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An Historical Text Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is a book of 195 separate phrases that are designed to be easy to memorize. Because it is a work that is every bit as much a part of modern yoga as it was a part of the birth of yoga, this particular book is held in very high esteem in the yoga world.

The origin of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the topic of some debate among both historians and practitioners. The name of this text is named using Sanskrit words: yoga, you probably know, is a mindset wherein you are able to gain mastery of feelings and thoughts alike. Sutra literally means “thread.”

The sutras in the text are divided into four books. Fifty one of the sutras are contained in the book called Samadhi Pada, fifty five of them are in Sadhana Pada, fifty five are also in Vibhuti Pada, and thirty four of the sutras can be found in Kaivalya Pada.

The book Samadhi Pada contains sutras that are most considered fundamental to yoga. Many of the most famous yoga sutras come from this particular book. This chapter is where Kriya Yoga and the eight limbs of yoga first appear. These aspects reflect the idea that yoga is both selfless and spiritual. 

The Vibhuti Pada can be translated “power.” Yoga teaches to concentrate on self and attaining higher levels of consciousness, and this book uses 34 sutras to pursue this idea.

Which Ones Are Right For You - Yoga Vinyasas ?

When you think about yoga, you likely think first of poses that emphasize self awareness and flexibility.  You can, though, link poses in series called yoga vinyasas. In these vinyasas, the poses are done in a free-flowing sequence that adds to your overall yoga experience.

One of the most popular sequences is known as the Sun Salutation. It is a single flow of 12 different yoga postures. This particular vinyasas is designed to build your strength and increase your overall flexibility. The sun salutation starts with mountain. Still flowing, you go into upward dog, downward dog, and lunge. Finally, the sequence finishes with head to knees, hands up, and mountain again. As you can see, the Sun Salutation is naturally circular just as many other yoga sequences are.

Another popular sequence for yogis in the West is called Triangle, or the Warrior II. This particular vinyasas emphasizes your breathing. The sequence for Warrior II works through four poses. You will use Mountain, Triangle, Warrior II and the standing Yoga Mudra. Moving in that order, you will flow through the sequence in time with your breathing. Once you begin to learn a number of yoga poses, you can begin to experiment with vinyasas on  your own or with a teacher. Additionally, you can find other yoga sequences that suit your skill level, need, and style of yoga. Overall, the vinyasas are a part of yoga that may help you see and feel results more quickly and more consistently.

Yoga Your Way to Physical and Mental Fitness

The practice of yoga has been around for more than four thousand years already. In other parts of the world, the popularity of yoga is caused by its many health benefits and its associated use with asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga as fitness exercises.


Although considered by many simply as an exercise fad, yoga practice has in fact helped thousands of people in improving their physical and mental fitness
Purpose of Yoga and Its Main Components


Besides reaching a spiritual state of enlightenment, yoga can also help individuals reach a better understanding of not only their bodies but their inner selves as well.  When practicing yoga, you’ll notice that you’ll be concentrating on three main points:

Body Positioning or Posture
Breathing Techniques
Meditating Techniques

Advantages of Yoga
Treating Back Injuries - yoga can heal back injuries that you may have by increasing the blood circulation for your injured tissues to heal faster and strengthening your lower back muscles; yoga may also in several cases heal other types of injuries as well
 Better Sleep, Rediscover the simple pleasures of sleeping with the help of yoga.
Mental Clarity and Improved Stress Control, The quiet and deeply relaxing techniques used in yoga would help you have a better state of mind every day at work and better control of your stress levels.


Beginner’s Tips for Yoga Practice
Classes or Private Lessons – When you’re determined to join a yoga class, make sure that you’re joining a class whose level fits yours. Lastly, choose the type of yoga class that fits your taste and abilities. On the other hand, if you’re not the social type, you can always attempt yoga practice at home and with the comforts of privacy.

Balance Ball With Yoga

A medicine ball is also commonly used by athletes who have sustained an injury, and seek rehabilitation. They are also extensively used by secondary schools as a fitness aid, by lifting the ball, or performing different exercises with the ball incorporated to increase the strain on a particular muscle.

What is A Swiss Ball?
A Swiss ball is a ball constructed of elastic rubber with a diameter of around 55 to 85 cm (22 to 34 inches). Yoga with Balance Ball? The balance ball supports you in certain poses and helps you modify each posture to suit your body.

Bent Knee Bridge for Buttocks and hamstrings
The following are some guidelines in planning and running a medicine ball session :
  • Partners who feed the medicine ball on certain exercises should be well drilled on what is required
  • Medicine ball exercises must precede high intensity work
  • Start sessions with lighter less dynamic exercises, then progress to heavier exercises
  • Plan the program to exercise alternate body parts (legs, upper body, torso)
  • A primary benefit of exercising with a Swiss ball as opposed to exercising directly on a hard flat surface is that the body responds to the instability of the ball to remain balanced, engaging many more muscles to do so. 
You can read about Yoga Your Way to Physical and Mental Fitness