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. |
