Fundamentals of Yoga

Yoga is a gradual process that works on the level of one's body, mind,   emotion, and energy, and which the one’s conscious self-encompassing thoughts, ideas, and emotions are replaced by an understanding of the higher consciousness and can lead us on the path of true self-realization. Yoga has given rise to four broad classifications: Karma Yoga where we utilize the body; Jnāna Yoga where we utilise the mind; Bhakti Yoga where we utilize the emotion and Kriya Yoga where we utilise the energy. Each system of Yoga we practice falls within the gamut of one or more of these categories. Every individual is a unique combination of these four factors. Only a guru can advocate the appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths as is necessary for each seeker. "All ancient commentaries on Yoga have stressed that it is essential to work under the direction of a guru."

The different philosophies, traditions, lineages, and guru-shishya paramparas of Yoga led to the emergence of different traditional gurukuls. These include Jnāna Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Pātanjala Yoga, Kunḍ ạ lini Yoga, Haṭha Yoga, Dhyāna Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Rāja Yoga, Jain Yoga, Bouddha Yoga etc. Each Gurukul has its own approach and practices that lead to the ultimate aim and objectives of Yoga.

The different types of mental and physical dispositions of different individuals the early practitioners of yoga classified this ancient branch of learning into the following broad categories.

·         Jnāna Yoga: This form of yoga is all about the liberation of the mind and attainment of wisdom through yogic practice.

·         Bhakti Yoga: In Bhakti Yoga one can achieve the state of spiritual enlightenment or liberation through the realization of oneness with GOD.

 ये तु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मयि संन्न्यस्य मत्पर: |

अनन्येनैव योगेन मां ध्यायन्त उपासते ॥6॥

  

 ye tu sarvāṇi karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ

ananyenaiva yogena māṁ dhyāyanta upāsate

 (As for those who, having dedicated all actions to Me and accepted Me as the supreme,meditate by thinking of Me with single-minded concentration only-.)

·         Karma Yoga : Karma yoga teaches the philosophies of selfless action through which liberation can be achieved.

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन |

कर्मेन्द्रियै: कर्मयोगमसक्त: स विशिष्यते ॥7॥

                                  

 yas tvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate ’rjuna 

karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam asaktaḥ sa viśhiṣhyate

(But, O Arjuna, one who engages in Karma-yoga with the organs of action, controlling the organs with the mind and becoming unattached-that one excels.)

·         Hatha Yoga: The form most often associated with yoga, it combines a series of basic movements with breathing.

·         Rāja Yoga: This is traditionally regarded as Classical Yoga and aims to teach the yogi the principles of gaining control over the mind and emotions.

·         Tantra Yoga: Tantra Yoga is a form of yoga where two people in conjugation try to attain a common or universal consciousness by practicing certain yogic principles and asanas. Tantra yoga has nothing to do with sex or man–woman relationships.

·         Mantra Yoga: Mantra Yoga aims to attain liberation through continuous chanting of powerful words (Mantra) which creates a certain aura of empowerment around the reciter.

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A brief history of Yoga

The science of Yoga has its origin thousands of years ago, long before the first religion or belief systems were born. According to Yogic lore, Shiva has seen as the first yogi or ādiyogi and the first guru or ādiguru.

Several thousand years ago, on the banks of Lake Kantisarovar in the Himalayas, ādiyogi poured his profound knowledge into the legendary saptarishis or "seven sages". These sages carried this powerful Yogic science to different parts of the world including Asia, the Middle East, northern Africa, and South America. Interestingly, modern scholars have noted and marveled at the close parallels found between ancient cultures across the globe. However, it was in India that the Yogic system found its fullest expression.  Agastya Muni , one of the saptarishi who traveled across the Indian subcontinent, crafted this culture around a core Yogic way of life.

Yoga is widely considered an "immortal cultural outcome" of the Indus Saraswati Valley Civilisation – dating back to 2700 BC – and has proven itself to cater to both material and spiritual uplift of humanity. Several seals and fossil remains of Indus Saraswati Valley Civilisation with Yogic motifs and figures performing Yoga sādhana suggest the presence of Yoga in ancient India. The seals and idols of the Mother Goddess are suggestive of Tantra Yoga. The presence of Yoga is also available in folk traditions, Vedic and Upanishadic heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darshanas, epics of Mahabharata including Bhagawadgita and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas, Vaishnavas and Tantric traditions. Though Yoga was being practiced in the pre-Vedic period, the great sage Maharishi Patanjali systematized and codified the then-existing Yogic practices, their meaning, and their related knowledge through Patanjali's Yoga  Sutras.

After Maharishi Patanjali, many sages and Yoga masters contributed greatly to the preservation and development of the field through well-documented practices and literature. Yoga has spread all over the world by the teachings of eminent Yoga Gurus from ancient times to the present date. Today, everybody has conviction about Yoga practices towards the prevention of disease, maintenance, and promotion of health. Millions of people across the globe have benefitted by the practice of Yoga and the practice of Yoga is blossoming and growing more vibrant with each passing day.

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What is Yoga ?

Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science that focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body.

It is an art and science to live a healthy life. The word "Yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning "to join", "to yoke" or "to unite". According to Yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. According to modern scientists, everything in the universe is just a manifestation of the same quantum firmament. One who experiences this oneness of existence is said to be "in Yoga" and is termed as a yogi who has attained a state of freedom, referred to as mukti, nirvāna, kaivalya or moksha. "Yoga" also refers to an inner science comprising a variety of methods through which human beings can achieve a union between the body and mind to attain self-realization. The aim of Yoga practice (sādhana) is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom in every walk of life with holistic health, happiness, and harmony.                                                                                                                                                                                                               cont.d....