Definition & Types
Yoga can be defined as a way of life that includes ethical precepts, dietary prescriptions, exercises and other relevant practices. Yoga is also described as a practice for the development of body, mind and spirit. Hindu scriptures like the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, theYoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and many others describe the usefulness and practices of Yoga.
There are six branches of Yoga, these are:
Hatha Yoga or Yoga of Postures,
Bhakti Yoga or Yoga of Devotion,
Raja Yoga or Yoga of Self-Control,
Jnana Yoga or Yoga of the Mind,
Karma Yoga or Yoga of Service and
Tantra Yoga or Yoga of Rituals. In India yoga is seen as a means to both physiological and spiritual mastery. Outside India,
Advantages
Why should we practice yoga? The very precise answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit.Yoga makes you live comfortably and without any disease, for a longer time.
For initial learners, yoga is good for what ails you. Intensive research has revealed that yoga helps manage, control or cure anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure,
carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other
conditions and diseases.
Organizations
Organizations recognized by the International Yoga Federation
1) Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission (SwamiVivekananda)
2) Self-Realization Fellowship(Swami Yogananda)
3) Ramana Maharsri (Sri Ramana)
4) Sri Auroibndo Ashram (Sri Aurobindo)
5) Auroville (Aurobindo City)
6) Divine Life Society (Swami Sivananda)
7) International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres (Swami Vishnudevananda)
8) Yasodhara Ashram (Swami Sivananda Radha)
9) 3HO International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (Yogi Bhajan)
10) Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI) (Yogacharya Iyengar)
11) Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (Yogacharya Jois)
12) International Siddha Yoga Centres
13) Ananda Shanga (Swami Kriyananda)
14) Himalayan Institute Teachers Association (HITA) (Swami Rama)
15) International Yoga Teachers' Association Inc of Australia
16) California Yoga Teachers Association
17) Yoga Teachers Association of Australia
18) Dharma Central of U.S.A.
19) American Yoga Association
20) Yoga Federation of France
21) Danish Yoga Association
22) Yoga Teachers Federation of Ontario
23) Yoga Schools Federation of Luxemburg
24) Swiss Yoga Association
24) Hatha Yoga Federation of France
25) International Association of Yogatherapists YREC
26) International Centre For Yogic Arts and Sciences
27) National Yoga Confederation of Italy
28) Kiev Yoga Federation (Ukraine)
29) Yoga In Daily Life Organizations
30) International Yoga Studies of U.S.A.
31) European Yoga Union (Europe)
32) BKS Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States
33) Scottish Yoga Teachers' Association
34) International Black Yoga Teachers Association USA
35) Yoga Schools Federation of France
36) Integral Yoga International & Yogaville USA
37) International Yoga Teachers Association of Spain
38) Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
39) Independent Yoga Network U.K.
40) Yoga Bharati Assocation USA
41) Friends of Yoga of Autralia
42) Yoga Teachers Fellowship of South Africa
43) Yoga Research Foundation of USA
44) Amrit Yoga Institute of USA
45) Bikram Yoga College of India
46) Yoga Vidya Teacher's Association of Germany
47) Ananda Ashram Yoga Association of Italy
48) Yoga Alliance of U.S.A.
49) Italian Gitananda Yoga Federation
50) Hindu Union of Italy
51) Asanga Yogatherapy Centre of Spain
52) Art Of Yoga Slovenia Association
53) Assoc. Rezonance of Chezch Republic
54) Samata Yoga Centre of USA
55) The Yoga Institute (Sri Yogendra)
56) Vivekananda Yoga Anusadhana Samasthana
57) Kaivalyadhama Lonavla (Subodh Tiwari)
58) Yoga And Pshycotherapy Association of India
59) Swami Veda Bharati Organization
60) International Sri Deep Mdhavananda Ashram Fellowship Yoga in daily life.org
61) International Yoga Institute of Poland
62) International Yoga Institute of Canada
63) International Yoga Institute of Hong Kong, China
64) International Yoga Society India
65)International Yoga Association
66) Kali Ray International Yoga Association of Tri Yoga USA
67) World Yoga Foundation USA
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