The literal meaning of Yoga is
`joining' that is to reunite the individual self (Jiva) with the absolute or
pure consciousness (Brahma). Union with this unchanging reality liberates
the spirit from all sense of separation, freeing it from the illusions of
time, space and causation. Since according to yogic philosophy the human
body and mind are part of the illusory world of matter, with a limited time
span, while the soul /spirit is eternal and passes onto another world when
this body wears out. Thus, central to yogic philosophy are the concepts of
Karma (cause- effect relationships) and Reincarnation.
Yoga is
therefore regarded as a divine science of life, revealed to enlightened
sages in meditation. First textual mention in the Vedas was corroborated by
oldest archeological evidence of seals from the Indus Valley dating back to
around 3000 B.C. The Upanishads that followed the Vedas provide the main
foundation of Vedanta philosophy (that espouses the idea of an absolute
consciousness called Brahma.
Around the sixth
century B.C. appeared the massive epic The Mahabharata written by sage Vyasa
and containing The Bhagavad Gita. Apparently a set of battlefield
instructions on one's duties in life, they are very allegorical in showing
how the challenges of life have to be faced - so much so that it is often
considered the best book on management ever written. The Gita contains yoga
terms and concepts to enable the reader face life similarly. The backbone of
Raja Yoga is furnished by Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, thought to have been
written in the third century B.C. A yogi named Svatmarama compiled the
classical text on Hatha Yoga, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika that describes the
various asanas and breathing exercises, which form the basis of the practice
of modern yoga, much later.
In the modern perspective, Yoga is
one of the most effective and wholesome forms of experience to control the
waves of thought by converting mental & physical energy into spiritual
energy. Yoga eases away pent-up tension, rejuvenates the body & soul,
enhances concentration, cures diseases and keeps a hold on the aging
process.
Benefits of Yoga
| Preventive Value |
Curative Value |
- Yoga helps to bring natural order and balance to the
neuro-hormones and metabolism in the body.
- At the same time, these exercises improve endocrine metabolism,
thus providing you with a preventive shield
|
- Yogic postures activate the energies that have
accumulated and stagnated in the energy pockets of the body - since
left inert, these energies create various ailments.
- Yogic exercises cleanse your body, mind and consciousness
by venting toxins from the body
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