What Is Jivamukti Yoga

Most of us have heard about how various saints from Gautam Buddha, St Francis of Asisi, Meerabai, and others attained salvations or Nirvana only when they left their mortal selves behind to enter into the cosmic world. Thus, we all began to associate salvation with death and saw physical existence as only the means to attain it. We never thought that we could ever attain salvation or be one with the Almighty when alive. 

On the other way, though most of us claim to know yoga, we all seem to think it is a means to get rid of diabetes and lose extra fat, thanks to the marketing strategies of many self-styled gurus. We tend to forget that the ultimate and main aim of yoga was to attain union with the Almighty. Since we seem to think we cannot do so while alive, we never even try to venture into that. That was when two Yoga practitioners from New York, David Life and Sharon Gannon, came up with the theory of ‘Jivamukti Yoga, which was supposed to help practitioners attain salvation while still alive. Here’s all you wanted to know about Jivamukti Yoga.

Jivamukti Yoga

What Does ‘Jivamukti’ Mean?

The term ‘Jivamukti’ comes from two Sanskrit words – ‘jiva’ meaning the physical existence and mukti meaning salvation. Together they mean attaining salvation and union with God even while one lives, which is the ultimate goal of Yoga. The Jivamukti style of Yoga was created by David Life and Sharon Gannon, two teachers of Asthanga Yoga teaching in New York, in 1986. They called this branch as Jivamukti so that it poses as a constant reminder to their students that the ultimate goal of someone who practices yoga is spiritual enlightenment and union with the Supreme Being. 

What Is The Principle Behind Jivamukti Yoga? 

The noted proponent of Iyengar Yoga, Dr BKS Iyengar once remarked without meditation, chanting, and breath control, all the poses of Yoga or Asanas are mere acrobatics. This is one of the foremost philosophy on which Jivamukti Yoga is based. It follows the principles listed below, which makes all the difference between mere physical exercise and bringing one’s physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and psychological self closer to the Supreme Being.

Jivamukti Yoga focuses on the teachings of the Sanskrit Scriptures, ancient teachings that were written down by Patanjali and chanting of Sanskrit shlokas or couplets.

Devotion or bhakti is another tenet that is essential to this branch of Yoga. Every person who practices yoga regards God as the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent being that resides in every being; they believe that every living being is the seat of God.

Non-violence or ahimsa, leading a compassionate lifestyle, emphasizing on ethical practice of vegetarianism and awareness about animal rights, are some other facets of Jivamukti Yoga. It also aims to spread awareness about the environmental and health problems that we shall face if we continue to eat a meat based diet. In fact, turning to a vegetarian diet is considered a way to incur good karma for the next incarnation.

Nada Yoga - one of the tenets of Jivamukti Yoga - emphasizes on the importance of listening to the sacred sounds of yoga like the chanting of the syllable ‘Aum’ and other shlokas and chanting.

Jivamukti Yoga lays stress on Dhyana or Meditation, which it believes is the ultimate way in which a human being can attain union with the Supreme Being. 

How Is It Relevant? 

Viewed from a modernist perspective, the Jivamukti Yoga combines each one of the branches of yoga to give the body as well as the mind a complete workout. It combines the traditional chanting and meditation as well as the more modern practice of vigorous yoga poses. A balanced program will include cardiovascular exercises, weight bearing exercises and flexibility training. Jivamukti Yoga also teaches breath control, meditation and chanting, which it emphasizes, is the surest way to attain union with the Supreme Being or the Paramaatman.

Sun Salutation Poses

The ‘Sun Salutation’ pose of the ‘Surya Namaskar’ is a series of poses that you will be adopting when practicing yoga. The origin of this pose can be traced back to the Veda’s - Hindu religious scriptures that defined a series of poses that were meant to praise the sun for its profitable effect on one’s health. The surya namaskar is a collection of a series of twelve poses that are designed to exercise the spine by having the person bend it back and forward. The ideal way to perform the poses also includes alternating the breathing between inhaling and exhaling. 

