What is the lotus position?
The lotus position is a seated pose in yoga and meditation.
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Yoga Facts
Yoga facts and facts about yogas, from the Random Facts shelf.
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Who wrote the Yoga Sutras?
The Yoga Sutras, the foundational text of classical yoga philosophy, are credited to the sage Patanjali, who probably lived sometime between about 200 BCE and 400 CE.
How many sutras are in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras?
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras contain about 196 short verses, called sutras, organized into four chapters.
What are the eight limbs of yoga?
Patanjali described yoga as an eight-part path, called ashtanga or the "eight limbs." It includes ethics, physical postures, breath control, and meditation.
How did Patanjali define yoga?
Patanjali defined yoga as quieting the restless activity of the mind, not as physical exercise.
Does the Yoga Sutras talk about yoga poses?
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras say very little about physical poses. Only a few verses mention asana, mostly as a steady, comfortable seat for meditation.
Who translated the Yoga Sutras into Arabic?
The Persian scholar al-Biruni translated the Yoga Sutras into Arabic in the 11th century.
What are the four chapters of the Yoga Sutras?
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are divided into four chapters called padas.
What book introduced yoga philosophy to many Westerners?
Swami Vivekananda's 1896 book "Raja Yoga" introduced yoga philosophy to many Western readers.
What is Kriya Yoga?
Paramahansa Yogananda taught Kriya Yoga, a meditation technique.
Who is called the father of modern yoga?
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is often called the "father of modern yoga."
Who were Krishnamacharya's famous students?
Krishnamacharya taught several of the most influential modern yoga teachers, including B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois, Indra Devi, and his son T.K.V. Desikachar.
Where did Krishnamacharya teach yoga?
Krishnamacharya ran a yoga school at the Mysore Palace under the support of the Maharaja of Mysore.
Where did Krishnamacharya study yoga?
Krishnamacharya said he studied yoga for more than seven years with a teacher in the Himalayas.
What is vinyasa?
Krishnamacharya helped develop vinyasa, a style of yoga that links movement with breath.
What book did Krishnamacharya write in 1934?
Krishnamacharya wrote "Yoga Makaranda" in 1934.
Why did B.K.S. Iyengar start yoga?
B.K.S. Iyengar was a sickly child, and he credited yoga with restoring his health.
What is "Light on Yoga"?
B.K.S. Iyengar's 1966 book "Light on Yoga" became a classic and has been translated into many languages.
Which famous violinist studied with Iyengar?
Violinist Yehudi Menuhin studied yoga with B.K.S. Iyengar and helped bring him to the West.
Why does Iyengar yoga use props?
B.K.S. Iyengar popularized yoga props like blocks, straps, and ropes.
Who is the Iyengar institute named after?
B.K.S. Iyengar's yoga institute in Pune is named after his wife, Ramamani.
How hard is it to become an Iyengar yoga teacher?
Iyengar yoga teacher certification is known for being rigorous.
Who founded Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga?
K. Pattabhi Jois developed Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga in Mysore, India.
How many series are in Ashtanga yoga?
Ashtanga yoga is organized into six series of poses.
When did Pattabhi Jois start studying yoga?
Pattabhi Jois began studying with Krishnamacharya at age 12.
How did Ashtanga influence power yoga?
Ashtanga yoga influenced the development of power yoga.
Which celebrities practiced Ashtanga yoga?
Celebrities like Madonna and Sting have practiced Ashtanga yoga.
Who opened the first yoga school in China?
Indra Devi opened a yoga school in Shanghai in 1939.
Which Hollywood stars studied with Indra Devi?
Indra Devi opened a yoga studio in Hollywood in 1947, and her students included Greta Garbo and Gloria Swanson.
Who was called the First Lady of Yoga?
Indra Devi was known as the "First Lady of Yoga."
Why is Rishikesh called the yoga capital of the world?
Rishikesh, India, is called the "Yoga Capital of the World."
How many basic poses are in Sivananda yoga?
Sivananda yoga is built around 12 basic poses.
What is Integral Yoga?
Swami Satchidananda founded Integral Yoga.
Did Swami Satchidananda translate the Yoga Sutras?
Swami Satchidananda published a widely read translation and commentary on the Yoga Sutras.
How is Gorakhnath linked to hatha yoga?
Gorakhnath is closely associated with the development of hatha yoga.
What is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika?
The "Hatha Yoga Pradipika," a 15th-century hatha yoga text, was written by Svatmarama in Gorakhnath's lineage.