​Yogasana

 

What is Yoga?

     The word Yoga is derieved from the Dhatu (root) 'Yuj' meaning 'to unite'. As said in the scriptures , 'Jeevatma, Paramatma Eikma Avasya yogaha'  which translates to 'That which unites the Soul (Jeevatma) with God (Paramatma) is Yoga' (Shandilya Upanishad).

 

 

​The history of yoga dates several thousand years back, to the Vedic Era.It is said that the origin of Yougashastra is Brahma.But in Mahabharata it is quoted that Yoga was founded by Sage Sanat Kumar.However it is the Sage Pathanjali who renewed the yoga sutras in  around 3rd century  B.C.

There are different versions of definitions for yoga.However neither of them can fully describe the greatness of Yoga. 

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In the sacred Bhagavadgeetha  it is said that 'Yogaha Karmasu Koushalam' and 'Samathvam Bhoga Uchmatha'.In the Sixth Chapter (Shashta Adhyaya) there is yet another definition of yoga which says 'Getting released from pain and sadness is yoga'

Sage Pathanjali himself defined Yoga as "Yogaha Chithavritthi Nirodhaha", ie:achieveing  concentration by controlling all the desires.
Swami Vivekananda put it as "Disciplining the mind is Yoga"
Achieving what can't be achieved is 'Yoga' and saving what one gets from achieving is 'Kshema'.
There are 4 types of yoga:

• Jnana Yoga

• Bhakti Yoga

• Karma Yoga

• Raja Yoga

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According to Sage Pathanjali there are 8 steps in yoga

1. Yama 

2. Niyama 

3. Asana

4. Pranayama 

5. Pratyahara 

6. Dharana 

7. Dhyana 

8. Samadhi

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The following quotes are mention-worthy and have been given below.

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"The union of all the powers of the body,mind and soul with the God is yoga"                                                                                                                -  Mahatma Gandhi.

"Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity.  This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self-realization. Yoga means union - the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul.Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions."                                                                       -  B.K.S. Iyengar, Astadala Yogamala
 

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"Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind."                                                                                                                                     -Pathanjali,Translated from Sanskrit
 

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Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.                                                           -B.K.S Iyengar

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