door and shore to shore." He combined the philosophy and knowledge of the paths and ancient practices from the Vedas and Tantra which he formulated into a comprehensive system which adapted the purity of the knowlege for contemporary life.

To learn more about Satyananda Yoga, please follow the link to Satyananda Yoga/Bihar Yoga.