What is Yoga?
Today, everyone is aware of Yoga, but their knowledge of it is largely limited to physical positions or asanas. But is Yoga a physical practice? The answer is no and there is a lot more to Yoga than just a physical exercise We must comprehend the ancient books’ definitions of yoga in order to find the answer. These ancient scriptures provide a potent yoga message that is far more profound than we realise.
Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means to unite; at least two things must be joined. Additionally, when two or more items are combined, they become one object. Between two objects that have united, there is harmony and connectedness. Yoga emphasizes harmony and the experience of oneness.
Definitions Of Yoga:
Since the inception of this beautiful practise of harmony and connectedness, there have been many definitions that evolved with time.
- ASHTANGA YOGA – PATANJALI DEFINES YOGA AS “Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah” in the Yoga Sutras. Chitt stands for the mind, Vritti for how the mind functions, and Nirodha for control. Yoga helps you control how your mind works. In our minds are our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and conditionings. It is really challenging to control. Yoga is a method for managing all of these mental processes.
- LORD KRISHNA DEFINES YOGA IN THE BHAGAVAD GITA
“Samatvam Yoga Uchyate,” which means “balanced state yoga,” is how Lord Krishna defines yoga.
Yoga is a state of equilibrium. It promotes a state of physical and mental equilibrium. Yoga promotes emotional balance. Yoga promotes mental and intellectual balance. Yoga promotes a balanced way of being. When it’s a happy circumstance, we get enthusiastic, and when it’s a sad situation, we get sad. Yoga aims to keep the mind balanced in any circumstance. The ultimate goal of yoga is to achieve this calmness of mind. - IN ADDITION TO THIS BHAGAVAD GITA ALSO DEFINES YOGA AS.
Yogah karmasu kaushalam: karma is action or behaviour, kaushalam is skill or efficiency, and karmasu is perfect or proper behaviour.
Yoga is an excellent example of an action or behaviour. For our progress and for a good life, perfect action is good action. Perfect action promotes both bodily and mental well-being. Every action we take should be aimed towards preventing unpleasant experiences in life, thus we should steer clear of any behaviour that might do this. For instance, anger should be restrained because it is bad for our bodies and minds. - YOGA VASHISHTHA – Sage Vashishta, the guru of Lord Rama defines Yoga as “Yoga mana prashmana upayah” , mana means “mind,” prashmana means “absolute silence,” and upay means “remedy, cure”
BENEFITS OF YOGA
Yoga is a treatment that helps the mind become calm and absolutely steady. Our default mental state is one of calmness, devoid of distractions, interruptions, challenges, and anguish. The way to achieve this natural condition is through yoga.
Yoga has an easy method. The body will not be under control if the mind is not in check. The body will not be healthy if the mind is not healthy. Studies have shown that the brain, neurological system, and all other bodily organs are impacted by each and every thought. The nervous system and all other organs become out of balance when negative thoughts and emotions are present. Control of the mind is necessary for both physical and mental health because this is the root of all ailments of the body and mind.
A healthy lifestyle is necessary for the harmony of the mind and body. Making our lives more environmentally friendly is a good method to improve our health because this way of living is connected to nature. Yoga aims to bring the body, the mind, and a lifestyle that is in tune with nature into harmony.
BENEFITS OF YOGA
PRE-CLASSICAL YOGA (VEDAS – 10,000 BC – 500 BC)
The Vedas, which date back more than ten thousand years, are the first written records of the science of yoga. The earliest Vedic text discovered dates back roughly 7,500 years. However, it is thought that the Vedas have been passed down orally for considerably more than 10,000 years, if not longer.
Since the very beginning of the origin of yoga, Vedas are considered as first literary heritage of India where Yoga was mentioned
The Vedas contained knowledge of Mother Nature, agriculture, math, astronomy, social sciences, ethics, and morality, as well as culture, the arts, Ayurveda, and many other subjects. The Vedas are made up of religious chants, mantras, and rituals that were propagated during the period. Aranyaka, Samhita, Brahman, and Upanishads are the four divisions of Vedas. The first direct references to yoga can be found in the Upanishads. The major goals of the Upanishads are the ideas of removing the senses, mind mastery, and freedom.
There are four Vedas: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda
The Indus Valley’s Aryan culture, which flourished more than 5,000 years ago, is where the oldest known instances of yoga may be found. Numerous seals featuring a human figure seated in a contemplative pose have been found during archaeological excavations in the area.
