What is yoga?
Yoga is a set of spiritual, physical and mental practices that originated in ancient India. Yoga literally means to add. Yoga combines physical exercise, body postures (asanas), meditation, breathing techniques and exercise.
The very meaning of this word is ‘yoga’ or the union of the physical with the spiritual within oneself. It also symbolizes the union of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between mind and body, human and nature. The practice of yoga is also mentioned in the Rigveda and Upanishads.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra (2nd century BCE), is an authoritative treatise on yoga and is considered a foundational text of classical yoga philosophy.
During modern times, and especially in the West, yoga is being adopted extensively as a form of physical exercise as well as meditation and postures. However, the purpose of yoga goes beyond a healthy mind and body.
Yoga is one of the six darshanas (six philosophies) of Hindu philosophy. These 6 philosophies are known as Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta. Patanjali, Gautam, Kanad, Kapil, Jaimini and Badarayan are considered to be the pioneers of these philosophies. The initial indications of these philosophies are also found in the Upanishads.
For more information about Sankhya philosophy, read the linked article.
Origin of Yoga
There is no consensus on the exact time period of the origin of yoga. Some researchers believe that it originated during the Indus Valley Civilization period, while others say that yoga originated from the pre-Vedic era in eastern India. Some experts believe that it originated in the Vedic era. Still others point to Shramana traditions. The Pashupati seal recovered from Mohenjodaro shows a figure seated in Mulabandhasana (yoga sitting posture), and so some researchers cite this as evidence of yoga’s Indus Valley origin. Yoga has been systematically explained in early Buddhist texts, Madhya Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita etc. In the modern era, gurus like Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi etc. contributed to the development and popularization of yoga all over the world. The word Yoga is first used in a verse of Rigveda for the Sun God rising in the morning. However, the Rig Veda does not mention what the yogic practices were. One of the earliest references to the practice of yoga can be found in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, one of the first Upanishads. However, the word Yoga is found in the Katha Upanishad with a similar meaning in contemporary times.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra
The Yoga Sutras are a collection of about 195 sutras or aphorisms written in Sanskrit. It was composed by the sage Patanjali, drawing on previous works on yoga and older traditions. Its composition is believed to be between 500 BC and 400 AD. In this treatise, Patanjali describes yoga as having eight limbs (ashtanga). They are Yama (restraint), Niyama (observance), Asana (yoga postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption). During the medieval period, it was translated into about 40 Indian languages and also into Arabic and Old Javanese. The Yoga Sutras were almost forgotten in modern times until Swami Vivekananda revived it and took it to the West.
Role of Swami Vivekananda in popularizing yoga
In the last 100 years, Yoga has received a unique identity at the global level. And full credit for this is given to Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda’s Raj Yoga is considered an important step in popularizing yoga in western countries. Along with Swami Vivekananda, Yogananda, Sri Aurobindo etc. also played an important role in popularizing Yoga on foreign soil.
Swami Vivekananda, besides being a brilliant orator, also had a deep understanding of spirituality. He made significant efforts to facilitate cultural and spiritual exchange between East and West.
Patanjali Swami was one of the first Indian masters to commentate and translate the Yoga Sutras. Expressing the vastness of Yoga, Swami Vivekananda wrote in the preface to the book Rajayoga, “The single goal of all orthodox systems of Indian philosophy is the liberation of the soul through perfection by the method of Yoga.”
Therefore, the deep impact of Vivekananda’s Yoga propagation is visible even today in the Western tradition. He worked to attract people to Yoga as well as to generate serious interest among Westerners to learn the Patanjali Yoga Sutras.
patanjali yoga sutra
Patanjali Yoga Sutra is considered to be the basic text of Yoga philosophy. Yoga Sutras were composed by Patanjali thousands of years ago. In Patanjali Yoga Sutra there is a law to concentrate the mind and immerse it in God. According to Patanjali, yoga is to stop the mind from becoming restless (Chittavrittinirodha). This means not letting the mind wander here and there, keeping it fixed on only one thing.
The most translated ancient Indian text in the medieval period was Yoga Sutra. According to the information, Yoga Sutra was translated into about 40 Indian and foreign languages (these also include ancient Java and Arabic). Patanjali Yoga Sutra had completely disappeared from the 12th to the 19th century, but due to Vivekananda and some other great men, this book came into vogue again in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.
Types of Yoga (Yoga Poses)
Yoga helps in increasing physical and mental consciousness. Modern yoga is a method that has developed with a focus on exercise, strength, flexibility and breathing. There are many styles of modern yogi (Yoga Poses). Detailed information about different types and styles of yoga is given below –
Ashtanga Yoga – This yoga style became most popular during the last few decades. In this type of yoga, the ancient teachings of yoga are used. Ashtanga yoga combines the practice of rapid breathing. There is coordination of mainly 6 postures.
Bikram Yoga – Bikram Yoga is mainly performed in an artificially heated room. Where the temperature is around 105 degrees (105° Fahrenheit) and 40 percent humidity. It is also known as Hot Yoga. There are a total of 26 poses in this yoga and a sequence of two breathing exercises.
Hatha Yoga – This is a general term for any yoga through which physical postures are learned. Hatha yoga serves as an introduction to the basic yoga postures.
Iyengar Yoga – In this type of yoga, all the postures are done using various props like blanket, pillow, chair and round long pillows etc.
Jivamukti Yoga – Jivamukti means “liberation while alive.” This form of yoga emerged around the year 1984. Later it was incorporated into spiritual teachings and yoga practices. In Jivamukti Yoga, the focus is on increasing the movement between two postures rather than focusing on any one posture. This meditation (focus) is called Vinyasa. Each class has a theme, which is explored through yoga scriptures, chanting, meditation, asana, pranayama and music. Physically intense activities are done in Jivamukti Yoga.
What is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha yoga emerged during the Middle Ages (500 – 1500 CE). Many sub-traditions of yoga also emerged during this period. Hatha means force and what is practiced in modern times is essentially this form of yoga with a focus on physical exercise, asanas and breathing exercises. Hatha Yoga is the very beginning process of Yoga, so that the body is able to maintain high levels of energy. The oldest text describing Hatha Yoga is Amritsiddhi (11th century CE).
Yoga as soft power
In the year 2014, the United Nations General Assembly had announced to celebrate June 21 every year as ‘International Yoga Day’. It was initiated by India and is seen as an extension of India’s soft power. After this initiative of India, Yoga started getting encouragement in every part of the world. Besides, other soft power aspects of India like Indian cinema, Ayurveda, Vedanta, classical arts, Indian handicrafts and cuisine etc. were also added to it.
India’s campaign to spread Yoga has been successful to a great extent, which is reflected in the fact that India’s Yoga Day proposal has received the support of more than 170 countries of the world.
The Government of India is trying to use the popularity of yoga and its benefits to present India’s contribution to the world in the fields of health and wellness and spirituality.
Yoga Day can also be a big tourist promotion festival for our country, especially for those who live abroad and want to come here to learn and practice yoga in their country.
