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Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Clicking on the question will reveal the answer.

What is Yoga?

What is the goal of yoga?

The ultimate goal of all yoga practice is to live in the harmony of body, mind and inner self (soul.) Also to live in harmony with the universe and its Creator.

Does yoga involve more than asanas?

While a number of people think of yoga as mainly exercises or asanas, a complete “whole person” yoga practice involves much more. It includes meditation, pranayams and techniques from one or more of the main yogas which include:  bhakti, raja, jnana, karma, and laya.

Is yoga the same as Hinduism?

No. Hinduism is a religion. Although yoga has its roots in India (where many people practice both yoga and Hinduism), unlike Hinduism, yoga is not a religion but a science. One of the definitions of yoga is the science of harmonizing body, mind and inner self.

Ramakrishna Ananda is a Christian yogi. People from all paths and beliefs have studied yoga with him. 

Is yoga a religion?

No. Yoga is the science of harmonizing body, mind and spirit with the goal of living in a state of higher consciousness, spiritual awareness. People of all religious paths can practice yoga to help them go farther on their own path and live a more centered spiritual life.

Who should practice yoga?

Anyone. People of all ages and abilities can benefit from the practice of yoga. There are variations in the asanas for people with physical limitations and a variety of meditation styles and higher yoga techniques to release mental turbulence. However, it is  advisable to check with a medical practitioner if you have significant physical, mental or emotional issues.

What are the main characteristics for success in yoga?

Sincerity, steadiness and humility are essential to progress. If you sincerely want to experience higher consciousness, are steady in your practice and cultivate devotion, you will reap many benefits.

How to Use and Enjoy Yoga World

What is the best way to get started on Yoga World?

One of the best ways to start your Yoga World journey and get to know Ramakrishna Ananda is to start with the First Steps videos or the Yoga Basics talks. These videos will get you launched on a unique yoga practice with instruction from Ramakrishna Ananda, a yoga master and guru.

How can Yoga World help me develop a meditation practice?

Many of the Yoga World videos, talks and writings will help you discover the meditation style that works best for you. A good place to start is with the Higher Yoga talks and meditation videos and talks.

Since I have been practicing yoga for a while, can Yoga World help me go farther?

When you practice the meditation and higher yoga techniques in our videos, talks and writings with sincerity and steadiness, you’ll be able to progress more quickly on your path.

Will I receive darshan from watching Ramakrishna Ananda’s videos?

Darshan is spiritual upliftment and blessings from being in the presence of an enlightened yogi, guru, saint or other high spiritual being. We think you will find Ramakrishna Ananda’s videos a blessing to your life.

Do I need to go through the Yoga World videos and talks in a particular order?

It is not necessary to enjoy them in a particular order. You can start by simply going to topics that are particularly interesting to you. However, if you want to develop a personal yoga practice, we recommend you begin with First Steps.

How do I make contact if I am having a problem on the Yoga World website?

Complete the Contact Us form in the About section. Make sure to be specific about the problem you are having and we’ll do our best to help.

Will Yoga World always be free?

Yes, Yoga World will always be free. There is no premium content behind a paywall. Ramakrishna Ananda wants to be sure that the yoga truths, practices and information in Yoga World is available all people everywhere.

What is the source of the quotes at the bottom of video pages?

These come from Ramakrishna Ananda words in the video. At times the quote have been edited for clarity.

What do the icons on some thumbnails mean?

The microphone icon represents that this is a audio, not a video.

The page icon represents that this is an written article.

The scripted “S” refers to an online seminar.

The scripted “R” refers to an online retreat.

And, the scripted “M” is a Mystery.

Devotional Yoga

How do yogis define God?

Satchitananda:  God is existence, consciousness and bliss. Many people who practice bhakti yoga choose to focus their devotional practices on an “ishta,” a particular form of a great person — such as Jesus, Buddha or Krishna — who represents God to them.

Why do yogis chant?

Chanting harmonizes the mind and emotions and is an excellent practice to do before meditation. Sri Ramakrishna, the great yogi from the 19th century, taught that chanting God’s name and glories is an important way to experience moods of love and attune with God.

Who should practice bhakti yoga?

Everyone can benefit from the practices of bhakti yoga because they help open the heart center, increasing love and compassion. Bhakti yoga is suited to those of a dominantly feeling, emotional nature. Sri Ramakrishna taught that bhakti yoga is the quickest, most effective yoga for people in modern times.

The Higher Yogas

What are the higher yogas?

The higher yogas include meditation, life mastery techniques and yoga philosophy that help you experience the peace, love, and joy of your inner self. Higher yogas typically include practices from the main yogas including bhakti, raja, jnana and karma yoga.

Why are the higher yogas important?

