5 things you should know about Woody Map Namaste World

Although many consider it a physical discipline, practicing yoga goes beyond simply working or cultivating the body through postures. For Hindus, yoga is a philosophy of life that allows you to control mental disturbances, reduce suffering, and acquire the ability to discern between good and evil, thus achieving a balance between body and soul.

At Miss Wood, we've designed the perfect yoga map to help you learn this discipline in depth. Here are 5 features of our Woody Map Namaste World that you should know:

1. Yoga Styles

Yoga has thousands of years of tradition, but virtually all the styles we know today were developed during the 20th century.

Before we delve into the different styles of yoga, I want to explain the 4 main types of yoga that exist so that you can better understand how to practice each one.

The 4 major types of yoga

According to Swami Vivekananda, there are four different ways to reach God through yoga, that is, to "be born of God and return to Him." These four paths are:

• Karma Yoga : Reaching God (divinity) through our altruistic works and our dedication to others.
• Bhakti Yoga : Union with God through selfless love. It includes rituals, chanting (kirtan), devotion, incense, and flowers. It involves the destruction of selfishness to achieve happiness and bring happiness to others.
• Raja Yoga : through mind control, mental control, meditation.
• Jnana Yoga : Through knowledge. Elevated thoughts. Study of the scriptures.

Yoga styles

When we talk about yoga styles, we're referring to the different ways in which the practice of asana (postures) is developed. In reality, most of the postures are the same across all styles; the difference lies in how they are performed.

Here's a brief summary of each of the techniques marked on the Namaste World map. You'll also find more information on the accompanying supplementary cards. These are some of the most practiced and well-known techniques, among many others:

Hatha Yoga : Founded in India by T. Krishnamacharya. Although it has many variations, it is the most classic and traditional form, and the most widely practiced worldwide. It is known for its practice of asanas (body postures) and pranayama (breath control, to aid meditation).

Ashtanga Vinyasa : Founded in India by Krishna Pattabhi Jois. It is a dynamic form of yoga. It differs from hatha yoga in its practice of vinyasa. Vinyasa literally means a system of synchronized movement and breath.

Jivamukti Yoga : One of its founders, David Live (NY), uses music and draws inspiration from traditional texts while employing asana (postures) as a teaching tool. The classes are dynamic, challenging, and energizing.

Acro Yoga : Founded in Santa Monica by Jason Nemer and Jenny Saucer-Klein. It fuses yoga, acrobatics, and therapeutic arts. It is practiced in pairs and integrates physical, mental, and emotional aspects.

Yin Yoga : Founded in California by Paulie Zink. It is a style derived from Hatha Yoga that helps calm the mind, stimulates prana, and teaches deep relaxation.

Sivananda Yoga : This is a traditional style of Hatha yoga originating in northern India, created by Swami Sivananda. It is a slow-paced style of yoga that focuses on meditation, breathwork, and spirituality.

Bikram Yoga : Founded in the USA by Nikram Choudhury. Also called Hot Yoga, it is a style practiced in high temperatures. It is used to prevent injuries and warm up muscles, as well as eliminate toxins from the body.

Shadow Yoga : Founded by Shandor Remete in Australia, it is a yoga system that combines traditional Hatha Yoga postures with the elegant movement of martial arts.

Integral Yoga : Founded in India by Swami Satchidananda. It is a very complete form of yoga, covering the basic precepts of yoga: hatha, pranayama, breathwork, kriya, and meditation.

Prana Flow : Founded in California by Shiva Rea. It is an energizing and creative yoga that uses harmonious, intelligently connected sequences and focuses attention on the flow of breath.

Power Yoga : Founded in Santa Monica by Bryan Kest. Asanas are practiced dynamically and energetically, toning the body while simultaneously controlling the mind.

Forrest Yoga : Founded in California by Ana T. Forrest, it's a style of yoga practiced as exercise. It's characterized by long holds in poses, an emphasis on core work, and standing sequences that can last up to 20 poses on each side.

Kundalini Yoga : Founded by Yogi Bhajan in Pakistan. It is a modality that works on the body and mind through exercise and meditation to find balance.

Kriya Yoga : Founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in India. It is an ancient meditation technique for controlling energy and breath, or pranayama, for the purpose of spiritual development, creating a deep state of tranquility and higher union.

Iyengar Yoga : Founded by Iyengar in India. This style emphasizes alignment. Basically, Iyengar yoga can be described as holding Tadasana (Mountain Pose), with a variation, such as one leg raised.

Triyoga : Founded in Waltham by Kaliji Ray. It is a Vinyasa Hatha yoga method that seeks to unite body movement with breath, concentration, and focus.

On the map, we've marked these styles and explained the best way to practice them, including the postures they encompass. You might already be familiar with one; feel free to add your pin to the map.

