| Mickey Mehta is India's leading Holistic health and | | | | governing the physical body, and the "tha" denotes |
| fitness guru. Having revolutionized the concept of | | | | the chitta (mental) force, thus making Hatha Yoga a |
| Wellness, he has been associated with Femina Miss | | | | catalyst for the two energies that govern our lives. |
| India, Grasim Mr. India, and various other Reality | | | | Hatha Yoga harmonises and purifies the body |
| shows on TV, including Fame Gurukul, Channel V | | | | systems and focuses the mind in preparation for |
| – Pop stars, and Channel V – Get Gorgeous. | | | | advanced yoga. |
| He is the only privileged health exponent in India to | | | | Bhakti Yoga: This form of yoga relies on devotion |
| be interviewed on CNN, CNBC and BBC and has also | | | | and complete faith. The faith is generally in God or |
| been interviewed extensively on almost all radio | | | | the supreme consciousness. The person interested in |
| stations and all TV channels. | | | | following this path should have a very strong |
| Here Mickey Mehta talks about the benefits of yoga: | | | | emotional bond with the object of his faith and |
| Yoga is the world's oldest system of | | | | meditate till he reaches a state of self-realisation. |
| self-development and encompasses mind, body and | | | | Kundalani Yoga: This system of yoga is concerned |
| spirit. The term 'yoga' originates from the Sanskrit | | | | with the awareness of the six chakras or psychic |
| root yuj meaning yoke, unite, join together as one. | | | | centers that exist in the body. The basic method of |
| Through the practice of yoga, clear steps are | | | | awakening involves deep concentration on these |
| followed which help to integrate and harmonize | | | | chakras and forcing their arousal. |
| different aspects of ourselves, bringing about | | | | |
| balance, health and energy in our mind, body and | | | | Sivananda Yoga: This system pioneered by Swami |
| spirit. There are various types of yoga which help | | | | Sivananda teaches the five basic principles of proper |
| you beat stress & unwind the traditional way. | | | | relaxation, proper exercise, proper breathing, proper |
| They all share the same aim, that of connecting | | | | diet and positive thinking with meditation. 12 basic |
| & uniting with the divine. | | | | postures, relaxation, breathing, chanting and spiritual |
| | | | teachings are included. |
| Bikram Yoga: Developed by Yogiraj Bikram | | | | Viniyoga: Its taught in small groups and on a |
| Choudhary and taught in 1,200 Bikram Yoga schools | | | | one-to-one basis. It aims to develop a personal |
| in the US, it is called "hot yoga" as the asanas are | | | | approach to yoga and also includes therapeutic, |
| practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees | | | | philosophical and spiritual teachings. It was developed |
| Fahrenheit. According to Chowdhary, the heated | | | | by Desikachar who is the son of the late, great |
| environment acts as a powerful tool to enhance | | | | yoga teacher Krishnamacharya. |
| self-realisation and helps the body tissues to stretch. | | | | Raja Yoga: This is a system of yoga promoted by |
| Iyengar Yoga: Developed and cultivated by BKS | | | | Sage Patanjali by which one can discover the |
| Iyengar over the last 60 years, this form focuses on | | | | dormant areas of the mind and consciousness. The |
| perfect alignment and precise body movements. This | | | | process of Raja Yoga is divided into 8 stages: yama, |
| style of yoga uses props such as bands and straps. | | | | niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharna, |
| Ashtanga Yoga: Commonly called power yoga, it | | | | dhyana and samadhi. |
| focuses on powerful movements such as push ups | | | | Karma Yoga: This system of yoga relates to daily |
| and lunges, which require strength and stamina. | | | | activities we perform from morning to night. In |
| Ashtanga Yoga is appropriate for people who are | | | | Karma Yoga there is a certain philosophy to life and |
| already athletic and want to add flexibility, balance | | | | action. Its not what you do but how you do it that is |
| and concentration to their exercise routines. | | | | significant. It's a yoga of non-attachment and yet |
| Hatha Yoga: "Ha" denotes the pranic (vital force) | | | | perfection in action. |