Introduction: Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on very subtle science which focuses on establishing harmony between mind and body. It is the art and science of healthy living. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj which means to join or to unite or to join. According to the texts related to yoga, by doing yoga, one's consciousness gets connected with the consciousness of the universe, which signifies perfect harmony between mind and body, man and nature. According to modern scientists, everything in the universe is just a manifestation of the same magnitude. One who realizes this oneness of existence is said to be situated in yoga and is called as a yogi who has attained the state of liberation which is called Mukti, Nirvana or Moksha. Thus, the goal of yoga is self-realization, freedom from all kinds of suffering leading to the state of moksha or the state of Kaivalya. Living with freedom in every sphere of life, health and harmony will be the main objectives of doing yoga. Yoga also refers to an internal science which includes various methods through which human beings can realize this unity and control their destiny. Since yoga is largely regarded as an immortal cultural outcome of the Indus-Sarasvati Valley Civilization, which has a history dating back to 2700 BCE, it has proved that it is both a physical and spiritual upliftment of humanity. makes it possible. Basic human values are the hallmark of yoga practice.
Brief History and Development of Yoga:
It is believed that yoga is being practiced since the beginning of civilization. The science of yoga originated thousands of years ago, long before the first religions or faiths were born. In Yoga Vidya, Shiva is considered as the first Yogi or Adi Yogi and the first Guru or Adi Guru.
Several thousand years ago, on the banks of Lake Kanti Sarovar in the Himalayas, Adi Yogi passed on his enlightened knowledge to his famous Saptarishi. The Saptarishis took this powerful science of yoga to different parts of the world including Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and South America. Interestingly, modern scholars have noted the close parallels found between ancient cultures throughout the world. However, it was in India that yoga found its fullest expression. A Saptarishi named Augusta, who toured the entire Indian subcontinent, built this culture around living a yogic way of life.
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| Several fossil remains and seals of the Indus-Saraswati Valley Civilization with Pitras performing Yoga suggest the presence of Yoga in India. |
The seals of the idols, sex symbols suggest tantra yoga. Yoga is present in folk traditions, Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic and Upanishad heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, philosophies, epics called Mahabharata and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas, Vaishnavas and Tantric traditions. In addition, there was an adi or pure yoga that is expressed in the mystic traditions of South Asia. This was a time when yoga was performed under the direct guidance of a guru and special importance was given to its spiritual value. It was a part of worship and yoga practice was ingrained in their rituals. The sun was given the highest importance during the Vedic period. It may be because of this influence that the practice of 'Surya Namaskar' was invented later. Pranayama was a part of daily rituals and was done for dedication. Although yoga was practiced in the pre-Vedic period, the great sage Maharishi Patanjali, through his Yoga Sutras, systematized and codified the existing practices of yoga, its meaning and related knowledge through his Yoga Sutras. After Patanjali, many sages and yoga masters contributed greatly to the preservation and development of yoga through their well-documented practices and literature.
.jpeg "Surya Namaskar") |
Surya Namaskar |
Historical evidence of the existence of yoga was seen in the pre-Vedic period (2700 BC) and thereafter till the Patanjali period. The main sources from which we get information about the practices of yoga and related literature during this period are Vedas (4), Upanishads (18), Smritis, Buddhism, Jainism, Panini, teachings of the epics (2), Available in Puranas (18) etc.
