The tradition of Yoga was born in India several
thousand years ago. Its founders were great Saints and Sages. The
great Yogis gave rational interpretation of their experiences about
Yoga and brought a practically sound and scientifically prepared method
within every one’s reach. Yoga philosophy is an Art and Science
of living in tune with Brahmand- The Universe. Yoga has its origins
in the Vedas, the oldest record of Indian culture. It was systematized
by the great Indian sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra as a special
Darshana. Although, this work was followed by many other important
texts on Yoga, but Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is certainly the most
significant wherein no change is possible. It is the only book which
has touched almost all the aspects of human life.
Unlike earlier, Yoga today is no longer restricted to a privileged
minority of hermits; it has taken its place in our every day lives
and have undergone a world wide awakening and acceptance in the
last few decades. The Science of Yoga and its techniques have now
been re-oriented to suit modern sociological needs and lifestyle.
Experts of various branches of medicine including modern medical
science are realizing the role of these techniques in the prevention
of disease and promotion of health.Swami Vivekananda defines Yoga as "It’s a means of compressing
one’s evolution into a single life or a few months or even
a few hours of one’s bodily existence". By Yoga, Sri
Aurobindo, meant a methodological effort towards self perfection
by the development of potentialities latent in the individual.
Yoga is a science as well an art of healthy living physically, mentally,
morally and spiritually. It’s systematic growth from his animal
level to the normalcy, from there to the divinity, ultimately. It’s
no way limited by race, age, sex, religion, cast or creed and can
be practiced by those who seek an education on better living and
those who wants to have a more meaningful life.
Yoga is not a religion; It’s a philosophy of life based on
certain psychological facts and it aims at the development of a
perfect balance between the body and the mind that permits union
with the divine i.e. perfect harmony between the individual and
the cosmos.
Many different interpretations of the word Yoga have been handed
down over the centuries. One of the classic definition of Yoga is
"to be one with divine." It does not matter what name
we use for the divine-God, Allah, Ishvara, or whatever- anything
that brings us closer to understanding that there is a power higher
and greater than ourselves is Yoga. When we feel in harmony with
that higher power, that too is Yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga :
Yoga is one among the six systems of Indian orthodox philosophy.
Maharishi Patanjali, rightly called as the "Father of Yoga"
compiled and refined various aspects of Yoga systematically in his
"Yoga Sutras" (aphorisms). He advocated the eight fold
path of Yoga, popularly known as "Ashtanga Yoga" for all-round
development of human personality. They are – Yama, Niyama,
Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana & Samadhi. These
eight limbs are so perfectly designed that there is absolutely no
scope for any addition or alteration since these are formulated
on the basis of multifarious psychological understanding of human
personality.
The practice of Yamas – Niyamas i.e. harmlessness towards
all living beings, truthfulness, honesty, celibacy, non-hoarding
of worldly objects, cleanliness, contentment, austerity, control
of lust, anger and infatuation, study of holy books and practice
of Japa and selfless action – all these pave way for increasing
the power of concentration, mental purity and steadiness.
Hatha Yoga :
Svatmarama, who wrote a treatise on this subject after experiencing
the nectar of samadhi (absorption of the soul) as Hatha Yoga Vidya
or Hatha Yoga Pradeepika. It gives guidelines from the practical
point of view for a beginner to begin Yoga, which leads the students
gradually from the culture of the body towards the sight of the
soul and God-realisation. Hatha Yoga Pradeepika is divided into
four chapters or Prakaranas. The first chapter expounds Asanas,
the second is on pranayama, the third is on Mudras and Bandhas and
the fourth is on Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and samadhi. In between
these, the author introduces satkriyaas or the six cleansing processes.
As the text begins with asanas, Satmarama’s Yoga is called
Sadanga Yoga or the six aspects of Yoga beginning with asanas and
ending in Samadhi.
A set of Asanas, Mudras and Pranayamas practiced with faith, perseverance
and insight rejuvenates the brain, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas,
kidneys, bowels, nerves, muscles, tissues & glands of the body
by ensuring oxygenated and balanced blood supply, kindles up the
appetite, bestows control over seminal fluid, senses & mind
and imparts increased vitality, vigor & longevity to the practitioner.
Various streams of Yoga :
There are a large numbers of methods of Yoga catering to the needs
of different persons in society. They are broadly classified into
four streams. Swami Vivekananda puts them as Work, Worship, Philosophy
and Psychic control.
Karma Yoga, the path of work, involves doing action in a skilful
way. In other words, it can be said as a way of enjoying work, doing
it effortlessly. The success or failure should not be allowed to
cause ripples in the mind.
‘Bhakti Yoga’ the path of worship is a systematic method
of engaging the mind in the practice of divine love. This attitude
of love softens our emotions and tranquillizes our mind.
Jnana Yoga, the path of philosophy, is a systematic way of tutoring
the mind about the realities of life by contemplation. This will
strip off the garb of Avidya (ignorance) from our mind and the mind
goes to its natural state of rest.
Raja Yoga, the path of psychic control, is a systematic process
of culturing the mind. It is based on the 8-limbed Yoga of Patanjali.
Yoga is a science as well as an art of healthy living. It is no
way limited by race, age, sex, religion, caste, creed and any other
boundaries and can be practiced by those who seek an education on
better living and those who want to have a more meaningful life.
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