To get the most out of your yoga practice, to experience the power, joy and peace of your true self and, ultimately, to live in a state of higher consciousness, it is important to practice the meditation and life skill techniques found in the higher yoga teachings.

What are the main higher yogas?

Bhakti, raja, jnana, kriya, karma, laya yoga, meditation and pranayams are considered higher yoga practices.

What is meant by higher consciousness?

Higher consciousness is awareness of the universal power which sustains life. This consciousness not only maintains you physically but at every level — spiritually, mentally, emotionally and materially. This level of awareness is within each of us and, through patient practice, you can experience dozens of life-enriching abilities in this protective and nurturing consciousness.

Is the inner self the same as the soul?

Yes, the Divine within each of us, the place inside us that is pure consciousness, filled with peace, power, love and joy is called the inner self, true self, or soul.

How long does one have to practice yoga before having a spiritual experience?

It depends on how sincere, dedicated, and focused you are. Some people have spiritual experiences as soon as they start. However, for many people it takes months or years of steady, regular practice. The reality is that it happens when you are ready.

What do yogis mean when they talk about enlightenment?

Having an experience of your inner self, pure consciousness, is considered an awakening. But enlightenment is not just occasionally experiencing your inner self. It is living every day centered in higher consciousness, allowing that awareness to radiate through you as you think, speak and act.

What is the difference between self-realization and God-realization?

The terms are basically interchangeable. When talking about self-realization, typically we do practices to experience and live in the divine consciousness within us, focusing on the dissolution of ego in Spirit. When we talk about God-realization, our approach is to focus on devotion and surrender to God which first reveals the Infinite Spirit. Most yogis move from soul awareness to God-realization while some go from God-realization to soul realization. One realization soon brings the other.

Meditation

Are there different ways to meditate?

Yes, there are mainly four meditation styles and many different meditation techniques. You’ll find information here on how to practice these techniques. Then, through practice, you’ll find which meditation style fits you best. To start, you may wish to hear the talk on Four Great Ways to Meditate.

Why is it important to learn different meditation styles?

Just like no two snowflakes are the same, each of us has a different nature — different goals, different aptitudes, different likes and dislikes. It’s important to try different meditation practices until you find the one that suits your nature. You will find many meditation styles and techniques to try throughout Yoga World videos and talks.

How much time is needed to make progress in yoga?

Ramakrishna Ananda recommends you start by spending at least 15 minutes meditating every day. It is also good to spend 15-20 minutes doing asanas and/or pranayams. However, as you progress, you may want to spend more time in meditation. Many people find that meditating 20 minutes or more twice a day helps them to have deeper meditations.

What is the best time to meditate?

The ideal time is sunrise and/or sunset. However, since it may not be possible to meditate at those times, whenever you can set aside some quiet, uninterrupted time is good. (Two or more hours after eating is highly recommended so that digestion is not interfered with.)

Can Yoga Help My Daily Life?

Will yoga help me sleep better?

Yes. As we release the tension in the body and turbulence in the mind, our sleep becomes more peaceful. There are many yoga practices specifically for improving sleep. You may want to listen to Ramakrishna Ananda’s talk:  A Good Night’s Sleep.

What kind of yoga practice is best for reducing stress?

A combination of 15-20 minutes doing yoga asanas/postures and 15-20 minutes of meditation to calm the mind will help. Also, try different meditation techniques to find which help you most quickly experience peace of mind. Many students particularly like Witness Consciousness and Being in the Now. Both are particularly good for stress reduction.

Can practicing meditation and the higher yogas help in improving relationships?

Definitely. As we harmonize body, mind and inner self through yoga, we are naturally more peaceful and loving. Even when others are being difficult, we are able to stay centered and kind rather than impulsively reacting to the negative behavior of others. Many people say that improved relationships are one of the first things they notice after practicing yoga.

Will yoga help me have more energy and vitality?

Usually, yes. A key benefit of asanas, pranayams and meditation is an increase in life force. As we release tension in the body and turbulence in the mind with these practices, we open the door to a greater amount of life force, energy and vitality.

I have a health condition. Can I still practice yoga?

Yes, anyone can enjoy yoga. It is important that you not strain when doing breathing practices, asanas or meditation. There are many modifications available for all yoga practices. If you have a health problem, however, it is advisable to check in with your doctor first.

FAQ Videos

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Do you know that God exists and that He cares?
Do you know about the mystery of prayer? 
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#2 THE MYSTIC GAZE
A Classic Technique

This classic technique is one of the mystic’s greatest treasures.

It is designed to stimulate your mystical faculties and begin the process of spiritual awakening.

With the Mystic Gaze enjoy the developing sense of clarity, coordination and attunement with life in all you do.

