Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj" which translates to mean to join, to unify, a coming together or yoke. Yoga practice is the unification of mind, soul and physical body. Yoga combines different techniques to join the whole of a person. The practice of yoga leads to balance, physically and emotionally, and allows the mind and soul to find stillness in the movement.
Mudra Techniques
Mudra is a Sanskrit word that means "a seal or closure". Applied to yoga, mudras are physical gestures that affect the flow of energy in the body. The ancient yoga practice links mudras with changing mental and spiritual aspects of a person's well being by unblocking vital energy.
Mudras are mostly hand gestures, such as Anjali Mudra where the hands are at the heart center in prayer position, or Chin Mudra where the thumb and pointer finger are joined to form a circle with the palms facing up.
Meditation Techniques
Yoga classically incorporates mantras into the meditation process. A mantra is used to quiet mind chatter and vibrates the entire being while keeping the mind actively engaged while removing the everyday thoughts the mind tends to return to. There are countless mantras. A beginner may start with a meditation technique combining awareness of breath with a breathing mantra "so hum". So hum is a contemplative meditation technique that translates to "I am that", "that" being creation. Connecting the mantra with the breath focus during meditation opens the state of consciousness from constriction to expansion
Pranayama Techniques
In Sanskrit, prana means "vital energy carried to life through breath". Pranayama is the regulation of breath and the practice is to control the vital energy that is within each breath. One Pranayama technique very often used during yoga practice is Ujjayi Breathing. Sometimes called the ocean or whispered breath, for those learning the breathing technique, the sound is audible, mimicking the sound of the ocean. Not just for yoga practice, the body benefits from Ujjayi Breathing exercise because it increases intake of oxygen, slows the breath, helps build energy and maintains an increase pressure in the abdomen area thus supporting the spine.
Pose Technique
The basic element of all yoga poses start from Mountain Pose, Tadasana in Sanskrit. "Tada" means a mountain and is a basic standing pose that is the foundation of yoga practice. Mountain Pose is similar to the anatomical position, except the palms face forward alongside the thighs. The feet are together and firmly planted on the ground. The legs are straight with the hips directly over the standing base. The spine is stretched long and the crown of the head reaches up for an erect stance. The correct technique of standing without putting weight to one side, too far forward or too far back is the building block that leads to proper weight distribution, balance and body awareness.
References
- "Yoga Anatomy"; Leslie Kaminoff; 2007
- Yoga Journal: Anjali Mudra
- "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga"; Deepak Chopra, M.D. and David Simon, M.D.; 2004
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