RAMAYANA (A Hindu epic)
About 7000 years old, the true story of Lord Rama, is very important to the science of Yoga. The Ramayana consists of 24,000 verses and tells the story of King Rama of the Ayodhya kingdom whose life is all about pain and suffering. But in this testing and difficult time, King Rama maintains his balance and lives virtuous life without compromising on the principles and values of life.
All his actions are for fulfilling duties and responsibilities for others. Despite of this altruistic and unselfish life, he is happy and peaceful at every moment. This is the real idea of yoga.
MAHABHARATA (A Hindu epic)
(Origin of Jnana Yoga)
Mahabharata is another crucial true story for yoga science. It tells the tale of Lord Krishna, the most revered yoga master, who lived roughly 5000 years ago. The Sage Vyasa is credited with penning the Mahabharata, one longest-known epic poems with more than 200,000 verse lines. The Bhagavad Gita, the most important ancient scripture for yoga, is included in this work. Bhagavad Gita is also referred to as the “science of life” or “yoga psychology.” It has answers to issues that arise in daily life for people. Generations have been inspired by the Bhagavad Gita, and major civilizations have adopted its precepts. Many sages, prophets, and yoga teachers considered the Gita to be the most priceless of all knowledge.
The Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between Prince Arjuna, who stands in for human consciousness, and Lord Krishna, who symbolises supreme consciousness. Lord Krishna is questioned by Prince Arjuna regarding his issues. Arjuna is feeling down and hopeless right now. Prince Arjuna is inspired by Lord Krishna to live a life of peace and contentment. Lord Krishna assists him in realising the meaning and purpose of life. The principles of Dharma, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Jnana Yoga are explained by Lord Krishna.
CLASSICAL YOGA – 500 BC
(Origin of Ashtanga Yoga)
The great Sage Patanjali wrote very organised Yoga techniques in approximately 500 BC. He authored the Yoga Sutras to outline the steps involved in awakening and developing the highest mental, intellectual, and spiritual qualities of consciousness. His Ashtanga yoga practice included Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. It also included the Yamas and Niyamas. Sanskrit’s Yoga Sutras are 196 lines long and are broken up into 4 chapters.
HATHA YOGA (600 AD – 1500 AD)
The most well-known form of yoga, Hatha, was created between 600 and 1500 AD. Strengthening and purification of the body-mind are key focuses of hatha yoga. The primary goal is to create harmony in the body and mind, which is accomplished by asana practice, cleaning, pranayama, mudras, and bandhas. Sage Matsyendranath and Gorakhnath created Hatha yoga. This type of yoga was more useful and benefited everyone’s health.
TYPES OF YOGA
ASHTANGA YOGA (PATANJALI’S ASHTANGA YOGA – EIGHT LIMB / STEP YOGA)
The Yoga sutras (Sanskrit Verses) of Patanjali serve as the foundation for Ashtanga yoga. While adhering to the tenets of Patanjali’s Yoga, we shall think about the different aspects of yoga (Ashtanga yoga). In his Sanskrit Sutras(verses), Patanjali systematically outlines the Yama and Niyama, also known as the Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
- Yama (Principles)
- Niyama (Personal Disciplines)
- Asana (Yoga Positions or Yogic Postures)
- Pranayama (Yogic Breathing)
- Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)
- Dharana (Concentration on Object)
- Dhyana (Meditation)
- Samadhi (Salvation)
HATHA YOGA
Asana practice has frequently been referred to as Hatha Yoga (postures). Hatha yoga serves as a catalyst for the awakening of the two energies that guide our life since the syllables “ha” and “tha” stand for the Pranic (vital) power guiding the physical body and the Chitta (mental) force, respectively. More accurately, the Hatha Yoga techniques synchronise, cleanse, and focus the mind in order to set the body up for more complex Chakra and Kundalini activities.
Asana, the six Shatkarmas (physical and mental detoxification treatments), Mudras, Bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques), and Pranayama are all part of the Hatha Yoga system (pranic awakening practices). Higher states of awareness and meditation result from deeper and finer adjustments being made to the human personality.
- Yogasana(Yoga positions)
- Six shatkarmas(physical and mental detox techniques)
- Mudras and Bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques)
- Pranayama
JNANA YOGA
Jnana Yoga is the practice of turning theoretical understanding into useful wisdom. It is the identification of human dharma in connection to the natural world and the cosmos. Tradition describes Jnana Yoga as a way to achieve the highest level of meditative state and inner understanding.
