What is Yoga?

“Yogaschitta vritti nirodhah”

Yoga Sutras 1.2

“To block the pattern of consciousness is yoga”

Yoga means union. Yoga is a way of life, an integrated system of education for the body, mind and soul. This art of living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago. But since yoga deals with universal truth its teachings are valid today as they were in ancient times. Yoga is a science, not a religion, and its techniques may be practiced by all. Yoga is the union of all.

The 4 different paths of Yoga

1. Karma Yoga – the path of selfless service.

“ Thy right is to work only, but never with its fruits; let the fruits of action be not thy motive, nor let thy attachment be to inaction ."

Bhagavad Gita 2.47

1. Bhakti Yoga - the path of devotion.

“Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water – that, so offered devotedly by the pure-minded, I accept.”

Bhagavad Gita 9.26

1. Jnana Yoga - the path of knowledge.

“But he who knows the Truth, O mighty armed (Arjuna) about the division of the qualities and (their) functions, knowing that the Gunas as senses move amidst the Gunas as the sense-objects is not attached.”

Bhagavad Gita 3.28

1. Raja Yoga - the path of controlling the mind.

“Little by little let him attain to quietude by the intellect held firmly; having made the mind establish itself in the Self let him not think of anything.”

Bhagavad Gita 6.25

Who can do Yoga?

Yoga may be practiced by everyone regardless of age, sex or physical abilities.

Asanas

“ Prior to everything, asana is spoken of as the first part of Hatha Yoga. Having done asanas one attains steadiness of the body and mind, freedom form disease and lightness of the limbs . ”

Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.17

There are many types of physical exercises but the yogic system of asanas is the most complete, benefiting far more then just the physical body. The asanas emphasize deep breathing, relaxed movements and mental concentration.

In yoga, the physical postures are called asanas. They are non–violent movements and provide gentle stretching that acts to lubricate the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and other parts of the body.

Asanas help to tone the nervous system improve circulation, release tension and increase flexibility. When performed in a slow and relaxed manner, they are designed not only to enhance the physical body. They also broaden the mental faculties and enhance the spiritual capabilities.

Asanas are designed to promote a state of physical, mental and spiritual well–being. This may be defined as the condition that is experienced when all the organs function efficiently under the conscious control of the mind.

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Surya Namaskara

“Like a lid to a vessel, O Sun, your

Golden orb covers the entrance to Truth.

Kindly open the entrance, to lead me to Truth.”

Isa. Up. 15

All sessions of yoga asanas begin with Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation.

This excellent warming up exercise consists of a sequence of 12 positions that move the spine in various ways and promote flexibility of the limbs. It improves concentration of the mind. It is also very beneficial to beginners, stiff people and elderly as it helps the body to regain flexibility.

Pranayama

“Thus being established i asana and having control (of the body), taking a balance diet, pranayama should be practiced to the instruction of the guru.”

Hatha Yoga Pradipika 2.1

Deep breathing helps to clean and nourish the physical body. Most people do not breathe correctly as each breath tends to be shallow and short. A full inhalation brings an abundant supply of oxygen which is essential to every cell in the body. As you exhale carbon dioxide and other waste products are expelled from the body.

Pranayama means “ control of Prana ”. Prana is “ energy or vital force ” and yama is “control of that energy”.

Proper Relaxation

When the body and mind are continually over-worked and stressed, their natural efficiency diminishes. Rest and relaxation are Nature's way of giving the body a way of recharging.

Meditation

“Tatra pratyayaikatanata dhyanam”

Yoga Sutras 3.2

“Uninterrupted stream of content of consciousness is dhyana (meditation)”

Just as any vehicle requires an intelligent driver so the body needs a balanced mind that can be in control. Regular meditation will help you to achieve this. Your mind will become clearer and more focused and your ability to concentrate will also improve.

Kriyas-Cleansing Technique

“Dhauti, basti, net, trataka, nauli and kapalbhati; these are known as shatkarma (or six cleansing processes).”

Hatha Yoga Pradipika 2.22

Purity of body encourages purity of the mind. Yoga has developed six cleansing techniques or "Shed Kriyas" for purification of the physical body. Through these simple exercises, nature is assisted in the elimination of waste products and mucus. Many mental and physical ailments may be alleviated through the practice of kryas.

Asthang Yoga ( Raja Yoga)

Ashtanga yoga (Y.S 2.28-55) is the eight-fold spiritual path to obtain the control of the mind, the state of samadhi and eventually liberation. The eight angas (literally limbs) are the steps or stages of the spiritual path. We will study the five external limbs (bahir-anga). And the last three limbs are explained in chapter III. They are the inner limbs (antar-anga)

1. Yama (moral restrictions): non violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non stealing (asteya), sexual control (brahmacarya) and aparigraha (austerity) (30-31); benefits of the practice of yamas (35-39)

2. Niyama (personal disciplines): purity (saucha), contentment (santosha), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya) and devotion to the Lord (Ishvara pranidhana) (32); benefits of the practice of yamas (40-45)

while practicing yamas and niyamas negative thoughts or habits may appear: the method to control them is by practicing the opposite virtues (pratipakshabhavana) (33-34)

3. Asana-steady pose: "posture must be steady and comfortable" (sthiram sukham asanam) (46-48)

For spiritual practice, as for any other pursuit in life, a healthy and strong system is also essential. Steady mind presupposes steady body

4. Pranayama: breath control (49-53)

5. Pratyahara: sense withdrawal (54-55)

The last three limbs are explained in chapter III. They are the inner limbs (antar-anga)

6. Dharana: concentration of the mind on a single object

7. Dhyana: meditation is steady and uninterrupted concentration

8. Samadhi: complete absorption in the object of meditation; at this point the mental opperations stop, one achieves supernatural powers (siddhis) which must be overcome by the yogi in order to achieve the knowledge of his true Self: liberation (kaivalya).

Song of the Soul

I am neither ego nor reason, I am neither mind nor thought,
I cannot be heard nor cast into words, nor by smell nor sight ever caught:
In light and wind I am not found, nor yet in earth and sky-
Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I.

I have no name, I have no life, I breathe no vital air,
No elements have moulded me, no bodily sheath is my lair:
I have no speech, no hands and feet, nor means of evolution-
Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss in dissolution.

I cast aside hatred and passion, I conquered delusion and greed;
No touch of pride caressed me, so envy never did breed:
Beyond all faiths, past reach of wealth, past freedom, past desire,
Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is my attire.

Virtue and vice, or pleasure and pain are not my heritage
Nor sacred texts, nor offerings, nor prayer, nor pilgrimage:
I am neither food, nor eating, nor yet the eater am I-
Consciousness and joy incarnate, Bliss of the Blissful am I.

I have mo misgiving of death, no chasms of race divide me,
No parent ever called me child, no bond of birth ever tide me:
I am neither disciple nor master, I have no kin, no friend-
Consciousness and joy am I, and merging in Bliss is my end.

Neither knowable, knowledge, nor knower am I, formless is my form,
I dwell within the senses but they are not my home:
Ever serenely balanced, I am neither free nor bound-
Consciousness and joy am I, and Bliss is where I am found.

-  Adi Shankaracharya