Integral Yoga: For An Integrated Life

Integral yoga is a general term for the idea of yoga as a practice for the whole body and mind development. While the popular view of yoga mostly revolves around the yoga postures (or asanas), there are a number of other important elements to a complete practice of yoga.

In general there are 6 different branches that make up Integral Yoga, including Raja Yoga, Japa Yoga Hatha Yoga, Kriyas, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga.

You want more out of life. Perhaps you’re just tired of packing your body with food that’s nutritionally void. Maybe you’re starting to feel the lack of a spiritual center. Or maybe the constant stress of being at the beck-and-call of everything from smartphones to social network sites is starting to chip away at you. If so, it might be time to consider what Integral yoga can add to your life.

Why is it called Integral yoga?
Quite simply, because its goal is to integrate, or unite, the body, mind, and spirit. Instead of claiming to give students the answers to a well and happy life, it gives students the tools they need to start down their own path toward self-discovery. In fact, Integral yoga is all about living a life that’s healthy on—and off—the mat.

What does Integral yoga teach?
Like other forms of yoga, it became known to the western world when founder Sri Swami Satchidananda came to the United States in the 1960s. The guru developed a yoga system that blends physical development with spiritual fulfillment. Swami Satchidananda also wanted to inspire students to live in harmony with others. Other Integral yoga principles include nurturing unconditional love and compassion, creating a peace-filled life, developing a disciplined mind, and sharpening the intellect. His teachings have attracted hordes of students, including poet Allen Ginsberg, wellness expert Dr. Dean Ornish, actor Jeff Goldblum, and singer/songwriter Carole King.

The physical component of this system is based on Hatha yoga, which combines postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. These are perhaps the most recognizable parts of any yoga practice. By placing the body into precise positions, students start to see a host of benefits. For example, restorative postures, like child’s pose or reclining hero pose, are said to create feelings of relaxation. In contrast, postures such as eight-angle, dolphin plank, or crane pose tone arms and shoulders.

Breathing exercises are also an integral part of this yoga form. Students using the ocean breath technique find that it helps to focus energy during asanas, or postures. The method called equal breathing, on the other hand, is intended to calm the body—making it the perfect technique for unwinding after a day filled with nagging co-workers and bickering kids.

Another principle practice in Integral yoga is the use of exercises and breathing techniques designed to cleanse the body’s energy channels. Called kriya, a Sanskrit word for “action,” they’re used to create a very specific outcome. For example, a specific breathing pattern might be used to clear out the sinuses.

Did you know that Integral yoga can also sharpen the mind? Using methods based in jnana yoga, students practice self-analysis and study in order to free themselves from material objects. In fact, this school of thought is sometimes called the “yoga of knowledge.”

Why should I consider Integral yoga?
This isn’t the kind of high-impact yoga that’s going to melt away years’ worth of weight gain within a few weeks or give you instant six-pack abs. It is, however, an ideal practice if you want to makeover your entire life. Physically, it starts you on a slow, steady, and healthy path toward wellness. Over time, you’ll see those postures translate into lean muscles, flexible limbs, and better overall health. Integral yoga is so effective that its Hatha yoga program was incorporated into the book Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease.

Practitioners have credited Integral yoga with everything from developing their spirituality to nurturing their interpersonal relationships. Students have also credited the emphasis on self-analysis with changing their entire outlook on life. That makes Integral yoga an ideal tool for creating a life that’s rich in health and spirituality.

Students of Integral yoga also love the non-competitive atmosphere that encourages self-development. In other words, no one is going to judge you if you can’t twist yourself into a yoga pretzel—making this style perfect for students who have physical limitations or live with certain conditions, like multiple sclerosis. Remember, if you do live with a physical condition, it’s important to clear any exercise program with your doctor.

Integral yoga is a popular style, with centers located throughout the world. If you can’t find a center in your area, look for an Integral yoga DVD, CD, or book that can help you get started quickly and inexpensively.

The path to that “something more” you’re looking for is out there. Start looking for an Integral yoga program that will help you nurture a life that’s healthier and more spiritually grounded.