2. Chakras

According to Hinduism, the chakras are seven energy centers located in different parts of the human body. They function as "valves" regulating the flow of energy and, depending on their location, vary in their vibrational strength and speed.

Just as we have our own energy centers or chakras, the Earth also has its own. There are different points around the world that form the base of the planet's energy system and are distributed according to the kundalini or serpent line* .

*Within the framework of Hinduism, kundalini is described as an intangible energy, symbolically and allegorically represented by a serpent.

On our Namaste World map, you'll find the 7 chakras, marked both on the human body and in the world, with their corresponding colors. You'll find it very easy to understand after this brief summary and with the accompanying supplementary cards that clearly explain them.

1st CHAKRA - Muladhara

Human body: Root chakra, located at the base of the spine, its frequency is the color red. It is called Muladhara and represents the positive qualities of perseverance and loyalty.

Earth: Located on Mount Shasta in California, it is considered the root chakra of the planet. This is where the universal life force is created to generate life.

2nd CHAKRA - Swadhisthana

Human body: The sacrum is located just below the navel and is associated with the color orange. Its name is Swadhisthana. It represents creativity and sexuality.

Earth: Located on Lake Titicaca in Peru/Bolivia. Also called the Rainbow Serpent, this center has some of the most telluric crossings or ley lines on the planet (we'll talk about this in the next point), second only to Bali.

3rd CHAKRA - Manipura

Human body: The solar plexus is located in the stomach area and is yellow. It is called Manipura. It represents self-control in its positive aspects and aggression. It is related to the capacity for self-empowerment.

Earth: Located on Mount Uluru in Australia, also known as Ayers Rock, along with Kata Tjuta. For Aboriginal people, this is the ancestral period when the world was being formed. Kata Tjuta is considered the sister formation of Uluru.

4th CHAKRA - Anahata

Human body: The heart chakra is located in the center of the chest and is green or pink. Its name is Anahata. It represents feeling and emotion. It is related to self-esteem and unconditional love.

Earth: Located in Glastonbury, Somerset, and Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, it comprises the center of the world's heart chakra. This is the land of the Holy Grail, Merlin the Wizard, Avalon, and King Arthur. This chakra connects us to our own heart and the heart of the Earth.

5th CHAKRA - Vishuddha

Human body: Throat chakra, its frequency is the color blue, its name is Vishuddha, and it represents calmness and communication. The ability to communicate and express who we are.

Earth: These are found near the Great Pyramids of Giza, Mount Sinai, and the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. They are considered "the cries of the mother" or "the voice of the planet calling for help." They urge us to raise our voices and listen to the voice of the Earth.

6th CHAKRA - Ajna

Human body: The third eye chakra, located just above the area between the eyes, has the frequency of the color indigo and is called Ajna. It is related to the ability to see beyond our eyes, to visualize, and to intuition.

Earth: This chakra can change location. It is now considered to be in Western Europe. Connecting to this Earth center connects us with our intuitive and channeling abilities.

7th CHAKRA - Sahasrara

Human body: Crown chakra at the top of the head, its frequency is the color violet, its name is Sahasrara and it represents complete liberation and connection with our higher Self.

Earth: Located on Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, Tibet. It is considered the 'roof of the world' and the crown chakra of the planet. Just as our own crown connects with the divine, so does Mount Kailash, connecting the planet with its spiritual aspect.

3. Energy Points

The energy that some people feel in places of religious or spiritual worship could be due to radiation emanating from the interior of the Earth.

The term telluric comes from Latin and means Earth. A telluric current is an electrical current that moves underground or through the ocean.

It is said that these telluric lines capture the information and energies that come from these higher vibrational points and transport them around the planet, spreading knowledge and wisdom to all its inhabitants.

These precise points of intersection are “coincidentally” the places where the most sacred temples and monuments in the world are located, for example the pyramids of Egypt, Machu Picchu, the Black Stone of Mecca, Stonehenge or Angkor Wat.

Some of them, the main ones, are marked on the map. We'll tell you more about each one, and you can add a pin if you've been there.

4. Meditation Temples

Also known as Meditation Retreat or Silent Yoga , they are an opportunity to rediscover balance and connect with our inner selves.

A few days to experience and observe the silence, by opening your heart to the present moment. In a space surrounded by nature and calm, eating healthily.

Our map shows all the existing ones and their locations. You're sure to recognize some of them and can mark them with a pin.

5. Festivals

There are more and more spaces to share and develop this practice . There are events for all tastes, levels, aspirations, and sensibilities, designed to help you meet people with the same passion and exchange experiences. There are certainly more, but we've highlighted the most important ones.

Discover everything the Yoga map has to offer. Here's the link to the product :)