Are you a Yoga guy? Do you want to understand Yoga in its real sense? If yes, please proceed to read further. If no, why not give it a try and see how you're already a Yoga guy or a Yogi.
I find it quite interesting that a lot of pro Yoga news comes from western countries however the roots of Yoga as part of knowledge lies in ancient India. Another interesting fact that I keep track of how Yoga is becoming more popular among women everywhere.
According to a survey I found that the gender gap in yoga is very wide. Nonetheless whenever I got a chance to talk with a normie (not a yogi), everyone had positive vibes about yoga but none of them knew what truly is Yoga in its real sense? Is it another form of exercise? Is it some spiritual journey? Is it a mixture of both? Let's find out.
Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man & Nature.1
The most important thing, however, is that Yoga is a powerful means to the ultimate end of life. The ultimate end of all human pursuits is “Moksha” — shunning away all human pursuits for everlasting peace, happiness and a sense of fulfillment. This is easily possible with steady and prolonged sincere practice of Yoga. It activates a process of cleansing and purification of mind, which in turn, prepares us for the dawning of Self-knowledge. Now back to definition and see "yuj" in Yoga means this connection; this knowledge that removes the impurities and the veil of ignorance that keeps us strangers to ourselves.
So, Yoga should never be mistaken for any other mode of exercise, which is operational only on a physical level.
In fact Yoga is a way of life; it is not removed from it. We do not need to feel disappointed or frustrated considering our limitations with regard to physical health; shape and size of the body; lack of time; lack of space or unavailability of a teacher. Yoga is the means to overcome all these problems. Yoga includes every aspect of life. Yoga touches everything in life. All healing methods and meditations are part and parcel of Yoga.
No, I'm not a Yogi, I want to read more.
Alright. First have a look at this poster.
Let's read more.
The [Bhagwad Gita, a very widely known classical text on Yoga, gives various definitions of Yoga. 2
- Yoga is equanimity of mind in success and failure.
- Yoga is discretion in work.
- Yoga is the remover of misery and destroyer of pain.Yoga is the supreme secret of life.
- Yoga is serenity.
- Yoga is the giver of infinite happiness.
- Patañjali, the author of the classical Yoga text, The Yoga Sutras, defines Yoga as, “complete control over patterns or modifications of the mind.”
Aren't you a Yogi now?
You've already got a glimpse of how broad the scope of yoga is, it is further divided into five main branches:
- Jnana Yoga: the Yoga committed to inquiry (knowledge Yoga).
- Karma Yoga: the Yoga committed to selfless service and Dharma (Work Yoga).
- Bhakti Yoga: the Yoga devoted to love and devotion to God.
- Raja Yoga: the Yoga committed to introspection and contemplation.
- Hatha Yoga: the Yoga devoted to the discipline of the body and the balance of the mental, physical and subtle forces of the body through the practice of asana and pranayama
So, basically the whole world performs yoga unknowingly or knowingly. In our contemporary world it is 'Hatha Yoga' which is stressed upon and other branches are not talked too much. But when you ask an Indian guy and ask him about the others, he may very well define them easily.
Do you still say you aren't a Yogi?
Although Yoga has become immensely popular still many of us may not be interested because there are sury other ways, which I don't oppose, have helped us gain the connect the "yuj". But when you look at all other forms of exercises, they are quite evidently linked to the 'Yuj".
So, before I proceed with regular yoga posts, I thought of making you aware how broad Yoga is and what we actually achieve by practicing Yoga. I hope I've successfully given you some brief idea about Yoga, still you can ask me anything about it, I'll be happy to answer.
Here you'll be talking someone who has learnt and practiced Yoga because it was a compulsory subject in her school.
I'd also like to ask you a few questions;
-
Are you a "Yoga" guy? (Needless? Everyone's a yogi!)
-
How did you find yoga?
-
What benefits did you get out of it?
-
What's your Yoga routine?
-
Would you like to learn Yoga and it's benefits (various implications on body and soul)?
Waiting for your answers...
Thanks for reading.