What is Yoga? Yoga is a lifestyle practices originated from the ancient India. It is a set of eight steps consists of ethical principles (Yamas and Niyamas), physical postures (Asanas), breath control (Pranayama), drawing within one’s awareness (Pratyāhāra), introspective focus and one-pointedness of mind (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), oneness (Samadhi), and philosophical teachings. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means to unite or join. The real meaning of Yoga is absolute freedom from all sorrows, absolutle freedom from all bondages. It is absolute blissfulness. [Read More]
Some Benefits
Yoga has its root in ancient traditions. It has gained widespread popularity and has been adapted and modified in various ways around the world. However the root principles of Yoga today still remain the same. Yoga has the ability to promote a blissful and fulfilling life. By incorporating physical postures, breath control, meditation, and ethical principles, yoga provides a range of advantages that enhance general well-being and promote happiness.
Yoga does involve physical exercise. However, it goes beyond being solely a physical exercise as it also requires concentration and incorporates conscious breathing. It is a holistic approach to harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit. Through regular practice, individuals aim to understand the blissfulness of life. Yoga offers numerous benefits, including improved physical fitness, increased relaxation, stress reduction, enhanced focus, better body awareness, increased mindfulness, and a sense of inner peace. People of all ages and fitness levels can practice Yoga.
What is “Yama”
In Yoga, “Yama” refers to the first limb of the eightfold path outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Yama represents the ethical principles and moral disciplines that practitioners are encouraged to cultivate in their lives. It involves a set of guidelines or restraints that govern one’s behavior and interactions with others. The five Yamas are:
- Ahimsa (non-violence): Practicing non-violence towards oneself and others, both physically and mentally.
- Satya (truthfulness): Being truthful and honest in thoughts, words, and actions.
- Asteya (non-stealing): Avoiding stealing or coveting others’ possessions, ideas, or opportunities.
- Brahmacharya (celibacy or moderation): Channeling and conserving one’s energy in a balanced and controlled manner, often associated with sexual restraint.
- Aparigraha (non-greed or non-possessiveness): Letting go of excessive desires and attachments to material possessions.
These ethical principles are considered fundamental for personal growth, harmonious relationships, and spiritual development in the practice of Yoga.
What is “Niyama”
Niyama is one of the eight limbs of yoga, as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Niyama refers to the ethical observances or personal disciplines that individuals should cultivate in their lives to promote self-discipline, self-improvement, and spiritual growth.
There are five niyamas, and they are as follows:
- Saucha (Cleanliness): Saucha involves the cleanliness and purity of one’s body, mind, and environment. It includes maintaining cleanliness in one’s physical surroundings, practicing personal hygiene, and cultivating mental clarity through practices like meditation.
- Santosha (Contentment): Santosha is about finding contentment and satisfaction in the present moment, accepting things as they are without constantly seeking external sources of happiness. It emphasizes gratitude, inner peace, and finding joy within oneself.
- Tapas (Discipline): Tapas refers to self-discipline and the cultivation of inner strength. It involves practices such as austerity, self-control, and perseverance. Through tapas, individuals develop the willpower and determination necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
- Svadhyaya (Self-study): Svadhyaya involves self-reflection, self-study, and the exploration of one’s inner self. It includes studying sacred texts, introspection, and observing one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. The aim is to gain self-awareness, deepen understanding, and promote personal growth.
- Ishvara pranidhana (Surrender to a higher power): Ishvara pranidhana is about surrendering to a higher power or divine presence. It involves recognizing that there is a greater force beyond oneself and acknowledging the interconnection of all beings. By surrendering to this higher power, individuals cultivate humility, trust, and a sense of purpose.
Practicing the niyamas helps individuals develop a strong foundation for their yogic journey by fostering self-discipline, self-awareness, and a harmonious relationship with oneself and the world around them.
What is “Asana”
In Yoga, “Asana” refers to the physical postures or poses that are practiced as part of a yoga session. It is one of the eight limbs of Yoga, as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. The term “asana” comes from the Sanskrit word meaning “seat” or “pose.” It encompasses a wide variety of body positions, ranging from seated poses to standing poses, balancing poses, twists, inversions, and more. Each asana is typically held for a certain duration while focusing on breath control, alignment, and awareness. Asanas are not solely focused on physical exercise, but they also aim to bring a state of balance and calmness to the practitioner’s body and mind. They promote strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration. Asanas benefits different parts of the body and can be used to address various physical and mental health concerns.
Through the practice of asanas, practitioners aim to cultivate a deeper connection with their bodies, improve physical health, increase body awareness, release tension, and prepare the body for meditation. Asanas are an essential component of yoga practice, and their regular practice can contribute to overall well-being and a sense of harmony.
What is “Pranayama”
In Yoga, “Pranayama” refers to the practice of breath control. It is a Sanskrit term composed of two words: “prana” meaning “life force” or “vital energy,” and “ayama” meaning “extension” or “expansion.” Pranayama involves various techniques and exercises aimed at manipulating and regulating the breath to optimize the flow of prana in the body.