Provisionally the period between 500 BC - 800 AD is considered as the superior period which is also considered as the most fertile and important period in the history and development of yoga. During this period, Vyasa's commentaries on the Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita etc. came into existence. This period can be mainly dedicated to the two great religious preachers of India - Mahavira and Buddha. The five great vows – the Pancha Mahavratas by Mahavira and the Ashta Magga or Eight Paths conceptualized by the Buddha – can be considered as the initial nature of yoga practice. We find a more lucid explanation of this in the Bhagavad Gita, in which the concepts of Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga are elaborated. These three types of yoga are still the highest examples of human intelligence and even today people get peace by following the methods shown in the Gita. Not only does the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali contain the various components of yoga, but it is mainly identified with the eight paths of yoga. A very important commentary on the Yoga Sutras was also written by Vyasa. During this period, importance was given to the mind and through yoga practice it was clearly explained that both mind and body can be controlled to experience equanimity. The period between 800 AD – 1700 AD is considered as the later period of excellence in which the teachings of the great Acharyatriyas – Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya – were prominent during this period. The teachings of Sudarshan, Tulsi Das, Purandar Das, Mirabai made great contributions during this period. Nath Yogis of the Hatha Yoga tradition such as Matsyendra Nath, Gorakh Nath, Gaurangi Nath, Swatmaram Suri, Gheranda, Srinivas Bhatt are some of the great personalities who popularized the tradition of Hatha Yoga during this period.
The period between 1700 - 1900 AD is considered as the modern period in which great yoga masters - Raman Maharishi, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Paramahansa Yogananda, Vivekananda etc. contributed to the development of Raja Yoga. This is the period in which Vedanta, Bhakti Yoga, Nath Yoga or Hatha Yoga flourished. Shadanga - Yoga of Goraksha Shatakam, Chaturanga - Yoga of Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Saptanga - Yoga of Gheranda Samhita - were the main roots of Hatha Yoga.
Now in the contemporary era, everyone has faith in yoga for the preservation, maintenance and promotion of health. Today Yoga spread all over the world with the teachings of great personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Sri T Krishnamacharya, Swami Kuvalayananda, Sri Yogendra, Swami Rama, Sri Aurobindo, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Acharya Rajneesh, Pattabhijois, BKS Iyengar, Swami Satyendra Saraswati etc. Is.
.jpeg "BKS Iyengar was the founder of the yoga style known as \"Iyengar Yoga\" and is regarded as one of the best yoga teachers in the world.") |
| BKS Iyengar was the founder of the yoga style known as "Iyengar Yoga" and is regarded as one of the best yoga teachers in the world. |
Dispelling misconceptions: |
For many people, the meaning of yoga is limited to hatha yoga and asanas. However, only three sutras describe asanas in the Yoga Sutras. Basically hatha yoga is a preparation process so that the body can tolerate higher levels of energy. The process starts with the body and then comes the breathing, the mind and the innermost.
Generally, yoga is understood as a method of therapy or exercise for health and fitness. Although physical and mental health are the natural consequences of yoga, the goal of yoga is far-reaching. “Yoga is about harmonizing oneself with the universe. It is the art of aligning one's own geometry with the universe to achieve the highest level of feeling and harmony.
Yoga does not follow any particular religion, belief system or community; It has always been seen as an art for the health of the innermost. Anyone who practices yoga with engrossment can reap its benefits, whatever their religion, caste or culture. Traditional Styles of Yoga: These different philosophies, traditions, lineages and guru-disciple traditions of yoga paved the way for the emergence of these different traditional styles of yoga, for example Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Meditation Yoga, Patanjali Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jain Yoga, Buddha Yoga etc. Each style has its own principles and practices that lead to the ultimate goal and objectives of yoga.
Methods of Yoga for Health and Wellness: The Yoga practices performed on a wide scale are as follows: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi/ Samyama, Bandhas and Mudras, Shatkarma, Yukta Diet, Yukta Karma Mantra chanting etc. Yamas are restraints and rules are conduct. These are considered as the first requirement for yoga practice. The posture, capable of bringing stability of body and mind, adopts various patterns of the body (mental - physical) for a long period under 'Kuryat tad asanam sthariyam...', providing the ability to maintain the posture of the body (through its structural existence). stable consciousness).
Mudrapranayama involves creating awareness of one's breathing and voluntarily regulating the breath as a functional or vital basis of one's existence. It helps in developing the consciousness of one's mind and also helps in controlling the mind. In the initial stages, this is done by creating awareness of the inhalation through the nostrils, mouth and other openings of the body, its internal and external passages and destinations. Later, through regulated, controlled and supervised breathing, this scenario is modified to create awareness that the body's spaces are being filled (puraka), the spaces remain in the filled state (kumbhaka) and regulated, It is being emptied during controlled and supervised exhalation (laxative).
