This system is based on a very practical, direct instruction, which was written down in short, poignant sentences called sutras - known as the Yoga Sutras, by Patanjali, a (maybe-) contemporary of Buddha.

Patanjali gives a psychological and philosophical explanation of what is commonly known as 'the human mind'. What it can reach, how to get there, what problems you might encounter on the way and how to avoid or overcome them.

Patanjali used the word 'Ashtanga' (ashta = 8, anga = limb), the 8 limbs of the yoga system :
- Yamas (five of these. Wise acting/relating to your environment)
- Niyamas (also 5. Living wisely or 5 characteristics of someone who does)
- Asana (Seat / Posture)
- Pranayama (Breath & energy - regulation)
- Pratyahara (Understanding the senses / often simply translated as 'withdrawal of the senses')
- Dharana ('concentration')
- Dhyana ('meditation')
- Samadhi ('Enlightenment')

Without (for the moment) diving further into these - yoga is a system. That is, it has a beginning, a path with directions and itself (the state of yoga) as a goal. It starts like this :- You do detailed, sometimes difficult exercises in connection with deep and easy (not strained) breathing, you sit, move, work, stretch and open the whole body. All together with a strong focus/awareness on breathing,body, how & what you feel and an intense training of the mind and perception. Then, with the union of all these comes the possibility for yoga, the dissolution of the single elements.
In other words : The practice of yogasana & pranayama is possible only in conjunction with pratyahara, dharana, as well as the yamas and niyamas. Only then can they (and the yogi) unite to become one ('meditation') and form the basis for samadhi. The last 2 elements (dharana & dhyana) are nothing to practice, but 'simply' happen on the fertile ground of the previous limbs. They can not be attained but come as a present.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are very often seen as rules. But Patanjali doesn't set any rules to be followed. He simply explains the stepping stones of yoga.

It's obvious that the above does not even scratch the mirror of the surface or this topic, we recommend some reading material here.
The part of Yogic Philosophy, that concernes our actions in life, and within that our vision / defeinition of ourselves (i.e. the 'yamas & niyamas') can be found nicely laid out in Donna Farhis first book, as a basic intro to Yoga.

A very good translation of the Yoga Sutras by Godfrey Devereux's can be found in the links in this same category.
Any other philosophical 'rantings' must not necessarily have the same mentioned quality, but this shall be decided by the readers thereof.

Aktuelles :

Yogasummit in Innsbruck : Endlich Gelegenheit ohne weit fahren zu müssen einmal einige Interessante Lehrer kennenzulernen.

Hier eine Zusammenstellung der Links zu externen Seiten bzgl. Gesundheit & Bewegung in Innsbruck, die andernorts auf der Homepage erwähnt wurden :

YOGA :

Donna Farhi : Yoga von der Basis bis zur Spitze. Das Mädel integriert anstatt zu zerlegen.

Godfrey Devereux's Interpretation / Übersetzung der Yoga Sutren von Patanjali

Unnata™ Aerial Yoga - Michelle Dortignac - Aerial Actual Yoga :)

Ayurveda & Yoga Homepage von Kathrin Bielowsky

Lisa Petersen bietet wunderbare Yoga Urlaube und Workshops - Irland Australien etc ..

Anderes zu Gesundheit und Kursen in Innsbruck :

Eva Müllers Homepage - die Evi, die Dienstags die 09:30 Klasse unterrichtet, und am Freitag abend den Tanzkurs bei uns abietet. 

TCM in Innsbruck : Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin, Gesundheit vom Esstisch.

Noch mehr Entspannung & Qigong, Osteopathie, Psychologie gibts von & mit Anja Bader.

Weitere Links :

Yogadancer designs : Wunderbarer Asana - Index mit Photos und Details.

Ggf. zum weiterlesen eine gemütliche Yoga Einsteiger Übersicht al la Blog - auf Englisch.

Yoga Suchmaschienen für Urlauber - damit ihr uns berichten könnt wo's noch schön war :

Yogafinder : Suchmaschiene für Yoga Schulen der ganzen Welt.

Yogadirectory : dasselbe.

International Yoga Centers Directory - Global Guide to Yoga Studios, Instructors, Ashrams & Retreat Centers !

Soon On : Yogasummit in Innsbruck - Finally a chance to try some teachers without having to travel far :)

YOGA :

Ayurveda & Yoga in Innsbruck - Homepage of Kathrin Bielowsky

Good food good yoga - good yoga holidays  ?- Ask Lisa Petersen.

Donna Farhi : Integrating basics into high art.

Godfrey Devereux's interpretation / translation of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Unnata™ Aerial Yoga - Michelle Dortignac - & Swaha Yoga Center in Athens. Our Aerial Yoga roots. 

