BUDDHA YOGA CENTERS
YOGA
The yogic tradition, with its focus on the inner self, was hence adopted by Buddhism. The common essence of both yoga and Buddhism is the attainment of enlightenment through discipline. Buddhism refers to this enlightenment or realisation as Nirvana.
FACTS OF BUDDHA YOGA
Yoga and Buddhism History
Yoga has been around for over 5,000 years, and unlike Buddhism, it actually isn't considered a religion, but rather a practice that is derived from Hinduism. It can also be practiced by anyone regardless of their belief system or values.
What is the origin of Yoga?
Where does yoga come from? Yoga's origins can be traced to northern India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in ancient sacred texts called the Rig Veda.
What are the 5 concepts of Yoga?
Along with being a way of life, it is also considered a practical science with five principles forming its core:
1. Proper Exercises (Asanas)
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama) 3. Proper Relaxation.
4. Proper Diet and Nutrition.
5. Meditation and Positive thinking.
What are the 7 stages of Yoga?
Seven Stages of Yoga – Introduction – Meditation
1. Self-Awareness.
2. Self-Understand.
3. Self-Acceptance.
4. Self-Discipline.
5. Self-Actualisation.
6. Self-Transcendence.
7. Self-Transformation.
How to Start a Yoga Practice
1. Make sure your stomach and bowels are empty.
Yoga is not just an exercise but a way of enhancing the human energy system. As Buddha explains, "Anything that is not the body should be out of the body if you want to move your energies upward." So make sure to do your yoga practice before you eat (ideally in the morning before breakfast) and after emptying the bowels. And in the same vein, there should be no intake of food or water while you do the yoga practice itself.
2. Take a shower or bath.
Bathing is not just about cleaning your skin; when water comes in contact with your body, one's interiority gets washed as well. Buddha recommends cool or tepid water as it makes "the pores between the skin cells open up, and that’s important for practicing yoga because we want the cellular structure of the body to be charged with a different dimension of energy."
3. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
As we looked at, yoga works on one's energy system. Wearing loose-fitting clothes assists in this process. Buddha says, "When your energies begin to expand within you, you will notice tight-fitting clothes will not be comfortable on your body. Naturally you would want a very loose fitting cloth."
4. Consume neem (Azadirachta indica) and turmeric before the yoga practice.
"The consumption of neem and turmeric with tepid, light honey water is a wonderful way of cleansing and dilating the cellular structure in such a way that it is able to absorb energy. When you do sadhana, the dilation brings flexibility to the muscles. The flexibility helps you to slowly build the system into a more powerful possibility." -Buddha
5. Start with an invocation.
An invocation is a way of bringing out the best in you before you practice yoga. In the yogic culture, invocations are usually in Sanskrit, an ancient language that directly connects sounds with forms. Using sounds to activate the human system is the basis of Nada Yoga, or the yoga of sound. An invocation is a very simple form of Nada Yoga.
A simple invocation that you could start with is:
Asato ma sadgamaya
Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
Mrityor ma amritangamaya
Aum Shanti Shanti Shantihi
Lead me from untruth to truth
Lead me from darkness (ignorance) to light (knowing)
Lead me from death to deathlessness