Integral
Integral Yoga, developed by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Richard (”the Mother”, born Mirra Alfassa) in the early 1900s, is a combination of Hatha, Tantra, Raja, Jnana, Karma and Bhakti Yoga. Integral Yoga is focused on developing and transforming the entire being: Physically, Vitally, Mentally, Psychically, and Spiritually. While the aim of all yoga styles is to achieve union with God, Integral Yoga also aims to achieve realization of the Divine in the physical world through a supramental transformation of human nature.
Sri Aurobino Ashram site: www.sriaurobindoashram.org
Based out of: Pondicherry, India
In the USA, Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga is now being practiced under the name ‘Purna Yoga’.
Please see: “Purna / Poorna”
Integral (Sri Swami Satchidananda)
Integral Yoga (trademark), founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda in 1966, is a complete and flexible yoga system integrating Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, Jnana and Japa Yoga for the purpose of realizing spiritual unity with all of creation (Samadhi).
Integral Yoga is practiced by leading a natural life and caring for the human temple (hatha), gaining mastery over the mind (raja), being devoted to your chosen form of God (bhakti), living every action yogicly (karma), self-analysis meditation (jnana), and mantra repitition (japa).
Official sites: www.iyiva.org , www.yogaville.org
Based out of: Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, Virginia, USA
ISHTA
ISHTA is an acronym for the ‘Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda’ and the word ‘Ishta’ also has a Sanskrit meaning: that which resonates with the individual spirit.
ISHTA Yoga brings together the methods and practices of multiple yoga styles so that students can best personalize their yoga practices according to individual needs. Developed by Kavi Yogi Swarananda Mani Finger and his son Yogiraj Alan Finger during the 1960s, ISHTA Yoga includes the teachings of numerous Hatha yoga lineages (Kriya, Sivananda, Iyengar, etc) and Tantra yoga.
ISHTA Yoga is a complete yoga system where you tune into yourself to discover which asanas best prepare your body, which breathing and visualization exercises best still your mind, and which meditation techniques best expand your awareness. Vinyasa flow, visualization meditation, and creating balance in life are also important elements of ISHTA Yoga practice. Contact: Wendy (Nandiva) Wood
Ishta School of Yoga & Health, 121 Atholl Road, Illovo.
Tel: (011) 887 2027; Cell: 082 338 8153;Email: nandiva@wol.co.za; Web: www.yoga-sa.com
Official site: www.ishtayoga.com
Based out of: New York, USA (originally of South Africa)
See also: “Hatha”, “Tantra”, “Vinyasa / Vinyasa Flow”, “Sivananda / Sivananda Yoga Vedanta”, “Kriya” and “Iyengar”
Yoga is a way of life, a conscious act, not a set or series of learning principles. The dexterity, grace, and poise you cultivate, as a matter of course, is the natural outcome of regular practice. You require no major effort. In fact trying hard will turn your practices into a humdrum, painful, even injurious routine and will eventually slow down your progress. Subsequently, and interestingly, the therapeutic effect of Yoga is the direct result of involving the mind totally in inspiring (breathing) the body to awaken. Yoga is probably the only form of physical activity that massages each and every one of the body’s glands and organs. This includes the prostate, a gland that seldom, if ever, gets externally stimulated in one’s whole life.
http://www.coomararunodaya.com