What is Yoga?

What is “Yoga”?

Yoga is not a religion but it is a way to connect to God or source or the universe whatever you want to call it 

Yoga is not just a workout however, it is really beneficial for the body.

And I’m sure you hear a lot of people talk about how deep yoga is but I want to give it to you in the way that I’m learning so that there are fewer misconceptions.

The way I see it yoga is an ancient self-care toolkit that helps people like you and I learn how to take care of our mind and our body which we have been told through sacred texts is a temple s Of the Divine 

and when you incorporate this aspect of self-study known as  “Shemsu Maat Hotep”  the study of balance and harmony of mind, body and spirit, 

and when you incorporate practices like journaling, 

And of course the movement practice your “Nun or Flow”  

and controlling your “Shu” by tying in some of the simple breathing practices like rule of four breathing and cleansing breaths 

and you make time for stillness AKA meditation and you practice this with Strength, Concentration, Consistency and with non-attachment 

you begin to discover that there is a sense of peace that surpasses understanding— that without a combination of all of these practices together you may not have been able to access with this level of self-actualization with ease

YOGA AROUND THE WORLD:

Ancient yoga practices around the world encompass various traditions that emerged from different cultures, each with unique methods of spiritual and physical development. Here are some of the notable ancient yoga or yoga-like practices from various regions:

Indian Yoga Tradition

Raja Yoga: Focuses on meditation and mental discipline, derived from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Hatha Yoga: Emphasizes physical postures and breath control.

Karma Yoga: The yoga of selfless action.

Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion and love toward the Divine.

Jnana Yoga: The yoga of knowledge and wisdom.

 Tantra Yoga: Practices involving the union of masculine and feminine energies, rituals, and meditation.

 Mantra Yoga: Focuses on sound vibrations and chanting.

Laya Yoga: Concentrates on merging the individual mind into cosmic consciousness.

Kemetic Yoga (Egypt)

Rooted in the ancient spiritual practices of Kemet (Egypt).

 Uses poses inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, emphasizing controlled breathing, alignment, and meditation.

Focuses on the flow of energy (life force) and spiritual awakening.

Taoist Yoga (China)

 Also known as Qigong or Daoyin, this practice integrates breath control, movement, and meditation.

 Emphasizes the cultivation of life force energy (Qi) for health, longevity, and spiritual awakening.

 Includes slow, flowing movements and stillness, often related to nature.

Tibetan Yoga (Tibet)

  Known as Tsa Lung or Tummo, Tibetan yoga combines physical postures, breath control, and meditative visualization.

  Focuses on controlling the inner winds (prana) and awakening the inner fire (Tummo).

  It is part of the broader Tibetan Buddhist spiritual practice.

Sufi Yoga (Middle East)

Also referred to as Sufi Whirling or Sema, this practice is a form of moving meditation used by Sufi dervishes.

Combines music, poetry, and whirling to achieve a state of spiritual ecstasy and union with the Divine.  Emphasizes devotion, love, and mystical experiences.

Native American Spiritual Practices (Americas)

Although not called yoga, many Native American practices include elements of mindfulness, movement, and breath work.

  Examples include the Sun Dance and Sweat Lodge ceremonies, which focus on physical endurance, purification, and spiritual connection with nature and ancestors.

Some tribes also practice Earth-based meditations and rituals that involve breath work and energy flow.

African Traditional Practices

 Various African spiritual traditions incorporate elements similar to yoga, focusing on breath work, movement, and energy alignment.

Kemetic Yoga is a modern revival, but other African practices emphasize connection to ancestors, nature, and the divine through rituals, dance, and meditation.

Zulu Spiritual Practices include movements and meditations linked to ancestral veneration and energy alignment.

Mayan Yoga (Mesoamerica)

Ancient Mayans had a deep spiritual connection to the cosmos, and their rituals involved meditative practices, breath work, and sacred movements.

Though not formally called yoga, Mayan spiritual practices aimed at balancing physical, mental, and spiritual energies.

These traditions demonstrate that yoga-like practices have existed across various cultures, each with its unique approach to connecting the body, mind, and spirit. While the terminology and methods differ, the underlying principles of breath control, movement, and meditation are common threads in these ancient traditions.