Literally meaning “knowledge,” Jnana refers to the meditative awareness that leads to enlightening wisdom in the context of yoga. It is a component of meditation that leads to self-enquiry and self-realization rather than a method by which we attempt to arrive at logical solutions to timeless questions.
Some of the components of Jnana Yoga are :
- Realizing rather than believing;
- Self-awareness that leads to self-analysis;
- Knowledge.
- Understanding the Personal Nature;
- Developing Intuitive Wisdom;
- Experiencing Inner Unity
MANTRA YOGA
Japa Yoga, Requirements, Mantra Yoga’s State of Consciousness, Chanting Techniques, Mantra Effects, How to Practice, and Mantra Chanting Rules)
It is believed that anyone who can chant or sing the Vedas can only achieve the ultimate salvation or union with supreme consciousness by reciting the mantras, which is the goal of Mantra Yoga. Mantra Yoga has its roots in Tantra as well as Vedic Sciences, and all of the verses in the Vedas are referred to as Mantras.
BHAKTI YOGA
Unwavering devotion is required for the Yoga practice known as Bhakti. This faith essentially affirms the reality of God or the highest awareness in all of its manifestations. Someone like Buddha, Christ, Mohammed, Krishna, or Lord Rama are possible candidates. It might act as his followers’ guru.
The person interested in taking this path must have a very strong emotional bond with the object of faith. This item is receiving emotional energy. Most individuals suppress their emotions, which often results in physical and mental illnesses. This Bhakti Yoga helps to purify the inner self and let go of those suppressed feelings.
KUNDALINI YOGA (FROM THE TANTRAS)
Japa Yoga Conditions, Matra Yoga’s State of Consciousness, Chanting Methods, Mantra Effects, how to practice and Mantra Chanting Rules.
This style of Yoga focuses on the Chakras, or psychic centres, that each person has. Six main Chakras are present in the human body.
The mind is made up of many fragile layers. Each of these layers has a connection to the higher levels of awareness. Each of these levels is connected to the different Chakras or Psychic centres that are spread throughout the psychic body. There are only six major Chakras, which are connected to higher-level realms than the human realm. Each of us has Chakras that connect us to our animal levels of consciousness, innate areas of life, or sublime heights of consciousness.
Higher-level Chakras and the activities connected to these higher mental centres are awakened in Kundalini yoga. The fundamental technique for waking entails focusing intently on these chakras and provoking their arousal. The awakening is aided by the practice of Asanas, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha, and other types of yoga, such as Mantra Yoga.
KARMA YOGA
Karma Yoga is a method for committing oneself to the work. One loses their identity while working; just selfless work is left. It is quite difficult to get to this stage. The effort that is followed by one or more rewards, incentives, or outcomes is typically related to a reward or incentive. But this isn’t Karma Yoga. Karma yoga’s ultimate goals are to evolve into the ideal tool of the super consciousness in this manifested reality and to acquire non-attachment with the work.
In the early stages of Karma Yoga, a person has a strong sense of ego and is, consciously or unconsciously, attached to the outcomes of his work, or at the very least, praise or recognition. However, with perseverance and a change in perspective, one can undoubtedly separate themselves from the ego and their own personalities. In this condition, the labour is transformed into a spiritual act of worship to God, and the person also grows more knowledgeable, competent, and yogic. In any situation, he maintains mental clarity; he never experiences sadness, elation, or contentment. He becomes divine, and all he does embodies the will of God.
Everything in the world is said to be engaged in its own activity until it is completed in adoration of God, according to the Bhagavad Gita, which contains the essence of Karma Yoga. As a result, each task must be performed ceremoniously, and one must be impartial toward the results.
KRIYA YOGA
The word “Kriya” denotes “activity” or “movement” and describes the activity or movement of consciousness. Kriya can also be used to describe a specific form of preparatory or actual practice that results in complete oneness, what practices are meant to achieve. Kriya Yoga doesn’t try to suppress mental turbulence; instead, it deliberately ignites activity and consciousness awakening. This results in the harmony and full development of all faculties.
Kriya yoga has ancient roots and has evolved through practice and learning throughout time. Of the more than 70 Kriyas that make up Kriya Yoga’s whole form, only roughly 20 are well-known.
