Yoga

Yoga is one of the most ancient spiritual concepts of East, and despite a philosophical look it has an equally significant physical basis. It is not a body of doctrines, theories or principles. Intellectual problems or inquiries as to 'why' or 'whence' are not the areas of yogic deliberations. Boiled down to basics, Yoga is a collection of simple practices, a kind of body rituals, consisting of action, method and technique.

The Bhagvad Gita clarifies this interpretation and lays stress upon the Karma Yoga. This scripture says 'Work alone is your privilege, never the fruits thereof. Never let the fruits of action be your motive; and never cease to work. Work in the name of the Lord, abandoning selfish desires. Be not affected by success or failure. This equipoise is called Yoga.'

The Kathopnishad describes Yoga thus: 'When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not - then, say the wise, is reached the highest stage. This steady control of the senses and mind has been defined as Yoga. He who is free form delusion.'

The Philosophy of Yoga

What exactly IS yoga? The answer isn't simple. Yoga is part metaphysics and part philosophy, with a strong physical base. Yoga is about seeking the universal truth through simple practices, body rituals and techniques that tie in to its fundamental theme of yoking (connecting) the body with the infinite spirit of the universe. Indeed, the word "yoga" itself comes from the Sanskrit "yuj," which means to yoke or to join.

According to BKS Iyengar, proponent of a popular yoga form that bears his name, yoga is "the method by which the restless mind is calmed and the energy directed into constructive channels." Indeed, the Indian sage Patanjali, who is revered as the Father of Yoga by all practitioners, defines purpose of the eight limbs of yoga as "yogas citta vritti nirodhah." This Sanskrit phrase translates as "Yoga begins when thinking stops."

The philosophy of yoga is to help one achieve a certain poise of equanimity, to look at all aspects of life—pleasure as well as pain—with acceptance and serenity. And although yoga's roots lie deep in the Hindu world of gods and goddesses, yoga itself is NOT a religion. Religion, one can argue, is often about teaching you what to do. Yoga teaches you how to be. The fact is, yoga is universal and practitioners are always welcome to use their own concept of God to help guide them toward higher levels of yogic performance. Besides, tenets of yoga are found in many of the world's major religions. For instance, Christendom's St. Francis of Assisi was an avowed yogi. And Judaism's Kabbalah draws heavily on aspects of the yogic science of breath.

All About Re-Connecting with Your True Inner Self

What then is the core philosophy of yoga? Perhaps it is this: Despite our own true nature, people usually become far too distracted with their own mind and body and material objects. They lose sight of this fundamental truth. This false identification makes us feel imperfect, limited, sorrowful and at loss. Yoga seeks to provide people with a way to cast off this ignorance and become aware of their true divine self. The goal is to free a person from those imperfections and to unite him or her with their supreme universal self.

Yoga, then, is the union of the individual with absolute reality—and the yogi or yogini's journey is all about finding peace, harmony and the greatest truth of all.

To learn more about Yoga and it's principles contact our featured Certified Yoga Instructor

 Source: Its Yoga and Healthtree

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