Yoga
(Sanskrit: yôga) refers to traditional
physical and mental disciplines originating
in India. The word is associated with
meditative practices in Buddhism and
Hinduism. In Hinduism, it also refers
to one of the six orthodox (astika)
schools of Hindu philosophy, and to
the goal toward which that school
directs its practices. In Jainism
it refers to the sum total of all
activities—mental, verbal and
physical.
Major branches of
yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja
Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti
Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Raja Yoga, compiled
in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and
known simply as yoga in the context
of Hindu philosophy, is part of the
Samkhya tradition. Many other Hindu
texts discuss aspects of yoga, including
Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita
and various Tantras.
The Sanskrit word
yoga has many meanings, and is derived
from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning
"to control", "to yoke"
or "to unite". Translations
include "joining", "uniting",
"union", "conjunction",
and "means". Outside India,
the term yoga is typically associated
with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures)
or as a form of exercise. Someone
who practices yoga or follows the
yoga philosophy is called a Yogi.
The Yoga Sutra is
considered the fundamental text on
the system of yoga, and yet you wont
find the description of a single posture
or asana in it. This is a guide for
living the right life. Essentially,
Patanjali says, you can't practice
asanas in yoga class, feel the stretch,
and then go home to play with your
kids, cook a meal, yell at your employees,
and cheat on your taxes. There is
more to yoga than that — yoga
can help you cultivate body, mind,
and spiritual awareness.
The heart of yoga
teachings is the eightfold path of
yoga. It is also called the eight
limbs of Patanjali, because they intertwine
like the branches of a tree in the
forest. These aren't commandments
(although they sometimes sound like
them), laws, or hard and fast rules.
These are Patanjali's suggestions
for living a better life through yoga.
Here are the eight limbs of Patanjali.
Yama : Universal morality
Niyama : Personal
observances
Asanas : Body postures
Pranayama : Breathing
exercises, and control of prana
Pratyahara : Control
of the senses
Dharana : Concentration
and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
Dhyana : Devotion,
Meditation on the Divine
Samadhi : Union with
the Divine |