Due to the growing awareness of health, yoga is now becoming a part of health culture. It has been proven and accepted that yoga is more effective than lifting weights in gym.

Yoga helps in refreshing the body, soul and mind. And, in present scenario, where, there is no peace of mind, here emerges a need of yoga, which helps an individual in regaining peace of mind. However, it is not possible for everyone to join yoga classes, may be due to their busy schedule. But, this doesn’t mean that they will not be able to know the various aspects of yoga. Fortunately, they can gain knowledge about yoga by means of yoga books.

Basically, yoga books carry all the content which is needed by an individual to know about it. Yoga books tell us about various postures of body which helps in curing particular diseases. In other words, it contains a whole range of ‘asanas’, with full description of the ways of doing it.

Yoga books also describes that which posture of yoga helps in alleviating particular problem, as different postures of yoga, tone up the different parts of body.

Since ancient times, yoga is considered as one of the best methods to achieve nirvana. It is also regarded as the cord between individuals and cosmic consciousness. Yoga embraces physical and mental exercises which results in Eternal enlightenment. Physical exercise includes various postures, known as ‘asanas’ which improves the structure, blood circulation and strengthen the body. On the other hand, mental exercise includes meditation, breathing techniques which rejuvenate and refresh the inner soul.

With the help of regular yoga, not only peace of mind is gained rather it also helps in coping up with problems such as asthma, increasing stamina, constipation, diabetes, stress and other physical and mental illnesses.

But, an individual performing yoga must have full knowledge about the right posture while doing various ‘asanas’, ‘pranayama’, and ‘dyana’ because wrong posture can put an adverse effect on the body.

Thus, yoga books are an effective means of knowing the various yoga postures and its effect on the body. And, it is definitely sure that yoga done with open and gentle mind will refresh your soul and along that it will also provide you the way to lead a positive and healthy life.

A typical yoga routine can last anywhere from twenty minutes to two hours. It consists of poses, which can be done quickly to create heat in the body, or slowly to increase stamina. The difficulty of the routine can vary from simple breathing exercises, while doing light stretching, to full blown strenuous workouts. For best results, daily yoga workouts are recommended. While performing basic positions has an immediate effect on well-being, strength and flexibility, it takes years of daily practice to achieve the deep stretches that many people strive for.

Yoga can be learned in a gym setting by a yoga teacher, or at home from yoga books. No equipment is needed other than perhaps a mat to sit on. There should be plenty of flat floor space to stretch out on and enough room above the head to raise the arms. Yoga is best done on an empty stomach while wearing loose-fitting comfortable clothing.

The health benefits of yoga are numerous. Yoga aids in sleep and digestion. It can make people look and feel more youthful. It increases overall well being and help the mind achieve a state of relaxation. It makes the body more flexible. It also strengthens the immune system and decreases chronic pain. Yoga stimulates and massages the internal organs, which helps keep away disease. The stretching of muscles and joints encourages optimum blood flow to all of the organs, which in turn has the effect of flushing out toxins. In terms of weight loss, yoga helps to speed up metabolism and that aids in burning calories. Yoga also helps to strengthen and tone muscles.

Anyone can do yoga, regardless of age. Women who are pregnant or nursing can do yoga, as well. It is important to consult a physician prior to beginning a yoga regime if injuries, spinal problems, or other medical conditions exist. There are no side effects of doing yoga. Beginners may experience soreness and fatigue. It is important for beginners not to stretch too much too fast.

Yoga should not be confused with Pilates. Yoga focuses on flexibility and toning the entire body. It has a greater emphasis on mental and spiritual enhancement. Pilates is more geared towards toning the core and improving posture with less emphasis on flexibility. Pilates has more of an emphasis on the physical than spiritual. There are classes that combine the principals of both into one class called “Yogalates”.

The ancient yogis of India discovered the relation between the mind and breathing. When a person is agitated his breathing becomes faster and when he is very calm it is slower. The yogis revealed that by controlling the breath we could control the mind. Anyone can experience this by breathing deeply and slowly for a few minutes. The mind becomes calmer and the heart rate slower.

But this is not enough to completely still the mind and experience our real nature. In order to achieve this it is necessary to employ more effective methods. Kriya Yoga (a form of Raja yoga) is such a method which prevents the electrical impulses from going out of the brain and spinal cord so that external world ceases to exist as for as the person who is meditating is concerned enabling him to experience a state of conscious sleep. This state is different from natural sleep, which is involuntary. With constant practice a person will be able to withdraw the life force from the senses at will and enjoy that state of bliss.

