Yoga

Definition & Types


Yoga can be defined as a way of life that includes ethical precepts, dietary prescriptions, exercises and other relevant practices. Yoga is also described as a practice for the development of body, mind and spirit. Hindu scriptures like the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and many others describe the usefulness and practices of Yoga.

There are six branches of Yoga, these are: Hatha Yoga or Yoga of Postures, Bhakti Yoga or Yoga of Devotion, Raja Yoga or Yoga of Self-Control, Jnana Yoga or Yoga of the Mind, Karma Yoga or Yoga of Service and Tantra Yoga or Yoga of Rituals. In India yoga is seen as a means to both physiological and spiritual mastery. Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas (postures or exercises) of Hatha Yoga. Hatha yoga is what people know as yoga today.


Advantages

Why should we practice yoga? The very precise answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit. Yoga makes you live comfortably and without any disease, for a longer time.

For initial learners, yoga is good for what ails you. Intensive research has revealed that yoga helps manage, control or cure anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases.


Organizations

* Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India
* Central Council of Indian Medicine
* International Yoga Federation
* International Classical Yoga Federation
* Yoga Alliance India International
* International Gurukulam, Yogabhavan of India & USA
* International Yoga Institute of Europe
* International Yoga College of USA World Academy of Ayurveda
* Brahman International Federation
* Universal Sanatan Dharma Foundation
* International Yoga Sports Federation
* Yoga Integral® International
* International Yoga Academy of India
* International Yoga Centre of Tokio, Japan
* International Yogatherapy Association
* International Association of theYoga Science Centres (Greece)
* International Society Of Yoga Education (Canada)
* International Ayurveda College (Italy)
* International Academy of Ayurveda (India)InternationalCentre for Yoga Education and Research of India
* World Vaishnava Association India
* World Yoga Council
* World Yoga Federation
* World Clinical Yoga Society (India)
* World Yoga Society (India)
* World Movement of Yoga
* Atman, World Federation of Yoga and Meditation


Organizations recognized by the International Yoga Federation

1) Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission (SwamiVivekananda)

2) Self-Realization Fellowship(Swami Yogananda)

3) Ramana Maharsri (Sri Ramana)

4) Sri Auroibndo Ashram (Sri Aurobindo)

5) Auroville (Aurobindo City)

6) Divine Life Society (Swami Sivananda)

7) International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres (Swami Vishnudevananda)

8) Yasodhara Ashram (Swami Sivananda Radha)

9) 3HO International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (Yogi Bhajan)

10) Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) (Yogacharya Iyengar)

11) Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (Yogacharya Jois)

12) International Siddha Yoga Centres

13) Ananda Shanga (Swami Kriyananda)

14) Himalayan Institute Teachers Association (HITA) (Swami Rama)

15) International Yoga Teachers' Association Inc of Australia

16) California Yoga Teachers Association

17) Yoga Teachers Association of Australia

18) Dharma Central of U.S.A.

19) American Yoga Association

20) Yoga Federation of France

21) Danish Yoga Association

22) Yoga Teachers Federation of Ontario

23) Yoga Schools Federation of Luxemburg

24) Swiss Yoga Association

24) Hatha Yoga Federation of France

25) International Association of Yogatherapists YREC

26) International Centre For Yogic Arts and Sciences

27) National Yoga Confederation of Italy

28) Kiev Yoga Federation (Ukraine)

29) Yoga In Daily Life Organizations

30) International Yoga Studies of U.S.A.

31) European Yoga Union (Europe)

32) BKS Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States

33) Scottish Yoga Teachers' Association

34) International Black Yoga Teachers Association USA

35) Yoga Schools Federation of France

36) Integral Yoga International & Yogaville USA

37) International Yoga Teachers Association of Spain

38) Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

39) Independent Yoga Network U.K.

40) Yoga Bharati Assocation USA

41) Friends of Yoga of Autralia

42) Yoga Teachers Fellowship of South Africa

43) Yoga Research Foundation of USA

44) Amrit Yoga Institute of USA

45) Bikram Yoga College of India

46) Yoga Vidya Teacher's Association of Germany

47) Ananda Ashram Yoga Association of Italy

48) Yoga Alliance of U.S.A.

49) Italian Gitananda Yoga Federation

50) Hindu Union of Italy

51) Asanga Yogatherapy Centre of Spain

52) Art Of Yoga Slovenia Association

53) Assoc. Rezonance of Chezch Republic

54) Samata Yoga Centre of USA

55) The Yoga Institute (Sri Yogendra)

56) Vivekananda Yoga Anusadhana Samasthana

57) Kaivalyadhama Lonavla (Subodh Tiwari)

58) Yoga And Pshycotherapy Association of India

59) Swami Veda Bharati Organization

60) International Sri Deep Mdhavananda Ashram Fellowship Yoga in daily life.org

61) International Yoga Institute of Poland

62) International Yoga Institute of Canada

63) International Yoga Institute of Hong Kong, China

64) International Yoga Society India

65)International Yoga Association

66) Kali Ray International Yoga Association of Tri Yoga USA

67) World Yoga Foundation USA