Other Health or Course - related sites especially around Innsbruck :

Shiatsu Moves Innsbruck - for relaxation

Eva Müllers Homepage - the very same Evi who's teaching the Open class on Tuesdays and the dance course on Fridays.

TCM in Innsbruck : Traditional Chinese Medicine,: Health starting at your table.

Further links :

Yogadancer designs : Wonderful Asana-index with photos and details.

Maybe browseread through this Easy Read BlogStyle - Yoga Intro & Overview

Yogadirectories : 

Yogafinder : Global Yoga Schools directory.

Yogadirectory : same :) 

International Yoga Centers Directory - Global Guide to Yoga Studios, Instructors, Ashrams & Retreat Centers !

Transformation in the World begins with transforming ourselves.

<sub>"If you know about a problem, and choose to ignore it, you become a part of it"
- Indian Proverb -</sub>

Living Yoga Projects - The concept :

Fundraising through yoga: Gather to  practise yoga as a community and help raise money for a chosen foundation ...Individually and collectively we have the power to make a change.  Even in small ways our conscious effort can have a domino effect. Through fundraising for a chosen foundation we aim to expand  awareness with current world issues – environmental, political and human rights issues.

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Our previous`fundraising through Yoga´projects :

Donation Yoga class – 2 hour special raising money for the Sambhali Trust in Austria, 

 All money raised will go directly to Sambhali Austria.

'Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu'

"Mögen alle Lebewesen überall frei und glücklich sein und möge ich mit meinen Gedanken, Worten und Handlungen auf bestmögliche Weise dazu beitragen."

Yoga-Spendenklasse für das Flüchtlingsheim Innsbruck

mit Marianne, 10.October 2013 um 19:15,

Was bedeutet Heimat für dich? Vielleicht bedeutet es mit lieben Freunden am gleichen Ort zu wohnen, nahe der Familie zu sein, eine feine Wohnung, Natur, Berge, eine Arbeit die Spaß macht? 
Und jetzt stell dir vor du musst das alles verlassen. Irgendwohin, einfach nur weg, um dein Leben zu retten! Alleine in eine ungewisse Zukunft an einen fremden Ort, wo du die Sprache nicht verstehst, wo alles anders ist und wo du hoffst, dass du bleiben kannst ohne gleich wieder weggeschickt zu werden.So geht es jährlich tausenden Flüchtlingen in Europa. Auf der Flucht vor Krieg, Verfolgung, Armut und Leid kommen sie über Schleichwege und viele sogar unter Lebensgefahr nach Europa. In der Hoffnung auf ein besseres Leben, auf eine neue Heimat. Einige davon landen auch in Österreich. Nach einer ersten Zeit in Traiskirchen werden sie auf die verschiedenen Flüchtlingsheime in Österreich aufgeteilt. Das Flüchtlingsheim Innsbruck/Reichenau ist eines davon. Derzeit leben ca. 270 Flüchtlinge dort.

Da ich selbst einen Jugendlichen aus Afghanistan betreue und mit ihm Deutsch lerne, war ich schon öfters zu Besuch im Flüchtlingsheim. Die Gastfreundschaft der Bewohner hat mich sehr beeindruckt, wie auch ihre Geduld und Hoffnung auf einen positiven Asylbescheid. Ich habe aber auch ihre Angst vor der Zukunft und Orientierungslosigkeit in einer vollkommen fremden Kultur kennengelernt. Darum habe ich mich entschlossen diese Spendenklasse dem Flüchtlingsheim in Innsbruck zu widmen!
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Yoga for Greenpeace  – A `Living Yoga´Project mit Kira am 15 June 2013 ; 9-10:30

"When the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish dead, we will discover that we can't eat money..." Greenpeace.With heart felt Non – violence Greenpeace seeks solutions and  promotes open debate about society´s environmental choices. Greenpeace works to eliminate problems rather than just manage them. Rather than just pointing fingers,Greenpeace develops, researches and promotes concrete steps towards a green and peaceful future for all of us.Specifically Greenpeace, an independant global campaigning organisation, strengthens and unites our world through acting to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Their key campaigning actions include:
:the use of renewable energy to reverse climate change; the protection of our forests; defending our ocean; to call for no nuclear weapons; the need for alternatives to hazardous chemicals in todays products and manufacturing; and campaigns for the production of sustainable agriculture (rejecting genetically engineered organisms).See www.greenpeace.org for current issues, and plenty of ways in which we as individuals can help make a difference.When: 15 June 9-10:30 (tea & snacks afterwards)By Donation!All profits will go to Greenpeace!
A box will be left on the counter in the reception room. Simply pop in what you would like to donate to Greenpeace and we´ll do the rest.