The actual technique of Kriya Yoga shall not be explained in an article meant for general public. It creates a powerful electromagnetic field around the spinal cord by making the life force move up and down the spinal cord. This field withdraws the electrical impulses from all the senses so that the soul is cut off from the outer world. In the highest state of meditation called Samadhi, the person goes into a state of suspended animation. Heart ceases to beat, there will be no breathing and all the functions of body come to a stand still but the person continues to be alive. This may sound strange for many people but is true.

It is important to remember that one cannot experience the highest state of yoga within a short period. Though the technique of Kriya Yoga is not complicated it takes several years of constant practice to experience the results.

It is equally important to understand that in order to progress spiritually one has to lead a moral and disciplined life. If anyone thinks that he can commit all sorts of crimes and indulge in immoral activities but still benefit from Kriya Yoga he is completely mistaken. Those who are serious about their spiritual progress should eschew alcoholic drinks and smoking not to mention any drug of addiction. It is highly desirable to be a pure vegetarian. Consumption of meat causes certain biochemical changes in the blood making it difficult to control the mind.

Raja yoga is a scientific method of controlling the mind, reversing the flow of life force and experiencing our true nature. It is the greatest gift India has given to the world. It is universal in nature. It does not interfere with the religious faith of anyone, as it is based on psycho-physiological principles. People can have their own concept of god and continue to perform any other rituals of their religion. Kriya yoga will help them to feel the presence of god within irrespective of their concept of god. Then they will also realize that god defies definition and conceptualization.

The knowledge and practice of yoga elevates humanity to a higher level and reduces conflicts in the world. It will help ushering in an era of peace and harmony. Those who are seriously interested in learning Kriya Yoga can contact the Self Realization Fellowship society at Los Angeles in USA or if they are nearer to India contact the sister organization Yogoda Satsanga Society of India situated at Dakshineswar, near Kolkata and a branch at Ranchi in India

“Your only duty is to act and not to hanker after the fruits (or the results) thereof.’ Be not the purpose of your actions. Let not the work bind and blind you. Work with total non-attachment and selfless attitude.”

In Karma Yoga the seeker is working with the hope and aspiration of serving God. In Karma yoga the seeker’s only desire is to fulfil the will of God. In the eyes of the world an action can be judged on how significant it is. However to a Karma Yogin even the smallest of actions becomes of the utmost importance, if it is performed with the correct attitude.

A Karmin yogi does not believe in the path of renunciation. Unlike a jnani yogi a Karma yogi aspires to serve God through serving God in humanity. Sri Chinmoy says of Karma Yoga.

“Karma Yoga is desireless action undertaken for the sake of the Supreme. Karma Yoga is man’s genuine acceptance of his earthly existence. Karma Yoga is man’s dauntless march across the battlefield of life.”

We do not have to be a Hindu or even believe in God to practise Karma Yoga. If we feel we are working not for ourselves but for the cause of the divine then we are bringing the ideals of Karma yoga into the heart of humanity. By serving a higher cause with an attitude of detachment we learn to conquer the ego. The Karmin yoga makes progress by growing in to a more illumined consciousness. By doing this we no longer feel to be only our individual ego. We come to identify ourselves with the rest of humanity.

Background of Karma yoga: In the Bhagavad-Gita there is a chapter on the entire process of Karma yoga. The dialogue takes place between Arjuna and lord Krishna. In this episode the lord explains and enlightens him of all the yoga systems including Karma yoga. The Hindu philosophies comprehend on karma and samskar. Hindu’s believe that every individual’s are born with definite karma, positive or negative. The cycle of life and past life continues till the individual arrives at zero balance and they are then believed to have reached liberation.

Concept of Karma yoga: ”Karma” is a Sanskrit derivative from ”kri” means ”to do”. Yoga transforms with the ”union”. The literal meaning of karma yoga is ”course of union through action”. Even Adi Shankaracharya has said that with practice of karma the mind purifies. Karma yoga is first step to Jnana Yoga and finally towards salvation. Principle rules of Karma yoga: The key rules of Karma yoga lie in two decrees yama and niyama. Yama deals with conduct towards others while, niyama is meant with conduct in.

Benefits of Karma yoga: Karma yoga brings closer to the god. With development of tolerance and oneness he or she feels unified with all creation. The attainment of spiritual powers is the next step in karma yoga. A true karma yogi serves people selflessly and is respected in the society. This happens with practice of Karma yoga and can be felt. One of the greatest Karma yogi of all times is Gautama Buddha.