|
Yoga
Yoga is a
system of exercises for the physical & mental well being. It combines stylised
poses with deep breathing and meditation. The term yoga itself is derived from a
Sanskrit word meaning 'to join together'. The ultimate aim of yoga it to unite
the human soul with the universal sprit
Yoga was developed
about 5 thousand years ago. Its founders were great Sages who carried out
intense feats of physical and mental concentration. Yoga has its origins in the
Vedas, the oldest records of Indian culture. The great Indian sage Patanjali who
described a series of postures or Asanas, which the student gradually tries to
attain, systematized it. 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 the all-round development of the human personality.
According to
Patanjali, within the human body there are channels called Nadi & centres called
chakra. If these channels & centres are tapped, energy hidden in the body can be
released. This energy is called kundalini.
The eight stages of
yoga stated by Patanjali
1. The yama (universal moral commandments)
Five ethical guidelines regarding moral behavior towards others:
Ahimsa: Nonviolence
Satya: Truthfulness
Asteya: Nonstealing
Brahmacharya: Nonlust
Aparigraha: Noncovetesness
2. Niyama (self-purification through discipline)
Five ethical
guidelines regarding moral behavior towards oneself:
Saucha: Cleanliness
Santosa: Contentment
Tapas: Sustained Practice
Svadhyaya: Self Study
Isvara pranidhana: Surrender to God
3. Asana (posture)
Practice of yoga postures.
4.
Pranayama (breath control)
Practice of
breathing exercises.
5.
Pratyahara (withdrawal of mind
from external objects)
Withdrawal of the
senses, meaning that the exterior world is not a distraction from the interior
world within oneself.
6.
Dharana (concentration)
Concentration,
meaning the ability to focus on something uninterrupted by external or internal
distractions.
7.
Dhyana (meditation)
Meditation. Building
upon Dharana, the concentration is no longer focused on a single thing but is
all encompassing.
8.
Samadhi (state of super
consciousness)
Bliss. Building upon Dhyana, the transcendence of the self through meditation.
The merging of the self with the universe. Sometimes translated as
enlightenment.
Besides the
different stages in yoga, there are various forms of discipline touching
different aspects of human life. These disciplines include
BENEFITS OF YOGA
This ancient health & fitness practice
provides both physical & mental therapy.
It considers ageing as largely an
artificial condition, caused mainly by
autointoxication or self-poisoning. By
keeping the body parts clean and well
lubricated, cell deterioration can be
greately reduced. To get the maximum
benefits of yoga one has to follow three
main guidelines i.e. practice of
asanas,
pranayama and yoga nidra.
With the regular
practice of asanas, we control our cholesterol level, reduce weight, normalise
blood pressure and improve cardiac performance. Asanas harmonize our mental
energy flow by clearing any blockages in the subtle body, leading to mental
equilibrium & calmness.
***********************************************************************************************
People from all over
the world travel to India to learn the ancient science of yoga. The tradition of
Yoga was born in India several thousand years ago. Yoga is practiced all over
the world today.
-----ADVERTISEMENT-----
|