There are some other stipulations that need to be followed while performing the sun salutation, and one of them is that it should be done on an empty stomach. This  means that the exercises should be performed prior to eating or at least two hours after eating. The salutation has certain medical advantages, some of which include oxygenating the lungs, improving the digestive system and improving muscle flexibility. The ideology behind the poses is that it indicates ones complete surrender to God.

Sun Salutation Sequence

As mentioned earlier, there are twelve postures that are adopted, in a set sequence, to complete the poses meant for sun salutations.

Stand with your feet together and hands in the prayer position. Take a few deep breaths and then exhale. This is known as ‘pranamasana’ or the prayer pose.

As you inhale, stretch your hands above your head while holding the palms still together in the prayer position while and arching your back. This pose is known as ‘hasta uttanasana’ or the raised hands pose.

For the next pose you need to bend forward as you exhale. Keep bending over till you are able to place your hands next to your feet. Bend your knees if you feel the need to do so. This pose is known 'hastapaadasana' or the standing forward bend pose.

The fourth pose is the ‘aekpaadprasarnaasana’ or the equestrian pose. What you need to do here is to inhale and stretch your right leg back while you keep the leg and the spine in one straight line.

Once you are in the equestrian pose, exhale and bring the left foot back to place it next to the right foot. At this point you should be inhaling as you support you weight on your hands and feet while keeping your back straight and in line with your legs. This pose is called ‘dandasana’ or the four-limbed staffs pose.

‘Ashtanga namaskara’ or the salute with eight limbs is the next pose where you will lower you body as you exhale. This pose is similar to the pose you are in during the downward motion when doing pushups. Once in the pose, you will need to hold your breath and inhale as you transition to the next pose.

In the next pose, ‘bhujangasana’ or the cobra pose, you will raise your torso up, bending yourself back at the waist without raising your legs and inhaling all the way up.

‘Adho mukha svanasana’ or the downward facing dog pose is the next pose. Here you will exhale as you lift your hips up and push back. At the end of this motion you should have your hips raised and your head down at a lower position.

After the ‘adho mukha svanasana’ comes the ‘ashwa sanchalanasana’. This is where you return to the equestrian pose as you inhale.

The next pose will be the ‘uttanasana’ where you return your body to the pose of standing, while you bend forward at the waist and exhale.

‘Hasta uttanasana’ is the pose where you return your arms to the position where they are held together and raised above your head as you inhale.

The final pose is the return to the prayer pose or ‘pranamasana’. While returning to this pose you will need to exhale.

Once you have completed the first set of the twelve poses you need to repeat them with the left leg being stretched back first during the equestrian pose.

Bikram Yoga And Weight Loss

You’ve probably heard of Lady Gaga and Madonna investing their time in something called Bikram Yoga. It is a fact. But, what exactly does it do and how different is it from regular yoga? All these questions and more will be answered in this piece. Bikram Yoga is where the students are placed in a room for a period of 90 minutes. 

This room is thermally insulated at 1040C and has a humidity of 40%. During this time the pupils are asked to perform 26 different yoga poses. A big issue that arises when speaking of Bikram yoga is whether it leads to weight reduction. Either ways, there is a possibility of losing some pounds and there is no harm in checking it out! Hot yoga is most often confused with Bikram yoga. The two are similar; only that the latter has more restricted guidelines. To properly understand how Bikram yoga could aid in giving you more health benefits in the future, read the following section.

Weight Loss And Bikram Yoga

Weight loss in Bikram yoga is defined by a simple principle of – B.R.E.A.T.H.E where B stands for beliefs, R for regular yoga routine, E for eating habits, A for acceptance, T for throwing away embarrassments, H for hydration and finally E for excellence. To make it simpler, the above is explained to give you a general idea.

Beliefs

Anything works if you have faith. Weight loss can be achieved if you have a stern belief that balances your inner state as well. Another advantage of Bikram yoga is learning the art of patience and to eat healthy at the same time.

Regular Yoga Routine

If you faithfully follow the eating healthy and working out regime, then there will be specific changes in your body. Cravings will be eliminated and behavioral changes are also seen to affect your body positively. Breathing power and stress management automatically becomes easier. If stress decreases, then that is your ticket to weight loss (altered metabolism). Doing Bikram yoga thrice a week is a good start.

