YOGA

     Yoga is not a religion, it is a science that regulates the individuals physiological and psychological behaviors. It follows the principles of science and hence systematic observations and regular practice of the yogic path are prescribed. Invariably all scholars associate yoga with spirituality. Through this system, they claim, people can awaken their spirituality. Thus the Yoga history is linked with that of Hinduism.

The great saint patanjali was called as the father of yoga. He is the first man who wrote all the teachings of yoga in Sanskrit as Yoga Sutras. Actually, Patanjali is not the originator of Yoga. The Yoga was practiced by our ancestors centuries before Patanjali’s birth. But only limited information is known about him that many scholars have come up with different views. But it is to generally agreed that the Yoga Sutra was written between 300 and 200 BC.

Meaning of Yoga:

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit term yuj which means to join, or to unite, or to bind. Different authors give different meanings. We can say that the basic meaning of the word Yoga is union or merger. It is a union of spiritual nature. It is the true union of the soul called human being, jeevathma with the God paramathma.

                                    Patanjali’s Second Sutra has only four words.They are:

                                                “Yogaha Citta Vritti Nirodhaha”

They denote the following:

practice...

           Hence, Patanjali defines that Yoga is controlling or sitting the mind’s movement. Bhoja, one of the classical commentators on those aphorisms, defines Patanjali’s use of the word Yoga as an effort separate the atmon (the reality) from the non-atman (the apparent).One who practices this is called Yogi.

Yoga Sutra:

           Sutra means thread. Philosophically speaking a thread is binding a large number of beads in a rosary. The condensed words or statements are joining together to outline a philosophy. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is the basic literature for the Yoga as a whole. Patanjali has given the whole concept of Yoga in Yoga Sutra as four sections.

                 

Concept of Yoga:

Yoga is a very ancient discipline. It is recognized as one of the most important and valuable gifts of our heritage. Today the world is looking to Yoga for solving the various problems men are facting. At no time in the past Yoga had attracted so much attention from people in so many places in the world as is today.

In spite of this fact, no field is so miserably misunderstood as Yoga in India. If we take a cross section of society and make general survey of the public opinion about Yoga, we find many misconceptions about Yoga. The most common which are:

À Yoga is not meant for the ordinary person, the average householder but is only for a select few.

À Yoga is wrongly associated with idea of the supernatural or linked with miracles. Yoga is equated with mysticism or black magic.        

À  Yoga is a system of therapies which cures all diseases.

À Yoga is a system of philosophy dealing with metaphysical theories about the universe.

À     Yoga is just a system of exercise.

All these misconceptions indicate that most people are unable to see Yoga as a whole concept, but are only aware of a fragment of its potential.

SYSTEM OF YOGA:

The different types of India’s Yoga systems, by which a man can achieve the aims of Yoga, are as follows:

Bhakthi Yoga:

            In Bhakthi Yoga, People who believe in God are involved. Through devotion they try to reach their personal God’s. For such emotional realization comes through sheer devotion. The true devotes is a follower of Bhakthi Yoga. 

Jnana Yoga:

            For some people realization of God or Absolute truth is possible through knowledge. They are intellectual people and are called followers of Jnana Yoga.

Karma Yoga:

The active man finds realization through karma Yoga, in which he/she realizes his/her own divinity through work and duty. This is a path of selfless action and service done without thoughts about fruits of action.

Kundalini Yoga:

            Kundalini Yoga is an integrated technique in which latent psychic nerve force within the body is aroused through intense concentration of mind. This psychic force is referred to as serpent power Kundalini, which reminds in coils at the base of the spine. The aroused force is taken upward through the spine, through several power centre called chakras, until it finally reaches the Sahasrara Chakara in the crown of the head.

Mantra Yoga:

            Mantra Yoga is attaining moral power by chanting a mantra. A mantra is an articulated sound of certain syllables. It may be a word or part of a word or a word phrase. The Transcendental Meditation taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is based on Mantra Yoga.

Hatha Yoga:

            Hatha Yoga is the practice of postures asanas and breathing control pranayamas with a view to finding calm, mental balance and peace of mind. Bodily health is very important or mental growth. Health Yoga is a purifiactory preparation for Raja Yoga.

Raja Yoga:

            Hatha Yoga works upon the body, Purifying and perfecting it, and through the body controls the mind. Raja Yoga attempts to refine and perfect the mind. Mainly it deals with dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (self-realization). The Raja Yoga is nothing but mental control.