Yoga

WHAT REALLY IS YOGA?

'YOGA'

The word 'Yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Yuj', meaning 'to join' or 'to yoke' or 'to unite'. As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the Mind and Body, Body & Nature.

It has been defined: "The methods and technologies of how to experience that which is beyond the physical is what is known as the science of Yoga."

The TRUTH IS “You are not your body, you are not your mind, you are not your job, your car or your house. You are presence.” ~ Babaji

What is Yoga?

In terms of physical practice, "Yoga" is a discipline involving conscious breathing and body movement. The physical benefits can be affirmed by over 300 million people around the world who are actively engaged in one form of the physical exercises or another.

This tradition is at least 15,000 years old. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but discovery. It is not about strength but sensitivity. It is not about competition but cooperation. It is not about self-assertion but self-restraint. It is not about violence but peace.

Yoga can open up a new horizon of peace and harmony with Yoga.

As we mentioned above the word “Yoga” literally means “union,” and refers to an inner state where one experiences everything as a part of oneself. Often mistaken for a system of physical exercise, the Yogic system is actually a set of tools for self-transformation that are designed to bring one to this state of union.

Is Yoga only for ascetic monks?

Is Yoga only for ascetic monks? No, Yoga is not just for monks and can be practiced by people of all walks of life. However, there are separate kinds of Yogic practices that are suitable only for monks and should not be practiced by people who are not initiated into the ascetic path.

What are the different types of Yoga?

There are 4 fundamental types of Yoga - Karma Yoga, Gnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Kriya Yoga. This is because a human being is a combination of these four aspects - Body, Mind, Emotion, and Energy. Whatever kind of spiritual path one walks falls into one or more of these four categories.

What is Gnana Yoga?

Gnana Yoga is the path of intelligence. Sadhguru describes it as a process of sharpening one’s intelligence to a point where it penetrates through the process of life and shows you what is true and what is not true.

What is Karma Yoga?

Karma Yoga is the path of selfless action. It is the path of service, where one uses physical action to evolve spiritually.

What is Bhakti Yoga?

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion, where one uses their emotions to try to reach the ultimate. Sadhguru describes this path as the fastest and sweetest way to grow.

What is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya Yoga is the path of using one’s inner energies to reach the ultimate. Following the path of pure Kriya Yoga is a very demanding but powerful way to walk the spiritual path.

So what is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini Yoga is a set of practices that allow one to tap into the huge volume of energy within a person that is yet to find its potential. Most teachers warn that one must be stable and exercise extreme caution before activating the Kundalini although regular Yoga activates the Kundalini in some way.

What Is Tantra?

“The word ‘Tantra’ literally means a technique or a technology, an inner technology or action. These are subjective methods not objective methods. But in the current understanding in society, the word "Tantra" refers to very unorthodox or socially unacceptable methods. It is just that certain aspects are used in a certain way. It is not any different from Yoga.

There is a limb of Yoga called 'Tantra Yoga' though it is not some sexual free for all that many seem to think. It is much more about controlling and focusing ones inner energies for exterior constructive uses.

What Is Classical Yoga?

Classic Yoga is said to have been transmitted in its purest form by the "Adiyogi" - The Source of Yoga. SHIVA is the Adiyogi. Yoga in its purest form can be read about in "The Shiva Sutra's."

When Was Yoga Invented?

Over 15,000 years ago Shiva transmitted the science of Yoga to his seven disciples, the Saptarishis. Yoga predates all religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, etc This was way before even the ancient scriptures such as Vedas and Upanishads were written. In fact not even the Sanskrit language had been written yet. So where does Yoga come from?

Yoga's offerings are tools for individual transformation, as individual transformation is the only way to transform the world ! The fundamental message is that “in is the only way out” for human wellbeing and liberation. Because he was the source of Yoga, Adiyogi is also called Adiguru or the first Guru.

'LORD SHIVA' as 'ADI YOGI'- 'GURU DATTATREYA'

Who is a Yogi?

A Yogi is someone (MAN OR WOMAN) who is established in a state of union and experiences the entire cosmos within themselves. When someone breaches the boundaries of the physical and transcends its compulsive and cyclical nature, they become a Yogi. This is why the Yogic Sages define spirituality as transcending the limitations of the physical and experiencing this boundlessness.

How is Zen connected to Yoga?

“The word ‘Zen’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhyan.’ Gautama the Buddha taught Dhyan. Bodhidharma carried Dhyan to China, where it became Chan. This Chan went further down into Far East Asian countries, where it became Zen.

Zen is one form of spiritual path which has no scriptures, books, rules, or particular practices – nothing. It is an uncharted path. It is not very different from what Yoga is. What we call Yoga, they call Zen. In Yoga, we present the same thing as a science while in Zen it is handled as an art form.”

What is OM ?

Om serves as a sonic representation of the divine. The above shape is a symbol representing a sacred sound, syllable, mantra, and an invocation.

The easiest way to explain this is that OM stands for that which is PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE. It symbolizes life with all its shapes and sounds.

OM symbolizes time and that which is beyond time!

What is a Yoga posture or Asana?

A Yoga ASANA is a certain posture that can take one to a higher dimension or higher perception of life.

Contrary to popular belief, Yoga postures or asanas are not just about stretching and bending the body. They are very subtle processes of manipulating your energy in a certain direction. It needs to be done with a certain level of awareness.

There are various levels of doing asanas. You can practice asanas just physically, or more deeply, being aware of the breath, sensations, reverberations, being aware of inner body channels the ancient yogi's called 'nadis' and using the appropriate mantras. You can even do asanas without moving a limb.

Can Yoga Asana's help reduce stress?

Yoga has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. The main reason for this is that Yoga brings about a transformation in the way you perceive yourself and the world around you.

Is Yoga Asana suitable for beginners?

Yoga is suitable for everyone regardless of their age, gender, or physical fitness. The Yogic system contains methods suitable for every kind of person.

What do you need for Yoga Asana?

To begin the practice of physical Yoga or meditation you do not need anything other than your body. You don’t even need a Yoga studio to get started!

However, here are a few aspects that can help kickstart your Yoga journey, such as:

- A YOGA MAT

- YOGA CLOTHES

-THE RIGHT YOGA TEACHER

- A COMMITMENT TO GIVE IT A TRY... 300,000,000 people cant be wrong !!!

YOGA BRINGS JOY, PEACE, SELF LOVE, A HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS.

TRY YOGA !