What is Yoga?
Yoga is best known as a type of exercise system that stretches and strengthens the body through various poses known as asanas. Yoga is mainly looked upon as a set of techniques useful for achieving fitness in daily life and prevention and cure of some specific diseases or disorders. But the goal of yoga was different when yoga practices came into existence more than three thousand years ago. Throughout its history, yoga seems to have undergone changes regarding the purpose for which it was practiced. Many different varieties of yoga are being practiced for different purposes.
The concepts and practices of Yoga originated in India about several thousand years ago. Its founders were great Saints and Sages. The great Yogis presented rational interpretation of their experiences of Yoga and brought about a practical and scientifically sound method within every one's reach. Yoga today, is no longer restricted to hermits, saints, and sages; it has entered into our everyday lives and has aroused a worldwide awakening and acceptance in the last few decades. The science of Yoga and its techniques have now been reoriented to suit modern sociological needs and lifestyles. Experts of various branches of medicine including modern medical sciences are realising the role of these techniques in the prevention and mitigation of diseases and promotion of health.
Yoga is one of the six systems of Vedic philosophy. Maharishi Patanjali, rightly called “The Father of Yoga” compiled and refined various aspects of Yoga systematically in his “Yoga Sutras” (aphorisms). He advocated the eight folds path of Yoga, popularly known as “Ashtanga Yoga” for all-round development of human beings. They are:- Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. These components advocate certain restraints and observances, physical discipline, breath regulations, restraining the sense organs, contemplation, meditation and samadhi. These steps are believed to have a potential for improvement of physical health by enhancing circulation of oxygenated blood in the body, retraining the sense organs thereby inducing tranquility and serenity of mind. The practice of Yoga prevents psychosomatic disorders and improves an individual's resistance and ability to endure stressful situations.
Definition of Yoga
Yoga is a discipline to improve or develop one's inherent power in a balanced manner. It offers the means to attain complete self-realisation. The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Yoga is 'Yoke'. Yoga can therefore be defined as a means of uniting the individual spirit with the universal spirit of God. According to Maharishi Patanjali, Yoga is the suppression of modifications of the mind.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF YOGIC SCIENCE
-
Yogic practices are not 'exercise' as understood. The word exercise is generally applied to vigorous physical movements. Since, Yogic practices do not involve vigorous movements, any kind of violent action should be avoided during Yoga practice.
-
The nature of Yogic practices is varied and involves different mechanisms through which the results of particular Yogic practices are obtained.
-
Asana, one of the most important and best known Yogic practices is static stretching procedures. They should be performed slowly and smoothly to influence the tonic system rather than the physical one.
-
The position in a particular Asana should be comfortably maintained for some time with least effort. Effortless performance and relaxing as much as possible during the final position are the chief characteristics of the techniques of Asanas.
-
Pranayamic practices are very different in purpose and technique from the “breathing exercises”. They are supposed to increase oxygen uptake. However, they are considered of little value in the literature of physical education.
-
Yogic practices should not lead to undue fatigue. If there is fatigue, it should be overcome by the practice of relaxation in Shavasana.
-
All Yogic practices should be performed according to one's own capacity and without competition with others.