Pranayama techniques typically involve conscious control of the inhalation, exhalation, and retention of breath in specific patterns. It may include slow, deep breathing, alternate nostril breathing, breath retention, and more. Each technique has its own purpose and benefits, ranging from relaxation and stress reduction to energizing and balancing the mind and body.
Pranayama practices not only have physical effects on the respiratory system but also impact the nervous system, energy channels (nadis), and the subtle energy centers (chakras) in the body. Regular practice of pranayama can enhance lung capacity, improve focus and concentration, balance emotions, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of calm and clarity.
What is “Pratyāhāra”
In Yoga, “Pratyahara” refers to the withdrawal or mastery of the senses. It is the fifth limb of the eightfold path of Yoga, as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
The term “Pratyahara” is derived from the Sanskrit words “prati,” meaning “against” or “away,” and “ahara,” meaning “food” or “input.” In this context, it can be understood as withdrawing the senses from their usual external stimuli or objects of perception. Pratyahara involves consciously detaching from the external sensory inputs and redirecting one’s awareness inward. It is a practice of turning the attention away from external distractions and focusing on the internal experiences and sensations.
By mastering Pratyahara, practitioners aim to develop greater control over the senses and reduce the influence of external stimuli on their state of mind. Pratyahara creates a foundation for further stages of meditation and concentration. It is a bridge between the external aspects of Yoga (such as asana and pranayama) and the internal practices of concentration and meditation. It helps the individuals to cultivate a state of inner stillness, focus, and introspection, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and the nature of the mind. Pratyahara is an advanced practice that requires discipline, patience, and regular meditation.
What is “Dharana”
In Yoga, “Dharana” refers to the practice of concentration or focused attention. It is the sixth limb of the eightfold path of Yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The term “Dharana” comes from the Sanskrit root “dhr,” which means “to hold” or “to concentrate.” Dharana involves directing and maintaining one’s attention on a single point or object, while excluding all other distractions and thoughts.
Dharana is the precursor to the deeper stages of meditation. Through the practice of concentration, individuals aim to develop a one-pointed focus and stability of mind. This focused attention allows for the dissolution of scattered thoughts and distractions, leading to a heightened state of awareness and deepening of inner experiences. During Dharana practice, the chosen object of concentration can vary, such as a physical object, a mantra, the breath, or an internal visualization. The practitioner strives to maintain unwavering attention on the chosen focal point, training the mind to remain present and undistracted.
By cultivating Dharana, practitioners can develop mental clarity, enhanced mindfulness, and improved capacity to direct their thoughts and energies. It is a vital step in the path of meditation, as it prepares the mind for the subsequent stages of deeper absorption and self-realization. Dharana requires patience, persistence, and regular practice.
What is “Dhyana”
In Yoga, “Dhyana” refers to the practice of meditation or contemplation. It is the seventh limb of the eightfold path of Yoga, as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The term “Dhyana” is derived from the Sanskrit root “dhyai,” which means “to contemplate” or “to meditate.” It signifies a state of deep, focused, and uninterrupted meditation where the practitioner experiences a sense of unity and absorption.
Dhyana involves sustaining a continuous flow of awareness towards the object of meditation or the chosen focus of attention. The practitioner cultivates a state of inner stillness and heightened awareness, allowing thoughts to arise and pass without getting caught up in them. During the practice of Dhyana, the mind becomes increasingly calm and steady, leading to a state of expanded consciousness. The practitioner becomes absorbed in the present moment, transcending the limitations of the ego and experiencing a sense of unity with the object of meditation or the underlying reality.
Dhyana is often preceded by the practice of Dharana (concentration) and serves as a natural progression from concentrated focus to effortless awareness. It is a state of deep mindfulness, where the boundaries between the meditator and the object of meditation begin to dissolve. Through the regular practice of Dhyana, individuals can experience a range of benefits, including increased self-awareness, inner peace, clarity of mind, stress reduction, and a deeper connection with oneself and the world. It is considered an essential practice for spiritual growth, self-realization, and the exploration of higher states of consciousness. Dhyana requires patience, perseverance, and consistent practice.
What is “Samadhi”
In Yoga, “Samadhi” refers to the state of ultimate spiritual realization and union with the divine. It is the eighth and final limb of the eightfold path of Yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
The term “Samadhi” is derived from the Sanskrit word “samādhi,” which means “putting together,” “integration,” or “absorption.” It signifies a state of profound meditative absorption where the practitioner transcends the limitations of the individual self and merges with the object of meditation or the higher reality. Samadhi is considered the highest state of consciousness achievable in the yogic journey. It is a state of complete stillness, bliss, and oneness, where the distinction between the meditator and the object of meditation dissolves. In this state, the practitioner experiences pure awareness devoid of ego, desires, and mental fluctuations.
There are different stages or levels of Samadhi described in various yogic traditions, ranging from initial glimpses to more advanced and sustained states of absorption. People describe the experience of Samadhi as directly realizing one’s true nature and the interconnectedness of all existence. Practitioners consider Samadhi as a state that extends beyond the practice of meditation and permeates all aspects of life, while often associating deep meditation with it. It is a state of living in a state of awakened awareness and unity with the divine. Attaining Samadhi is a rare and profound experience that requires a dedicated and disciplined spiritual practice.