Eating Habits

Extra pounds are shed only if you stick to a healthy and balanced diet plan. Targeting low calories and low fat is a start. Stock up on complex carbohydrates such as brown bread, whole wheat pasta and sweet potatoes for energy.

Self Acceptance

Bikram yoga teaches you to love yourself and accept your nature. Doing so will boost your morale, confidence and emotional stability. This in turn will make you want a better body and losing that flab will be a simpler task!

Throw Away Embarrassments

If you want to attempt Bikram yoga, you will need the determination to overcome all the initial difficulties! So, take control of your weighing scales and don’t let it take control of you. Weight loss management is a slow and rewarding process. So, don’t be discomfited by your progress.

Hydration

Hydrating yourself with water and juices after a workout is very important. Water melts fat and calories and it is essential in breaking bonds. This form of yoga will be a wasted effort if you don’t drink enough water.

Excellence

Successful weight loss means excellence in Bikram yoga. You, therefore, will have to follow the right techniques and proper methods prescribed. If you do not do so, your body will fail to respond.

Benefits Of Bikram Yoga 

• Causes the body to sweat
• Detoxifies the body
• Increases the heart beat rate
• Burns extra calories 
• Hope this piece on Bikram yoga and weight loss has given you enough inspiration to opt for it.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a discipline of yoga that can be allied to the ‘eight limbs of yoga’. The system is based on the writings of the mystic Patanjali, but was made famous by K. Pattabhi Jois. Pattabhi Jois started off his yoga studies in 1927 at the age of 12 and established a yoga institute that specialized in Ashtanga Yoga in 1948. This form of yoga includes efforts taken to harmonize breathing and a chain of physically challenging postures. 

With regular practice and performance of Ashtanga yoga poses, the circulation of blood in the body improves due to the production of positive internal heat. This helps the ‘practitioner’ develop a strong and healthy body along with a calm and focused mind. Conquering Ashtanga yoga is extremely tough and can even take a lifetime of dedication and practice. The system of yoga known simply as Ashtanga in the West is different from the historical Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. Read on to know more on Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and the poses that are a part of it.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Poses

Ashtanga yoga thrives on postures that are linked to each other. Ashtanga yoga comprises a chain of exigent and free-flowing poses. It’s like a continuous wave of poses.

The poses move from standing to seated and lying down variations. You will have to stand, bend, balance, twist, and stretch. You will have to work on the sun salutation pose, the upward dog pose, the downward dog pose and various other poses.

Vinyasa refers to the flowing of one pose into the other. A full vinyasa stands for a completed cycle of the first salutation to the sun. You start off with the ‘Mountain Pose’ and graduate into a standing forward bend. From this pose, you move on into performing the ‘Chaturanga Dandasana’, it’s the four limbed stick pose. You’ve then got to perform the upward facing dog pose and the downward facing dog pose. Jump back onto your feet, the jump should see you back to the start position. Repeat the standing forward bend, stretch towards the skies and finish off the cycle with the mountain pose. This is a full vinyasa.

For beginners however, pulling off a full vinyasa is not an easy task. It takes practice, passion and dedication to perform a full vinyasa. This is exactly why most yoga practitioners stress on the half vinyasa. In ashtanga vinyasa, the half vinyasa revolves around seated poses while both standing and seated poses make up the full vinyasa. The poses and the sequences of the same have a palpable effect on the practitioner.

A little on the three main sequences in the discipline of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is made up of three main sequences. Each of these three sequences are inter-related and complement each other perfectly. The first sequence is known as the Yoga Chikitsa; this sequence eliminates toxins and also gives a certain shape to the body. The second sequence is the Nadi Shodhana sequence. It helps in the sanitation of the nervous system and assists in the flow of energy. The third and last sequence is called Sthira Bhaga. It is an advanced sequence and can be executed only by the masters of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. It requires loads of stamina and flexibility.

Practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and mastering it can help you reap the benefits of the same. It can make you both physically and mentally tough. It improves your overall fitness by supplementing your inner strength and increasing your flexibility. Go ahead; strive to achieve perfection in the discipline of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. It’s only going to help you, in terms of fitness and mental toughness, to traverse from where you are to where you desire to be.