Yoga is practiced around the world and offers a variety of styles, postures, poses and positions. A few of the more common styles of yoga include Iyengar, Bikram and Hatha. Some styles of yoga focus more on meditation and breathing combined with still poses while others are considered aerobic or power yoga. Another form of yoga is the meditative Surat Shadb.
Description
Surat Shadb yoga focuses on spiritual awareness. Shabd means "word" while the common translation of this form is yoga of the celestial sound current. The foundation of Surat Shadb yoga is similar to others in that mysticism, self-discipline and spiritual discipline. Surat Shadb yoga is Arabic in origin, and though first practiced in the Middle East and India, with terms and beliefs often blending separate cultures, this form of yoga is today practiced around the world. It is also known as Path of Light and Sound and Journey of the Soul.
Focus
Surat Shadb yoga strives to lift the practitioner out of his body in a spiritual uplifting to greater degrees of consciousness. Positions promoting meditation are useful in this form of yoga, as is a quiet and serene environment. Surat Shadb aims to enhance your senses; taste, smell and hearing. Attention to your surroundings and what your senses are telling you is the foundation of mastering Surat Shadb.
Breathing
Pranayama breathing techniques are considered useful in the practice of Surat Shadb. Pranayama breathing teaches you to consciously slow down your breathing to meditate with a clear mind and slow down your metabolism and heart rate. Some may need long periods of practice to master this.
Meditation
Your goal in mastering the Surat Shadb form of yoga is to take what is external and internalize it, according to Bahai Studies. This form of yoga is also effective in relieving stress and anxiety. Choose a comfortable position to begin your meditation session. Close your eyes and concentrate on your center, known as the Eye Center or Dharana-mind focus technique. Continue to focus on the darkness in front of you and imagine yourself gazing at a point 10 inches in front of your eyes. Some practitioners of this form of yoga state they see spots of color or flashes of color. While concentrating on this point, repeat a mantra of your choice.
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