Yoga: From Ancient Practice Still Prevalent In Modern Society

1108 words - 5 pages

The discipline of yoga originated in India 5,000 years. Creating a connection between mind and body is the ultimate goal of this tradition; the word yoga actually means “union of the individual self” (Iyengar 14). Millions use yoga to strengthen their bodies, and ease their minds. In America especially, the practice of yoga has become a trend, made popular especially by hollywood elite. But unlike other dangerous trends perpetuated by celebrities, yoga garners substantial benefits. More energy, reduced stress, and a stronger and more flexible body are only a few of the many positive effects. Yoga is an ancient tradition that yields tremendous benefits for those who practice it today.
Yoga ...view middle of the document...

The eight limbs are steps that an individual takes when he or she incorporates yoga into their life. The steps lead to the “ultimate goal of Astanga Yoga, that of emancipation of the self” (Iyengar 29). An individual must embrace each step fully, before reaching Astanga Yoga. The first two steps “yama, or general ehtical principles, and niyama, or self- restraint, prescribe a code of conduct that molds individual morality and behavior” (Iyengar 29). Yama itself has five principles: nonviolence, freedom from avarice, truthfulness, chastity, and freedom from desire. The next two steps are asanas, and pranayama, which are the postures and breathing techniques employed in yoga. Together, asanas and pranayama help “discipline the body and mind” (Iyengar 29). Pratyahara is next; it involves detaching oneself from the external world. Then there is dharana, concentration, and dhyana, prolonged concentration. It is these last two steps that allow an individual to achieve samdhi, the final aspect of the eight limbs. Samadhi is attained “when you lose the sense of your separate existence...nothing else remains except the core of one’s being: the soul”(Iyengar 29).
Once an individual has completed all eight steps, he or she can access their “chakras.” In order to achieve perfect physical health, a person must activate the body’s chakras: coils of energy located along the spine (Iyengar 36). A chakra is not a tangible form of matter, it is only noticeable through the effects it has on the body. Yogic sages teach that there are 11 chakras, which, when awakened through asanas and pranayama, generate energy that circulates though the entire body. Energy is spread through nadis, or channels. Since one of the main goals of yoga is the awakening of divine energy in every person, the accessing of chakras is a very important aspect of any yoga practice.
Similar to the body, the mind is categorized into five stages of being. The first three stages are negative: kshpita, mudha, and vikshipta, or disturbed, stupefied, and distracted. Kshipta and vikshipta both represent a mind that is hyperactive, unable to shut out external disturbances, and reflect. Mudha, on the other hand, represents a sluggish, lethargic mind (Iyengar 38). It is the final two stages of the mind that are the desired states of being. Ekagra is a tranquil state...

Subtraction by Addition: Technological Advances in Modern Society

1813 words - 8 pages Throughout the last century of the Modern World, particularly the United States and the Western World, the most compelling and influential aspect has been advancement of technology. To this day, technology makes incredible strides to make our society more effective and easier to manage. To many people, the increase in technology and expertise increases efficiency in the workplace, home, and personal life. But for a rising movement of writers

What Is the Role of Women in Ancient, Medieval and Modern India?

721 words - 3 pages parents of girls have an advantage over the parents of boys. :-) Because of this india is known for being 'the land of the vanishing girl'. This preference of males, comes from ancient times when the parents of females had to pay a dowry [money to the groom family] in order for the marriage to take place. The dowries were often very high, and unreasonable. And the dowry was not the end of the paying money to the groom. If the money was not paid

The Main Features of Government and Society Under the Ancient Regime in France before 1789

692 words - 3 pages The Main Features of Government and Society Under the Ancient Regime in France before 1789 French society before 1789 existed with many problems and tensions due to the various sections of society and the King’s government’s inability to operate on these problems effectively and efficiently. The King had absolute power at this time in that he authority was not limited by any representative body such as a parliament

Inequality In American Society From 1815 To 1860

3193 words - 13 pages support themselves. And even if they had enough, they were still prohibited from having sexual relationship outside matrimony. This put women who wanted such relationship in a dilemma: either to get married and lose control of their properties or to keep their affairs in secret and risk facing fierce disapproval of the society if words got out. It is worth noting that New York gave married women complete control over their properties in 1848

Breaking Free From Society In Kate Chopin's The Awakening

679 words - 3 pages cultural beliefs. Edna's self-determination to start a new life and to break free from society's chains provided a triumph. Her willpower to risk it all: her children, her image and her life, provided a strong personality for a female character during her time period. Edna provided an example for all women to follow in attempts to further their position in society. She demonstrated that a woman has the ability, at any time

Fetal states while the baby is still in the womb, how things are different from inside and out. "Mystery of a Hidden Life"

560 words - 3 pages biphenyls (PCBs), which has been found to cause neurological defects, even from very little exposure.Very interesting research has been conducted to evidence fetal memory and what it means. A research study found that 2 day old babies preferred to hear a "familiar" voice (mother's) and story, which was previously periodically told by his or her mother while still in the womb. This study demonstrated that fetal learning and memory do occur pre-labor

How Does Knowledge of the Foundations and History of Nursing Provide a Context in Which to Understand Current Practice? Identify at Least Three Trends in Nursing Practice from the "Nursing Timeline of...

