Here we would like to give you some Famous author's Views on Yoga.
The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to bind, join,
attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and
apply. It also means union or communion. It is the true union of our will with
the will of God. 'It thus means,' says Mahadev Desai in his introduction to the
Gita according to Gandhi, 'the yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul
to God; it means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions, the
will, which that Yoga presupposes; it means a poise of the soul which enables
one to look at life in all its aspects evenly.'
Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It was collated,
co-ordinated and systematised by Patanjali in his classical work, the Yoga
Sutras, which consists of 185 terse aphorisms. In Indian thought, everything is
permeated by the Supreme Universal Spirit (Paramatma or God) of which the
individual human spirit (jivatma) is a part. The system of yoga is so called
because it teaches the means by which the jivatma can be united to, or be in
communion with the Paramatma, and so secure liberation (moksa).
One who follows the path of Yoga is a yogi or yogin.
In the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, which is the most important
authority on Yoga philosophy, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of
Yoga as a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow. It is said:
'When his mind, intellect and self (ahamkara) are under control, freed from
restless desire, so that they rest in the spirit within, a man becomes a Yukta
-- one in communion with God. A lamp does not flicker in a place where no winds
blow; so it is with a yogi, who controls his mind, intellect and self, being
absorbed in the spirit within him. When the restlessness of the mind, intellect
and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of the
Spirit within himself finds fulfilment. Then he knows the joy eternal which is
beyond the pale of the senses which his reason cannot grasp. He abides in this
reality and moves not therefrom. He has found the treasure above all others.
There is nothing higher than this. He who has achieved it, shall not be moved
by the greatest sorrow. This is the real meaning of Yoga -- a deliverance from
contact with pain and sorrow.'
As a well cut diamond has many facets, each reflecting a different colour of
light, so does the word yoga, each facet reflecting a diferent shade of meaning
and revealing different aspects of the entire range of human endeavour to win
inner peace and happiness.
The
Bhagavad Gita also gives other explanations of the term yoga and lays stress
upon Karma Yoga (Yoga by action). It is said: 'Work alone is your privilege,
never the fruits thereof. Never let the fruits of action be your motive; and
never cease to work. Work in the name of the Lord, abandoning selfish desires.
Be not affected by success or failure. This equipoise is called Yoga.'
Yoga has also been described as wisdom in work or skilful living amongst
activities, harmony and moderation. 'Yoga is not for him who gorges too much,
nor for him who starves himself. It is not for him who sleeps too much, nor for
him who stays awake. By moderation in eating and in resting, by regulation in
working and by concordance in sleeping and waking, Yoga destroys all pain and
sorrow.'
The Kathopanishad describes Yoga thus: 'When the senses are stilled, when the
mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not-then, say the wise, is reached
the highest stage. This steady control of the senses and mind has been defined
as Yoga. He who attains it is free from delusion.'
In the second aphorism of the first chapter of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali
describes Yoga as 'chitta vrtti nirodhah'. This may be translated as the
restraint (nirodhah) of mental (chitta) modifications (vrtti) or as suppression
(nirodhah) of the fluctuations (vrtti) of consciousness (chitta). The word
chitta denotes the mind in its total or collective sense as being composed of
three categories: (a) mind (manas, that is, the individual mind having the
power and faculty of attention, selection and rejection; it is the oscillating
indecisive faculty of the mind); (b) intelligence or reason (buddhi, that is,
the decisive state which determines the distinction between things) and (c) ego
(ahamkara, literally the I-maker, the state which ascertains that 'I know').
The word vrtti is derived from the Sanskrit root vrt meaning to turn, to
revolve, to roll on. It thus means course of action, behaviour, mode of being,
condition or mental state. Yoga is the method by which the restless mind is
calmed and the energy directed into constructive channels. As a mighty river
which when properly harnessed by dams and canals, creates a vast reservoir of
water, prevents famine and provides abundant power for industry; so also the
mind, when controlled, provides a reservoir of peace and generates abundant
energy for human uplift.
The problem of controlling the mind is not capable of easy solution, as borne
out by the following dialogue in the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna
asks Sri Krishna:
'Krishna, you have told me of Yoga as a communion with Brahman (the Universal
Spirit), which is ever one. But how can this be permanent, since the mind is so
restless and inconsistent? The mind is impetuous and stubborn, strong and
wilful, as difficult to harness as the wind.' Sri Krishna replies:
'Undoubtedly, the mind is restless and hard to control. But it can be trained
by constant practice (abhyasa) and by freedom from desire (vairagya). A man who
cannot control his mind will find it difficult to attain this divine communion;
but the self-controlled man can attain it if he tries hard and directs his
energy by the right means.'
Yoga is a developing discipline that dates back to India some 5,000 years ago.
Yoga, by definition, is a unitive discipline, or training, that focuses on the
current of spirituality.
Yoga improves cardiovascular health, tones muscles, increases flexibility and
invokes calmness. Yoga is a meditative discipline that reduces anxiety while
sharpening the mind.
There are 40 types of yoga used today. Hatha yoga, one of the oldest and most
popular styles of yoga, dates back to ancient times and is the discipline of
force. It emphasizes techniques of breathing incorporating various poses. Hatha
yoga is ideal for individuals who experience stress or fatigue and need
relaxation.
Popular styles of Hatha yoga include Amanda (mediation yoga), Ashtanga (motion
yoga), Birkham's Yoga College of India (heat yoga), Integral (prelude to
meditation yoga), Kundalini (breath of fire yoga), Kripalu (made to measure
yoga) and Iyengar (precision yoga).
Even though there are so many yoga styles, choosing the one that best fits your
needs is not as difficult as it may seem. Determining which style is right for
you is merely a matter of evaluating your goals and current fitness level.
If you have never tried yoga, make sure you take it slowly. Yoga is about
progression. Before you know it, you will see real results and reach the goals
you've set.
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