YOGA - A Brief Introduction

 

Yoga is definitely the best way to start your day.

But before getting into the benefits and techniques, let us get more familiar with the most common word of this age.

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root verb Yuj, which means to join or union. And what does yoga join?

The individual soul to the Universal soul.

The jivatma to the Paramatma.

There is a systematic Eight-fold path to attain this state of yoga - the Ashtanga Yoga, as outlined by Patanjali Maharishi in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali defines Yoga as yaeg> icÄ v&iÄ inraex> Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah - Yoga is Controlling the modifications of mind. And this can be achieved by the regular practice of Ashtanga Yoga, step by step.

Ashtanga Yoga:

Yama            - Moral Codes

Niyama          - Self Purification

Asana            - Posture

Pranayama     - Breath Control

Pratyahara     - Sense Control

Dharana         - Concentration

Dhyana          - Meditation

Samadhi        - Absorption into the Ultimate Reality

YAMA external ethics	NIYAMA internal ethics
1. Ahimsa - non-harming	1. Shoucha - purity
2. Satya - truthfulness	2. Santosha - contentment
3. Asteya - non-stealing	3. Tapas - austerity
4. Brahmacharya - continence	4. Svadhyaya- self-study
5. Aparigraha - generosity	5. Ishvara Pranidhana - surrender to divinity

 

 Asa        Asanas are the various postures for purifying and strengthening the body.

Pranayama is the control of the vital force - Prana, that is breath.

Pratyahara is the control of sense organs.

The last three internal practices:-

Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi bring the mind under control.

 

Yoga under the direction of a Guru with a subdued mind, unperturbed by the external and internal sense organs eventually leads one to the full realization of Patanjali’s eight-limbed yoga.