What is “YOGA”?
“Yoga is the science of being in the Here and Now” - Osho (Yoga: The Science of the Soul).
Today, Yoga has become familiar on every street corner around the world. People of all ages, genders, and health conditions are embracing the practice of yoga. Many are recognizing the tremendous benefits, particularly in today’s hyper-stimulated world.
Despite the advancements in science and the comforts we enjoy, we witness illnesses prevalent in our surroundings. The fast-food culture has accelerated the progression of diseases, often leaving us feeling helpless in helping our loved ones.
In this modern society, yoga provides hope. Let’s delve a little deeper into understanding Yoga.
Yoga is an Indian heritage, a contemporary necessity, and a culture of tomorrow. It offers a path to total health. Operating by resetting the biological clock, Yoga is fundamentally a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, aiming to harmonize the mind and body.
Yoga is not a religion; it is a science that can be practiced by anyone, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion. When practiced as prescribed, this holistic science brings perfect health and happiness to individuals.
Yoga is not limited to physical postures; it encompasses shudhi kriyas, asanas, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, meditation, chanting, and much more.
The term 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'YUJ,' which has three different meanings:
Yuj-Samyame, meaning ‘Discipline.’
Yuj-Yujyati, meaning ‘to Yoke, to merge.’ Yoga is the union of Individual consciousness with Universal consciousness (Jivatma to Parmatma).
Yuj-Samadhau, meaning concentration or absorption.
Various classical texts provide different definitions of Yoga:
Patanjali Yog Sutra: "Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodhah" (Yoga is the stilling of mental modifications).
Yoga Vashishtha: "Manah Prasamanah Upaya yoga-ityabhi dhiyate" (Yoga is a subtle technique to calm the mind down).
Bhagavad Gita: "Yogah Karmashu kaushalam" (Excellence in action is Yoga) and "Samatvam Yoga uchyate" (Evenness of mind is called Yoga).
Shri Aurobindo: "Yoga is the integration of personality development at the physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual levels."
Swami Vivekananda: "Acceleration of the natural process of evolution is yoga."
Some benefits of yoga include stress relief, enhanced immunity, improved flexibility, increased strength, better balance, mental well-being, improved sleep, and overall enhancement of all bodily systems, bringing balance to every aspect of our personality.
Stay tuned for more articles delving deeper into the subject of yoga.
To conclude on a lighter note, here's a joke: Why is it easy to make an appointment with a yoga teacher? They are just so flexible.
By Ami Shah (Devpriya Yoga - Certified Yoga Instructor for Children and Adults)
Contact Info: ami@devpriyayoga.com
