1. Koshas in Yoga
In the West, yoga is primarily a set of exercises, called hatha yoga. However, yoga is an ancient teaching from India with a goal and philosophy of achieving enlightenment. Through meditation and Vedic teachings the ideas of the koshas were developed. In Integral yoga and all yoga, there are five bodies or beings to man, not only the physical. The annamaya kosha is the physical being. The Pranamaya kosha translates closely to the emotions of man/woman or in the West, it fits the definition of soul. There is a mental being and a knowledge being, called manomaya kosha and vijnana kosha respectively. The higher being or body is the anandamaya kosha.
2. Organic Food
In Integral yoga, the goal of all the practices are to calm, clear and center the person to be able to sit and meditate without physical, mental or emotional disturbances. The psychic being in Integral yoga is calmed and centered by good diet. Integral yoga practitioners keep their diets as pure as possible. They are vegetarians and eat traditional Indian food, as well as local organic food and food from health food stores. As a matter of fact, some Integral yoga followers own and run health food stores.
3. Hatha Yoga
Integral yoga followers practice hatha yoga. Yoga is popular in the West, and most people know the benefits that come with hatha yoga such as balance, agility, flexibility and strength. This daily exercise regimen increases circulation and blood and oxygen flow to the organs bringing better health.
4. Pranayama Breathing Exercises
Pranayama, yogic breathing, is an important part of Integral yoga, as breath is considered synonymous with life in yogic tradition. Breathing exercises with counting, holding and alternating breathing from the right to the left nostril are commonly practiced. Through these breathing exercises, as well as mantras and chants, it is believed a person will cleanse, strengthen and become more balanced. This enables the practitioner to sit and meditate longer without disturbance. And this helps positive transform the psychic being.
5. Kriya Yoga
Kriya yoga is practiced in Integral yoga and was brought to the United States by Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda was made popular by his well-known book "The Autobiography of a Yogi." Kriya yoga is a practice of advanced cleansing methods and ablutions for the physical body. Because the psychic kosha (emotion or soul) is closely tied to the physical being--Kriya practices can help transform the psychic kosha.
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