The Kriya rituals are mentioned in several tantric writings written in Sanskrit. At present time, very few of them have been translated into other languages. The Kriya book is regarded as being the most reliable.
The Kriya Yoga practises were popularised by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and are based on age-old knowledge discovered in the Yoga and Tantra Shastras. The system of Kriya Yoga taught by Paramahamsa Yogananda, who also taught the Kriyas, is one of only two that is widely recognised.
SWARA YOGA
“Swara” is a Sanskrit word that means “sound or note.” Additionally, one nostril is continually supplied with air. Swara yoga is a science that involves managing and directing the breath to realise cosmic consciousness because yoga signifies unity.
Swara Yoga is a scientific field that involves careful examination, observation, and control of the breath, or Swara. The only aspect of pranayama that is directly related to breath control is that. The breath is related to the movements of the sun, moon, various seasons, people’s physical and mental moods, etc. in Swara yoga. Swara Yoga’s philosophy and breathing techniques are therefore more complete.
RAJA YOGA
The yoga theory contained in the Yoga Sutras by Sage Patanjali is often referred to as “Raja Yoga.” Sage Patanjali, also known as Raja Yoga, describes eight stages of yoga in this illustrious work.
The goal of Raja Yoga is to improve human behaviour and personality through the practice of the Yamas (restraint) and Niyamas (disciplines); to achieve physical health and vitality through asanas (postures) and Pranayama (pranic breathing techniques); to manage mental and emotional conflicts and to increase awareness and concentration through Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and Dharana (concentration), and to develop the mind (absorption in the universal identity).
Books For Reference
For Theory
- Goyandka, Harikrishandass : Yoga Darshan,
Geeta Press, Gorakhpur (Samvat 2061).
- Swami Vivekananda : Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga,
(4separate books) Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata, 2011 & 2012
- Sahay G. S. : Hathayogapradipika,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2013
- Gita press Gorakhpur : Shreemad Bhagavadgita,
Gita press Gorakhpur, Samvat 2073
- Kotecha, Vaidya Rajesh : A Beginner’s Guide to Ayurveda,
Chakrapani Publications, Jaipur 2016
- Quality Council of India : Yoga professionals Official Guidebook for Level 1,
(QCI) Excel Books, New Delhi 2016
- Brahmachari Swami Dhirendra : Yogic Sukshma Vyayama,
Dhirendra Yoga Publications, New Delhi, 1986
- Sahay G. S. : Hathayogapradipika,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2013
- Kalayan : Upanishads (23 year Special),
Geeta Press, Gorakhpur
- Gore M. M. : Anatomy and Physiology of Yogic Practices,
Kanchana Prakashana, Lonavala, 2004
- Swami Karmananda : Management of Common Diseases,
Bihar Yoga Publication Trust, 2006, Munger
- Basavaraddi, I. V. & others : Yoga Teachers Manual for School Teachers,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2010
For Practicum
- Brahmachari Swami Dhirendra : Yogic Sukshma Vyayama,
Dhirendra Yoga Publications, New Delhi
- Brahmachari, Swami Dhirendra : Yogasana Vijnana,
Dheerendra Yoga Prakashana, New Delhi
- Iyengar, B. K. S. : Light on Yoga,
Harper Collins Publisher, New Delhi, 2005
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda : Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha,
Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, 2006
- Basavaraddi, I.V. : A Monograph on Yogic Sukshma Vyayama,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2016
- Basavaraddi, I.V. : A Monograph on Shatkarma,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2016
- Basavaraddi, I.V. : A Monograph on Yogasana,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2016
- Basavaraddi, I.V. : A Monograph on Pranayama,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2016
- Tiwari O.P. : Asana Why & How ?
Kaivalyadhama, SMYM Samiti, Lonavla
- Saraswati, Swami Satyananda : Suryanamaskara,
Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, 2006
- Quality Council of India : Yoga professionals Official Guidebook for Level 1,
(QCI) Excel Books, New Delhi 2016
- Basavaraddi, I. V. & others : Yoga Teachers Manual for School Teachers,
MDNIY, New Delhi, 2010
- Gharote, M.L. : Teaching Methods for Yogic practices,
Kaivalyadhama Ashram, Lonavla
- Iyengar, B.K.S : Yoga Shastra (Vol-I & II) Ramamani Iyenger
Memorial Yoga,
Institute, Pune YOG, Mumbai
Ramdev Swami : Pranayama Rahasya