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Yoga Overview

by Swami Kriyananda

"Yoga is an art as well as a science. It is a science, because it offers practical methods for controlling body and mind, thereby making deep meditation possible. And it is an art, for unless it is practiced intuitively and sensitively it will yield only superficial results."

 

"Yoga is not a system of beliefs.  It takes into account the influence on each other of body and mind, and brings them into mutual harmony. So often for instance, the mind cannot concentrate simply because of tension or illness in the body, which prevent the energy from flowing to the brain. So often, too, the energy in the body is weakened because the will is dispirited, or paralyzed by harmful emotions."

 

"Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, or energy-control. Prana means also 'breath.' Yoga teaches how, through breath control to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness."

 

"The higher teachings of hatha yoga take one beyond techniques, and show the yogi, or yoga practitioner, how to direct his concentration in such a way as not only to harmonize human with divine consciousness, but to merge his consciousness in the Infinite,"

 

Paramhansa Yogananda in The Essence of Self-Realization

 



Ananda Yoga Portland:  4855 SW Watson, Beaverton Oregon 97005 • 503-626-3403