  1. Sit calmly and relax your eyes
  2. Gaze slightly upwards 20-30 degrees
  3. Look into space 20 feet or more
  4. Gaze, don’t stare or strain your eyes
  5. Simply observe and appreciate your awareness of space
  6. Enjoy the dawning wholeness for several minutes
  7. Gear down and go about your day

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#7 EXPANSION THROUGH ATTITUDE AND GOOD WILL
Change Your Heart

Your practice of good will cultivates the heart’s truest, deepest feeling:  love.

These good will practices are a boon to mystical study.

The goal of good will practice is the change of the heart.

When your heart naturally and spontaneously radiates forth a palpable good will, then you are a changed person.

  1. Consciously direct your thoughts and feelings toward an attitude of good will
  2. Bring a person to mind
  3. Or place your awareness on a person closest to you
  4. Direct good will toward this person
  5. Feel free to add specific well-wishes like health, love, courage, etc.
  6. Allow your heart to expand, to change

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#6 EXPANSION LEVEL ONE
Quality of Life

Mystics break out of body bondage through numerous expansions of the heart — of the sense of self.

Your feeling of self-awareness imprisons or frees you.

Happily, you can do something powerfully liberating about the state of your heart and the quality of your life.

  1. Sit comfortably for 15 minutes
  2. Choose a person you know
  3. Imagine you’re walking in his/her shoes
  4. Feel you’re inside this person
  5. Say “If I were (name), I’d feel and think…”
  6. Have fun with it and let your heart expand

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#5 THE HEART AND ITS LIBERATION
Your Sense of Self

Mystics break out of mind and body bondage through expansions, expansions of consciousness.

Your “Heart” is your sense of self, your feeling about who you are.

Who are you as a distinct person from everyone else? This is your core individuality, your mystical heart.

  1. Focus on your mystic heart
  2. It is located in the right-central chest or inside the spine behind the heart
  3. Practice The Radiance or The Mist:
  4. Feel that your mystic heart…
  5. Radiates love, light and energy, or
  6. Generates a white mist flowing outward

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#4 THE MYSTIC BREATH
Your Window

Your breath is the key to the mystery of your life. The Mystic Breath is conscious use of this key.

Our individual natures will require different windows — different energy centers — from which to view the life force.

Allow the mystic breath to reveal your personal window.

  1. Stretch and then sit comfortably
  2. Take 5 to 7 deep breaths
  3. Focus on the center of your upper lip
  4. Witness the breath come and go
  5. Let your mind move to a natural center
  6. Watch your breath and the life force from this “window”

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#3 THE ASCENT
The Essence of Your Life

We begin meditation on the Infinite by focusing our awareness on Spirit, the life essence within us.

How can we do something so seemingly abstract? It’s easy. Spirit empowers your breath night and day.

Let the life force reveal itself to you. Sense the higher power which flows through you.

You’ll feel more alive.

  1. Stretch and relax your body
  2. Sit comfortably
  3. Take 5 to 7 deep breaths
  4. Focus on your nostril rims
  5. Witness the breath come and go
  6. Enjoy for 10 to 12 minutes
  7. Inhale deeply and stretch

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#0 THE MYSTIC SELF
Our True Nature

In the view of mystics, the major problem in life for most of us is ignorance of our true natures.

The Mysteries reveal many ways that you can actually contact your mystic self — and the Infinite Consciousness.

Do you, can you, contact your Mystic Self? Yes, indeed!

  1. Practice this anytime you like
  2. Probably your mind wanders quite often
  3. At times during the day, look at your mind and notice when it’s wandering
  4. Then, turn your attention to that part of your consciousness which observes that your mind is wandering
  5. That special overseeing awareness is part of your marvelous mystic self

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#1 MYSTIC AWAKENING
Benefits

Stimulate your mystical awakening.

When you wake up from a dream you realize you were only dreaming.

Consider too that this normal state of awareness in which you live may be a kind of sleep also.

As you do this technique you’ll find the world becomes more beautiful and enjoyable.

  1. Try this many times a day
  2. Whisper to yourself, “Wake up!”
  3. Mentally say, “Wake up!”
  4. Increase your attention, appreciation and feeling of love
  5. Just cheerfully exhort yourself
  6. Wake up!

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How to Succeed

As you may know, we do not charge for our courses. All Yoga World content is free and available to you with our blessings. However, we do have a simple, but important request that’s key to the transformations necessary to succeed on the path.

We ask you to commit two hours a week to selfless service. This service can be anything you choose ranging from helping a family member or neighbor to volunteering at a nonprofit organization.

I Commit to Serve

This commitment is solely between you and your inner self.

Why the Commitment?

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