History of Yoga # योग का इतिहास

 

What is Yoga? Yoga means "a system of exercises for the body that involves breath control and helps relax both your mind and body.'

Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice

Yoga Sutras provide the traditional foundation of yoga, in which he outlines an eightfold path of the practice. Known as the ‘Eight Limbs of Yoga,’ this path offers a guide to individuals who are dedicated to creating a union between body, mind and spirit.

Each of the Eight Limbs offers a means of living with more integrity, self-discipline, respect for nature and connection with the spiritual aspects of life. These eight practices are intended to be carried out in a holistic and integrative manner:

1.Yama : - " What you don't have to do in your daily life "

• Ahimsa (A Principles of Nonviolence) :-" Ahimsa means not to harm anyone."

• Satya (A Principle of Truthfulness) : - " Don't say Lie. Speak the truth."

• Asteya (A Principle of Non- Stealing) :-" Don't steal anything from anyone."

• Brahmacharya (Respect) :- " Respect women. Don't harm them."

• Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness) :- " Don't be too much greedy."

2. Niyama :-" What you have to do in your daily life "

• Shaucha Purity) :- " Keep yourself hygienic."

• Santosha (Satisfied) :-" Be satisfied with what you have."

• Tapa (Endurance) :- " Bear trouble to achieve good task."

• Swadhyay (Self Study): - " Study good and knowledgeable."

• Ishwara pranidhana (worship with complete faith) :- "Whatever we earn always give credit to God."

3. Asana (Postures): - "Remains us physically fit."

4. Pranayama (Breathing): - "Improve internal organs & cure disease."

5. Pratyahara (Positive thinking): -"Remove negativity from your mind."

6. Dharana (Good Thought): - "Keep good thoughts in your mind."

7. Dhyana (Meditation): - "To focus on an Object."

8. Samadhi (Soul): - "To connect our soul with God soul."

The four traditional paths of yoga are:

1. Bhakti (devotion)
2. Karma (action/selfless service)
3. Jnana (knowledge/self-study)
4. Raja (self discipline/practice).

Although modern schools of yoga such as Jivamukti, Bikram and Sivananda offer alternative interpretations, most are rooted in the same philosophical concepts and practices as Patanjali’s Eight Limbs.

Yoga is also used as a therapeutic tool for many physical and mental conditions, and mind-body research is now demonstrating its effectiveness as a treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to name but a few.

Yoga is also commonly understood as a therapy or exercise system for health and fitness. While physical and mental health are natural consequences of yoga, the goal of yoga is more far-reaching. "Yoga is about harmonizing oneself with the universe. It is the technology of aligning individual geometry with the cosmic, to achieve the highest level of perception and harmony.”

Yoga works on the level of one’s body, mind, emotion and energy. This has given rise to four broad classifications of Yoga: karma yoga, where we utilize the body; bhakti yoga, where we utilize the emotions; gyana yoga, where we utilize the mind and intelect; and kriya yoga, where we utilize the energy. Thank You!