Meditation is part of the eight limbs of yoga as outlined by Patanjali in the "Yoga Sutras." The eight limbs are tools that yogis use to find samadhi, or union with the divine. Aside from other limbs, which deal with yoga poses, breathing exercises and moral codes, several of the them outline progressively more advanced techniques that use meditation. The limb of meditation, or dhyana in Sanskrit, means to be perfectly aware without focus on any one thing. Yoga and meditation training varies among yoga styles.
History
The "Yoga Sutras" emphasizes a systematic approach to meditation training. Other yogic texts, such as the "Bhagavad Gita," also prescribe how students are to train the mind and body for meditation through sensory withdrawal, proper breathing and living a clean life without extremes. Traditionally, most yoga training involved one-on-one sessions with a yogi master or guru. The physical side of yoga, which uses poses, developed as a way to deal with the demands of sitting in meditation.
Function
Yoga poses are more than physical postures. As yogis hold yoga poses, they learn to focus on holding challenging strength, flexibility or balance positions while maintaining awareness in the present moment and deep, even breathing. When the body is healthy, flexible and strong, it can sit in meditation poses like lotus or easy seated pose with fewer distractions. Typically, introductory meditation training includes learning to focus, first on one object, then on focusing without a focal point. Although yoga does not promote a single religion, the purpose of meditation is to understand higher consciousness and ultimately, the divine.
Styles
Each yoga style has its own approach to meditation, but they all have similarities. They use breathing exercises and often seated yoga poses during meditation. Some styles are more known for their focus on the meditative aspects of yoga, such as Kundalini, Ananda and Integral. According to KundaliniYoga.org, the style uses combinations of breathing exercises, poses, mudras or hand positions, chanting, visualizations and other techniques, called kriyas. More physically challenging yoga styles, such as Ashtanga and Bikram, often use the intensity of advanced yoga poses to find inner truth and divinity.
Locations
Many yoga studios offer meditation classes. Hatha style yoga classes, or yoga that focuses on practicing poses, usually begin and end with short meditation sessions. For extended learning about meditation, try a weekend workshop or an immersion program. Ashrams are centers for meditation and yogic study, and they often offer live-in programs that usually last one month or longer. There are ashrams around the world under various yoga styles. You can also develop a home meditation practice.
Expert Insight
Yoga enthusiast Alisa Bauman writes of a study on meditation by the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, involving electroencephalography, or EEG. The machine, which measures brain waves, showed neural patterns consistent with a relaxed and meditative mind on participants who reported that they have a regular meditation practice and even enlightenment. Participants also stated that it took them between seven to 30 years to reach a state of perpetual enlightenment. The Mayo Clinic offers meditation as alternative therapy for many conditions.
References
- "The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Translation and Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda"; Sri Swami Satchidananda; 1978
- "The Living Gita, The Complete Bhagavad Gita"; Sri Swami Satchidananda; 1988
- Kundalini Yoga: Fundamental Components of Kundalini Yoga
- Yoga Journal: Everyday Enlightenment
- Mayo Clinic: Meditation
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