...brities increase their presence by coming out with their own yoga fitness wear. Fitness and sports clothing, too, has become a leading American industry.

The original yoga concept is only partially met by American fascination with fitness and fashion. yoga goes much farther than this, and many yogis strive to keep this full meaning alive. One concept they adhere to and strive to bring to others is that of having a guru. The word guru has attained a negative connotation in the West, where society tends to reward personal achievement. And, as described above, they also tend to associate gurus with people of Indian descent. With native Indian people in short supply in the United States, they feel that they could not find or afford a guru of their own.

But perhaps they need to let go of their views that gurus can only be Indian.

In today's Westernized yoga traditions, who is better to be a guru to you than a Western practitioner? Only a Westerner can really understand the fierce independence and pride installed in most of us from an early age....more

A Beginner's Guide to Popular yoga Types

..."Sun Salutations" as warm-up. These match physical movement with breath. More strenuous stretching movements are done toward the end of the class.

As we discuss the more specific types of yoga, you'll see many are named after the teachers that invented them:

Kundalini - This Vinyasa type of yoga uses quick, repeated movements rather than long position holds. There may even be some chanting or call and response techniques used during the class. Kundalini holds the breath control during posture performance as essential. The expected result is energy moving from the lower body to the upper.

Bikram/Hot - This is usually referred to as "Hot yoga," and was initiated by Bikram Choudhury. In its full version it is a series of 26 moves, but not all are used in all classes. As its name implies, it is practiced in a hot room - about 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This allow...more

Hatha yoga

...or concentrate better also allowing you to use chants to free your spiritual mind.

Dhyana: Dhyana is an enhanced form of meditation where the concentration is focused on a single point.

Samadhi: Samadhi teaches you how to attain the essential state of joy. The definition of Samadhi literally means transcendental bliss. The exercises in Samadhi yoga are more vigorous than with other forms.

Trancendental Bliss or Samadhi is a state in which the individual mind, freed for a time from all material limits takes the form of supreme, omnipotent and omnipresent mind and gains enlightenment." Shri Brahmananda Saraswati (A great yogi, doctor and founder of the Ananda Ashram)

When unaffected by culture, place, time, or circumstance, these principles are universal. They constitute the Great Vow." -Patanjali's yoga Sutras, 2.31

The Self cannot be gained by one devoid of strength. Mundaka Upanishad iii :2:3<...more

The Wonders Of yoga

...There is a increasing trend to practicing yoga for many different reasons, which include attaining the yoga body or physique, relaxation and peace of mind, or to prevent injury and ailments. The most commonly practiced is Hatha yoga, which focuses on postures and stretching the body.

The word Yoga means 'union', it is an appropriately descriptive term since yoga's principles are based on the notion that the body and mind cannot and should not be considered as being separate from each other.

For hundreds of years Yoga has helped millions maintain flexibility, good health, and a positive outlook. Tod...more