Principles of Yoga

The five principles of yoga define yoga as a practiced lifestyle.  These have been developed by Swami Sivananda into the yoga that is studied today.

A simplified version of the eight principles outlined in the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, Sivananda's 5 Principles bring:

• Balance to the Body and Mind
• Equilibrium of Emotions and Passions 
• Overall Wellness
• Ability to Be the Best You
• Satisfaction of Life 

We function, achieve, and grow on a fine line, or balance, between our thoughts, actions, and reactions. By practicing these five principles, we unite the aspects of self and the material of which we are made - which esentially is yoga.

Proper Exercise

Our physical body is comprised of many intricate systems, one affecting the other on a delicate balance. Yoga asana develops and strengthens each system of the body, which also strengthens how the function together. As a vehicle of the spirit and stimulator of the mind, our physical self is a reflection of our total well-being.

Yoga asana practice brings flexibility and suppleness to our spine, which houses our energy stores. The movement of our vital life force, prana, is a major aspect of yoga and kundalini, and it is also taught that the chakra system is rooted along the same column. Asana releases synovial fluid to lubricate the joints of the vetebral column, cleansing and rejuvenating the spine for viscosity and elasticity.

During asana practice, heat is created, improving circulation. This not only assists in the health of the muscles and lubricating the joints of the body, but also brings fresh oxygen to all the systems. This helps to develop mental clarity and focus, proper digestion and elimination, and brings greater expansion to the lungs in preparation for yogic breathing.

With dedicated practice of yoga, vital functions of the body become balanced, our posture corrects, and our body strengthens to maintain a healthy emotional and logical state. Asana movement should always be fluid and natural to the physical capacities of each person.

Proper Relaxation

hrough physical stress-release, our mental awareness and inner patterns sharpen. After mastering asana, we must learn to properly relax. Injuries and physical disturbance effect how and to what depth we are able to relax. Relaxation begins in the mind and it is imperative to be ready to accept true relaxation before attempting it.

Though relaxation techniques are generally practiced in a supine position, such as Corpse Pose, as your yogic path progresses your mental abilities will also progress. These techniques involve a voluntary letting-go of tension. This takes time and dedication. Your practice should last more than five minutes in a quiet and comfortable setting. In your practice, you will learn to send your body signals of release and control of breath.

In the state of relaxation, you are conserving energy, bringing inner strength and wellness and energizing the nervous system. You become unnaffected by common worries and the energy released in asana practice is re-absorbed so that you truly benefit from them. Relaxing connects all of your consciousness on the inner to set the building blocks of psychological and spiritual development.

Proper Breathing

Our breath and breathing patterns are a reflection of our inner state. Conversly, control of the breath controls and affects our inner well-being; emotions and hormones. Breath and relaxation share common elements and must be synchronized for progress.

Proper breathing does not only include the obvious inhale and exhale, but also the space and retention in between. During the deep rythmic breath of rest or sleep, our breath is complete and unhindered. We relax and are able to rejuvenate the body's systems, obtain a lucidity of mind, and a clarity of direction. We are able to dream and release pieces of thought, emotion, and desires not realized or actualized within our waking day. Imagine what one could achieve with this clarity if it were permanent through our consciousness and waking process of thought and action.

Our breath, or breathing of yoga, is a four-part conscious action. It is prana (life force) ayama (control), or control of our life force. The four parts consist of:

The Inhalation (Puraka)
Expanded Retention (Kumbhaka)
Exhalation (rechak)
Contracted Retention (Kumbhaka)

The inhalation is a stimulation, an oxygenation. During both phases of breath retention, our bodys metabolism and temperature fluctuates as our oxygen uptake spikes. Finally, we are cleansed during the process of exhalation. Toxins are pressed from our body during the muscular contraction and empyting lift of the diaphram. During a single breath, our energy is moved, maintaining vital balance.

Proper Diet

While we may not be what we eat, we are limited either in a positive or negative factor by what we eat. Our body and mind desires balance and easily accepts a healthy diet rich in nutrients, whole grains, protiens, vegetables, and fruit. The proper yogic diet is one unprocessed, unbleached, and native to the area you are in.

This consists not only of what you ingest, but the amount. Eating too little or overeating is detrimintal to your physical well-being, mentality, and often reflects your emotional state. The first step in taking your eating habits towards the direction your health craves, is to be conscious of eating patterns and foods that you commonly crave. When you are aware of what is happening when a craving arises, why you are attracted to foods that are understood to be unhealthy, and why you are excusing those behaviors in your own mind.

The world of food and eating is colorful as it is flavorful. Nourishing your body is truly a joy and should be entered as one. Take a look around your local fresh market and find the time to acquaint yourself with the abundancy of living foods.

Positive Thinking & Meditation

The bulk of your thought and feelings at any given time started with the small seed of intention within yourself. Intention sets root to direction: direction of desire, direction of aspiration, direction of thought process and action. It starts, truly and inexcusably within.

The moment you decide that the positive and peaceful aspects of existing will be yours is the moment that the world begins to reflect the same. This is all part of the concept of karma, or of positive energy attracting positive energy. It takes the motion within you. It can be any moment. And it can be now.

Through yoga, or positive thought and mindful meditation, we are what we think. As our perspective of our self and of life grows and develops so does the self, the spirit. The place in which the seeds we plant within are able to grow. Our life no longer encompasses that which is negative and the pieces that make us - the mind, the body, and the spirit will be singular, non-dependent, and calm.





The principles of yoga are intrinsic. They are possibly what your granmother tried to teach you as a child, what your doctor has recommended, or how you feel in a personal situation. In the concepts that yoga is designed upon, these principles are a truth within our physical, intellectual and spritual self. The first principle of yoga is that it must be the self that adopts yoga and discontinues the struggle of living within the bounds of society, of institutional doctrine, or of habit - and lives to simply be. And follow the natural path of bliss within you and without you.