764 words - 4 pages . To fully be able to comprehend and combat Alzheimer's disease, one must know what it does to the brain, the part of the human body it most greatly affects. Many Alzheimer's disease sufferers had their brains examined. A large number of differences were present when comparing the normal brain to the Alzheimer's brain. There was a loss of nerve cells from the Cerebral Cortex in the Alzheimer's victim. Approximately ten percent of the neurons in this

The Effects of Society on John Milton's from Paradise Lost, Amelia Lanier's from Eve's Apology in Defense of Women, and Richard Lovelace's To Althea from Prison

532 words - 3 pages ruler of England, and Cromwell is Lucifer, being the power-hungry servant that disobeys and betrays God. This comparison would not happen without the lost paradise in England that occurred after the king was able to regain his throne in his monarch government and society. Lanier wrote her criticism of the unfair treatment of women in the English society by looking past the current events of society. In from Eve's Apology in Defense of Women

Using Information and Evidence from Research/Lesson Stimulus Material, What Do Recent Trends in Family Life Tell Us About 'the Family' in Modern Britain?

1604 words - 7 pages “Using information and evidence from your research/lesson stimulus material, what do recent trends in family life tell us about ‘the family’ in modern Britain? (24 marks) One trend that tells us about family life in modern Britain is the changes in marriage patterns. This is because nowadays fewer people are marrying: rates are at their lowest since the 1920s. I believe that modern families nowadays are stronger without marriage due to the

How Significant Was the Work of Reforming Leaders in Changing the Nature of Russian Government and Society in the Period from 1856 to 1964?

2286 words - 10 pages and society, leaving significant impacts still recognised today in modern Russia. Looking at the debate from a structuralist view point, it is plain to see that other factors, such as war, famine and peasant revolution played a heavy part in changing the nature of Russian society and government, as peasants grew more tiresome and the ‘Intelligencia's’[1] western ideals began to influence peasants more than the ‘slavophiles’[2] once had. In my

Using Material from Item a and Elsewhere, Assess the Usefulness of Subcultural Theories in Explaining `Subcultural Crime and Deviance' in Society Today. (21 Marks)

782 words - 4 pages To define subculture, it’s where a number of individuals choose to be a part of a separate group that follow distinct norms and values different to those in mainstream society as stated in item A. Subcultures may contain norms and values that would be considered deviant in society and involve criminal activity. In Stanley Cohen’s view the subcultural crime and deviance today results from the inability of lower classes to achieve mainstream

Alienation In Modern Society Essay

1441 words - 6 pages Shallow Grave has alienated characters in modern society. David*, Juliet and Alex are the main characters of the film. After having cut the dead body of the forth roommate, David* began to behave strange. He isolated himself from others and moved to loft. He escaped from his social responsibilities and didnt go to his workplace. He realized that how he could be violent, he feels insecurity because the modern life seemed unpredictable and

Drugs In Modern Society Essay

1500 words - 6 pages Introduction Marijuana is a psychoactive drug made from the dried leaves and flowering parts of the hem plant (Dudley, 1999). Marijuana contains an active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC. It is one of the most strictly classified illegal drugs in the United States. Marijuana is a schedule I substance. Schedule I means that marijuana has a high potential for abuse. It is illegal to buy, sell, grow, or possess marijuana in the

Status Of Books In Modern Society

1041 words - 5 pages more efficient counterparts like the personal computer or tablet. Yet, the book holds a special place in our hearts: its final trump card. We should not be too quick to oust the book out of our lives even with the proliferation of suitable alternatives, for there is still indeed worth of the hard copy even in the frenzy of modern society. Evolution seems to have taken mankind back to square one, where the modern man (like his ancestors

The Roles Of Men And Women In Ancient Greek Society

541 words - 3 pages In most of the ancient Greek world, gender roles were fairly static throughout time and outside circumstances had little or no influence on gender construction. Men functioned within the public sphere, whereas women were restricted to the private, domestic sphere. This was the typical gender construction of most ancient societies, and remained so in much of the world until modern times.Unlike the women of Athens, Spartan women were taught