Siddha Yoga
Recently, it seems as though certain yogic practices are moving back towards a religious connection. This is precisely the case with Siddha yoga, which happens to be spiritual in nature.
Siddha yoga is a relatively new religious movement that is based mostly upon certain Hindu traditions. There are various “ashrams” (meeting areas) strewn throughout India, the United States, Australia, Great Britain and Japan. Unlike other forms of physical practice, this school believes in meditation, chanting, seva, and dakshina. Meditation in this sense is based upon concentration of breath. In fact, breath becomes a silent mantra as it flows in and out of the body.
Students that wish to partake in this type of class are often on a spiritual quest. You will find, as you explore different schools that some types of yoga are meant for physical fitness, while other types are meant as a spiritual trial. Siddha happens to be the spiritual sort. Even though this type tends to be drastically different from other types, there is still a great emphasis placed upon breathing. In fact, you will find that almost every form of yoga is focused upon breathing. This is solely due to the fact that it is impossible to become one with your mind and body unless you learn how to control your breathing.
If you want to learn a bit more about breathing, you can enroll in a Siddha yoga course, or you can try meditating on your own. To meditate on your own, enter a quiet, dark, room; sit in the middle of the floor in a comfortable position; and then focus on your breathing. Listen to the sound of your breathing above all else. Should other thoughts enter your mind, keep them out of your head as you continually concentrate on your breath. This will take a bit of discipline, though it will come easily if you try this routine daily.
In many ways, meditation and yoga tend to go hand in hand. Once you learn that your breath is as important as anything else in your life, you can then master most poses with ease.
Breathing may seem like a natural act until you learn that most of us breathe incorrectly. Learning to breathe properly for the first time is like, well, taking that first breath. If for nothing else, join a Siddha yoga course in order to hear yourself breathe.