YOGA- INTRODUCTION

 

History of Yoga    Yoga is one of the oldest sciences, which India proudly possesses. Yoga has been practiced in India for around six thousand years. Lord Shiva (symbolically) represents the first cosmic yogi the time has witnessed. The great sage Patanjali was the foremost amongst the learned sages, who dealt in great detail with the concept of Yoga, which is now available in a book known as "The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali". Among all the methods described, the sage Patanjali's methods of "AshatangaYoga" (also known as the Royal Path) is the most important. It is an eight-fold path taking us from lower bodily purification to the highest goal of self-realization. What is Yoga ? Definition The word " Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" which means "to join" or 'to unite". Thus Yoga means joining one thing to another i.e. the individual consciousness (spirit-soul) to the supreme consciousness. Yoga can also be defined as an art and science of self Realization. Yoga is a way of life, which can be practiced by any human being regardless of their age, condition of health, religion or nationality, for it is based on general physical and spiritual laws, which operate on all mankind alive. Ashatanga Yoga comprises of the following steps :  These are, a. Yama or improvement in our social behavior It can be achieved by the following noble practices : Non-violence, both physical and psychological Truthfulness Non-stealing Self restraint in every sphere of life Non-hoarding      b. "Niyama" or improvement in our personal behavior It can be done by : Maintaining a purity of body and mind Developing a habit of contentment Practicing austerity in every sphere of life Intensive study of relative literature Daily practice of dedication to God    c. Asana or physical postures They are mainly meant for improving bodily health, helping to keep the body flexible, shapely, light. The muscles get stronger, there is improved circulation and oxygenation of the vital organs. Especially the functions of various organs such as heart, lungs, liver and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, endocrine system etc. is improved to a considerable extent affecting the metabolism, positively leading to the improvement in the immune system making the practitioner more resistant to infections.      d. Pranayama or control of life force through breathing exercises It's ultimate goal is total cessation of the inspiratory and expiratory movements of breath which follows when that has been secured, then the cover of darkness is destroyed and the mind becomes fit for concentration. It ensures better oxygenation of blood and one feels very relaxed and fresh after doing some basic breathing exercises.     e. Pratyahara or restraining the sense organs This can be achieved by minimizing the chances of having these sense organs stimulated by various external objects and then leading as simple life as possible.    f. Dharana or concentration   g. Dhyana or meditation This mainly comprises of the ways to concentrate the mind avoiding all distractions. It helps to calm any mental excitement and at the same time induce tranquility and serenity in the mind. .   h Samadhi or attainment of super-consciousness