Pratyahara symbolizes detachment of our consciousness from the senses, which help us to stay connected to external objects. Dharana denotes a wide area of attention (within body and mind), which is often understood as concentration. Meditation is to center oneself within the body and mind and samadhi - integration.
Bandhas and mudras are the practices associated with pranayama. These are seen as a higher practice of yoga because they mainly involve the adoption of certain body (physical - mental) systems with control over the breath. This makes the control of the mind more easy and paves the way for higher accomplishment of yoga. Shatakarmas are detoxification procedures and help to remove accumulated toxins from the body and are clinical in nature.
Yuktahara (right food and other inputs) advocates proper diet and eating habits for a healthy life. However, a meditation practice that helps lead to self-realization, which leads to culmination, is regarded as the essence of yoga practice.
Fundamentals of Yoga Sadhana:
Yoga works on our body, mind, emotion and energy levels. Because of this, yoga is broadly divided into four parts: karma yoga, where we use our body; Bhaktiyoga, where we use our emotions; Jnana Yoga, where we use the mind and intellect, and Kriya Yoga, where we use our energy.
Any method of yoga practice that we use falls under one or more of these categories. Every person is a unique combination of these four factors. "All the ancient commentaries on yoga emphasize that it is necessary to work under the guidance of a guru." This is because the guru can create the appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths that are necessary for every seeker. it happens. Yoga education: Traditionally, in families (comparable to the education imparted in convents in the West) by learned, experienced and intelligent persons and then in ashrams (comparable to monasteries) by rishis/ The teachings of Yoga were imparted by the Munis/Acharyas. On the other hand, the purpose of teaching yoga is to take care of the individual, the existence. It is believed that a good, balanced, integrated, truthful, clean, transparent person will be more useful for oneself, family, society, nation, nature and entire humanity. The teaching of yoga is the education of the self. The details of working with the Self are outlined in the various living traditions and lessons and methods that contribute to this important field known as yoga.
Nowadays, Yoga education is being imparted by many renowned Yoga Institutes, Yoga Universities, Yoga Colleges, Yoga Departments of Universities, Naturopathy Colleges and Private Trusts and Societies. Several Yoga Clinics, Yoga Therapy and Yoga Training Centers, Preventive Health Care Units of Yoga, Yoga Research Centers etc. have been established in Hospitals, Dispensaries, Medical Institutions and Curative Establishments.
Various social customs and rituals in India, the land of yoga, demonstrate love for ecological balance, tolerance for the way of thinking of others and empathy for all beings. All types of yoga practice are considered as a panacea for a meaningful life and living. Its enlightenment for comprehensive health, both social and individual, makes its practice useful for people of all religions, races and nationalities.
Benefits of Yoga :
Yoga has sure benefit when it practiced regularly. It keeps away most of the ailments from our mind and body. The journey through life will be happy, calm and more fulfilling if the people are in congruence. So, if you want to develop a strong and flexible body, lose weight, being at peace, good health & mental, good looking and charming then you can achieve it all by practicing yoga regularly.
By practicing yoga, we can also sharpen our mind and improve our intelligence. A higher level of concentration can be achieved through yoga practice. In addition, it also helps us to develop self-discipline and self-awareness if practiced regularly. It gives a way for successful in every part of life.
Yoga has become so popular worldwide that United Nation General Assembly declared 21st June as International Day of Yoga since 2015. In fact, yoga has many benefits. It has a secret to living long, healthy, relaxed, stress-free, calm and active life without using any artificial means like medicines.
conclusion :
Nowadays, millions of people are benefiting from yoga practice all over the world, which has been preserved by the great masters of yoga from ancient times till today. Yoga practice is developing every day and it is becoming more and more alive.
Ref: *Doctor. Ishwar V Basavaraddimorarji is the director of the Desai National Institute of Yoga.
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