Yoga is a practice that has many different levels, and it can benefit a person regardless of how deeply they wish to embrace it. For some, it can be an excellent exercise and fitness regime, while others see it as part of a broader spiritual pursuit. A yoga meditation retreat for example, is designed to benefit body, mind and spirit through a combination of yoga routines, yoga meditation, and introspection. Often, relaxing Yoga meditation music accompanies the yoga practice itself, designed to place the yoga student in a relaxed state where he or she is ready to experience the benefits of meditation.
Some types of practices such as Qigong go beyond yoga for the sake of fitness and relaxation, to combine it with other meditation techniques designed to develop awareness of the body's Qi energy, and to focus that energy with the power of the mind. Siddha yoga meditation has self-realization as its goal. At a Siddha yoga meditation center, you will realize that each individual is a divine power when freed from the ego. The goal of this type of yoga is shaktipat, or spiritual awakening. Kundalini yoga and meditation is another type of practice designed to achieve a state of mindfulness, known to practitioners as a state of Samadhi. Kundalini yoga, which incorporates meditation routines, is a way to awaken the kundalini, which is a powerful source of energy residing in the chakra that is located at the base of the spine. Raja yoga is similar in its goal in attaining pure consciousness and awakening.
Meditation yoga centers are located in most major U.S. cities, with excellent centers located in Orlando, Florida and many other destinations. And although it's certainly not necessary, some people prefer to venture to India, the birthplace of yoga and meditation, and tour the temples and meditation centers, meeting with some of the world's greatest yogis and spiritual teachers.
Although yoga meditation is a spiritual pursuit through which one may gain powerful insights into the self and the universe, yoga meditation in itself is not a religion. While many of the great masters of yoga and meditation come from Hindu and Buddhist countries, it is a spiritual practice that transcends religion. Whether you are Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, or Pagan, you can still reap the physical and spiritual benefits that come from true insight and mindfulness.
In reality, all yoga is a type of meditation, regardless of the style or extent to which it is practiced. Even for those who see yoga as simply a practice for better heath and fitness, and don't go into the deeper meditative practices of Kundalini or Siddha yoga meditation, it is still nonetheless a meditation simply to practice the physical yoga poses themselves. Whether you consider it to be meditation or not, in fact, the positions require keen attention to breath, senses, body and mind.
