Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning union. The joining or union refers to the merger of the individual self with a deity(s) or the infinite. Yoga consists of various mental, physical, and spiritual techniques, such as study of scriptures or books, ecstatic chanting and dancing, meditative physical postures, use of magickal formulae to heal or transform reality, breathing exercises, and a wide range of other practices. Hatha yoga, which is the most common form in the West employs postures, concentration, and meditation, and rhythmic or conscious breathing.
There are several reasons why hatha yoga can supplement Earth-Based Religious practice, such as Wicca. Yoga aids in putting the person in a meditative, listening mode to open up their intuition and sight to nature, Gods, Goddesses, trees, and all sentient beings. Use of breathing exercises, physical postures, chanting (mantras), and meditation exercises are all incorporated into yoga practice. Yoga practice can also be useful in reconstructing elements of other Indo-European traditions that have been lost such as chanting, invocation, meditation, and even possible systems of physical posture, breath and body control. An example of a possible revival is the use of �Runic Yoga�, which employs physical poses and meditation with the magickal alphabet or runes of the Norse people. There are references made to the Druids practicing physical and mental control by placing a heavy stone on their stomach and lying in a dark room. Meditation on a deity form or archetype is a wonderful way to introduce new students to communication with Gods and Goddesses.
Yoga opens up and awakens the inner pathways to power of all kinds, such as opening the chakras, removing obstacles, awakens kundalini energy at a safe, slow pace, and prepares the person to channel such energy in a safe manner. Yoga exercise also purifies the astral channels of the body and makes the practitioner more aware of and better able to store and channel energy or life force for healing and other uses. Yoga increases concentration and focus, which are prerequisites to meditation, and invaluable aids in all magickal practice. Learning concentration, basic relaxation, and grounding exercises should be a precursor to learning any advanced magickal techniques.
Unlike some traditions which reject the physical body as dirty or impure, Wicca celebrates and embraces the human body as an instrument for learning, growing, and experiencing the joy of life. Taking care of your body shows reverence for it�s physical form which is gift from the Gods, also if we do not take care of ourselves (physical, mentally, and spiritually) we are not fit to take care of our families and perform our duties in life. Yoga substantially increases overall health on all levels. While this attitude toward the body may seem to contradict the preconceived ideals some Westerners hold about yoga and Hinduism it should also be pointed out that Hinduism has produced literature such as the Kama Sutra and the Tantric traditions as well. The common Pagan term �sky-clad� is a direct translation for the Sanskrit term �digambara� which was used by followers of Eastern paths who preferred to worship or work nude.
The following are some sample practice exercises that use yogic methods. Practice in a well-ventilated room or outdoors if possible. Turn off all distracting noises such as the television and radio. The first two can be practiced in the yoga Savasan pose (lying flat on your back). The breathing exercises should be performed in a posture that allows for the spine to be erect such as the yoga Padmasana or sitting in a comfortable chair with a straight back.
Grounding Exercise for Yoga: Visualize yourself as a tree with roots connecting deep into the ground and branches and leaves opening to the sky and sun. Unite with the powers of Mother Earth and Father Sky and the Sun within it. Reach out to the 4 elemental forces. Reach out the spirits of the trees, flowers, and plants. See the moon rising in the sky as reach out to merge with the powers it brings. Once you are connected you can release any excess or negative energy into Mother Earth, who will transform it over time into positive energy.
Relaxation Exercise for Yoga: Visualize a wave of total relaxation washing down over your body. As the flow continues down your body use autosuggestion to tell specific parts of your body to relax. Repeat mentally: �My eye are relaxing...My eyes are relaxed.� Start with your head and work downward toward the feet. If come to any area where you feel stress, tension, or discomfort, take a deep breath drawing in energy and mentally send the unwanted feeling out with the breath. Continue until you have reached your feet. Feel your body completely relaxed and at rest. Take a few deep abdominal breaths focusing on the three phases of breath (inhalation, retention, exhalation). As you inhale feel you are bringing energy into the yourself and recharging every cell of the body.
Basic Breath-- (also called Abdominal or Diaphragmatic Breath)-- sit in the Lotus pose or Padmasana or other meditative posture. Inhale through both nostrils, retain the breath, then gently exhale. The time ratio between the inhalation, retention, and exhalation is a ratio of 1:4:2. For example, inhale (5 seconds), retain ( 20 seconds) , exhale (10 seconds). If you become tired or tense during class lie on your back for a few deep abdominal breaths.
Anuloma Viloma--This exercise is also called alternate nostril breathing. Use the Vishnu mudra (hold hand up and bring the index and middle fingers down against the palm) to close your right nostril with your thumb. Inhale through the left nostril. Pinch the fingers together to close both nostrils. This is the retention phase. Release the right nostril and exhale through the right side. Inhale through the right side. Again use the fingers to close both nostrils and retain. Move the ring finger and the pinky to exhale left. Repeat several times. Work up to a ratio of 1:4:2. Sivananda Pranayam-- Meditate on a spiritual focus while performing this. Inhale through both nostrils. Retain the breath as long as is comfortable. Exhale as long as comfortable. This was developed to give a spiritually based alternative for individuals whose lungs cannot handle the more difficult methods. (A personal note from Couggar, the founder of the Woodland Celtic Wiccan Tradition, �One of the most powerful spiritual awakenings of my life occurred while reaching out to the divine and performing this breathing exercise right after Hatha Yoga practice one day.�)
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