Ananda Yoga

Ananda Yoga is a classical style of Hatha Yoga that uses Asana and Pranayama to awaken, experience, and begin to control the subtle energies within oneself, especially the energies of the Chakras. Ananda Yoga is a relatively gentle, inward experience not an aggressive or aerobic practice. It was developed by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi.

One of the distinctive features of Ananda Yoga is that it aims for spiritual progress. Its object is to use those energies to harmonize body, mind, and soul, increasing your level of consciousness. Silent affirmation is done while doing a Yoga Pose. This is to bring the mind actively and directly into the practice. The center of Ananda Yoga is the way in which it helps our meditation, our stillness. Affirmations are not the goal; raising consciousness is the goal. But as Swami put it, affirmations "do help your consciousness," i.e., they are a means to the goal. It's about generating and increasing an inward and upward flow of energy in a safe, balanced, conscious way. Therefore, every part of Ananda Yoga�including and especially one's attitude�should contribute to this goal.

Ananda Yoga includes Asana, Pranayama, Yogic meditation techniques, and applied Yoga philosophy.

Above all, the essence of Ananda Yoga is the vibration of Paramhansa Yogananda. Earlier I said that each yoga tradition is a "specific ray of divine grace." In Ananda's case, that ray comes through Yogananda. Kriyananda drew upon that ray in order to develop Ananda Yoga. It doesn't matter whether you are a disciple or not. Great Masters will aid anyone who calls upon them. If you really want to feel the essence of Ananda Yoga, call upon Paramhansa Yogananda. Ask for his guidance, and try to tune in to his consciousness.

For more information about Ananda Yoga, visit www.ExpandingLight.org.

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