YOGA is the Union of 3 things
- Body
- Mind
- Soul
The Sanskrit word “YUJ” is the source of the word “yoga.” The root word “Yuj” in Sanskrit means “to yoke,” “to connect,” or “to join.” Most Hindu writings mention Yoga as a method for training the senses and, ultimately, the intellect/ mind. Yoga’s fundamental goal is oneness with the Divine. Yoga promotes harmony in mind, words, and body.
Yoga is a mind-body exercise. Yoga comes in various forms, each combining physical poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation or meditation. Yoga is an ancient practice that started in India. It incorporates breathing exercises, movement, and meditation to enhance physical and mental health.
The main objective of Yoga
- To get back to our essential human nature.
- Physical and mental purification
- To draw us nearer to the Divine.
History
Vedas and its subdivisions
One of the oldest and most revered scriptures in human history is the Rig Veda. It dates back 8000-10,000 years. The Rig Veda is a prehistoric book of Vedic Sanskrit hymns from India. Part of this Vedic literature is yoga. Yoga is under the authority of Maharishi Patanjali. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, dating from the second century B.C., became known in the West only in the twentieth century through Swami Vivekanand. He was the first Hindu teacher to actively promote the non-asana components of yoga and bring them to a Western audience.
In medieval India, yoga was practised only by the royal and educated classes. After passing a demanding examination, students were allowed to learn it in gurukuls. Through the efforts of numerous spiritual and religious leaders in India, yoga became accessible to the average citizen and every individual worldwide.
Bhagwat Geeta says – “ Yogah Karmarv Kaushalam”
Meaning: Yoga is a skill in action and expression.
Yoga is more than just a workout; it teaches us how to interact and behave effectively in any scenario. Here, it is more commonly referred to as mental talent. For example, if you do something out of love and joy, whether you are sitting, enjoying a sunset, working, standing, or cooking food, you are a yogi and a karma yogi. Yoga is not the same action performed without love or attention.
Yogi/Yogini follows the yoga philosophy with a substantial degree of dedication.
- Yogi: a male yoga practitioner
- Yogini: a woman who practices Yoga
Krishna says in Bhagwat Geeta – “Samatvam Yog Vchitte”
Meaning: Equanimity in mind is a sign of Yoga.
Yoga is the ability to stay focused under difficult circumstances. Exercises like yoga and meditation help keep the body in good shape. Yoga combines several facets of existence. Everyone who is engaged in something is practicing yoga. The path is more peaceful, joyful and enjoyable when you are in harmony with yourself.
Meditation: Aspects of meditation include quieting the mind, paying attention to our thoughts and feelings, and focusing on one thing. Our mind generates on average about 60000 thoughts per day. During meditation, beta and theta brain waves are generated. These calming brain waves are active just before sleep when you are lying in the sun, or immediately after a hot bath.
Maharishi Patanjali elucidated eight limbs of Yoga.
- Yama – Social Ethics
- Niyama – Personal Ethics
- Asana – Postures
- Pranayama – Directing the life force
- Pratyahara – learning the senses inwards
- Dharma – 1 pointed focus
- Dhyana – Meditation
- Samadhi – Merging with the self
Yoga is now mostly thought of in terms of physical postures. While keeping a calm state of mind is the core message of Yoga.
Chakras
Chakra is Sanskrit for “spinning wheel.”
According to yoga, the physical body, ideas, emotions and energy are all centred in the chakras. According to the yoga gurus, their chakras influence people’s emotional reactions, desires and aversions, levels of confidence and fear, and even physical symptoms and effects.
When the energy in a chakra is blocked, it leads to physical, mental or emotional imbalances that manifest in symptoms such as worry, sluggishness or poor digestion. The numerous physical postures used in hatha yoga are called asanas. Yoga practitioners use asanas to release energy and balance a chakra.
- Sahasrara: The crown chakra at the top of the head represents the connection to the spiritual world
- Ajna: The third eye chakra, located between the eyebrows, is associated with intuition
- Vishuddha: The throat chakra is associated with verbal communication and immunity, according to Vishuddha
- Anahata: The heart chakra, located in the centre of the chest, influences personal and professional interactions, according to Anahata. Asymmetry in this chakra affects how oxygen, hormones, tissues and organs are controlled
- Manipura: The solar plexus chakra is located in the lower abdomen or Manipura. It is a symbol of knowledge, self-control and self-confidence
- Svadhistha: The sacral chakra, located just below the navel, connects pleasure, well-being and energy.
- Muladhara: The root chakra, located at the base of the spine, keeps the person grounded and connects the mind and body to the earth. The parasympathetic nervous system and the sciatic nerves are under their control.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga has numerous positive effects on the body and mind:
- More flexibility while strengthening the muscles
- Promotion of improved breathing
- Promoting heart health and assisting with addiction treatment, reducing anxiety, stress and depression, and chronic pain
- Increasing overall well-being and quality of life by improving sleep
- By reducing stress, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and improving mental/emotional health, sleep, and balance, you can improve your overall well-being.
- Relieve neck and back pain, as well as pain from tension headaches and osteoarthritis in the knees.
- Encourage overweight and obese people to reduce their weight.
- Assist smokers in quitting.
- Help people cope with anxiety or depression caused by difficult circumstances.
- Relieve the symptoms of menopause.
- Help people with chronic illnesses control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
If at all feasible, seek advice from a doctor before beginning a yoga practice.
Risks and Side Effects of Yoga
- Yoga is usually considered a safe form of exercise for healthy people when practised correctly and under the guidance of a certified instructor. However, injuries can still occur, just as they do with other types of activities. Sprains and strains are the most common injuries, and the knee or lower leg is the most commonly injured area of the body. Serious wounds are uncommon. Compared to more strenuous physical activities, yoga has a lower risk of injury.
- Older people may need to take extra precautions when practising yoga. Compared to younger people, people 65 and older have a higher proportion of yoga-related injuries treated in the emergency department.
- Yoga should only be practised when you are well-rested, exhausted, in a hurry, or under severe stress. Regular yoga practice, especially asanas, should be avoided by women during their menstrual period. Instead, you can practice pranayama and relaxation techniques. Avoid doing yoga right after eating.
Summary
Yoga is a long tradition that has evolved over the years. Postures that promote inner peace and physical vitality are the focus of today’s yoga. In the past, yoga was less about physical fitness. Instead, it was about promoting spiritual life and developing mental clarity. Yoga comes in a multitude of variations. Depending on one’s expectations and physical flexibility, one chooses a particular style. Yoga should be practiced slowly and carefully by people with certain medical problems, such as sciatica. Yoga can promote an active, balanced lifestyle.