What is yoga?

When the word Yoga is mentioned outside India it is often associated to a concept reduced uniquely to the practice of asanas or postures. Yoga is much more than merely contorting the body, it is a tool for self-transformation based on ancient knowledge handed down through countless generations.

Though Yoga comes from Indian teachings and has greatly influenced Indian philosophy and beliefs it does not belong uniquely to Hinduism or any other belief system. Yoga belongs to the entire humanity and its essence is the quest for greater self-knowledge.

Yoga can be translated from Sanskrit to mean Union - union between the body and the mind, union between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, union with the divine that dwells within every living being. In the purest sense of the word Yoga is not something you can do - it is only something that can be experienced.

Patanjali, who compiled the teachings into written form in a series of sutras or aphorisms, starts his text by defining yoga as the "stilling of the mind waves" (Yogas chitta vritti nirodhah). It is the incessant movement of the mind that prevents us from being able to look deeper within and connecting with our true selves.

One analogy is that when the surface of the pond of the mind is ruffled by the winds of thought it is impossible to see past the surface of the water. When the thoughts slow down and the mind becomes calm and clear it is easier to peer into the depths.

look beyond the surface

The four paths of yoga

Traditionally in India there are four main paths of yoga leading to this state of enlightenment. Each path is adapted to different facets of a person's personality and can be practiced simultaneously with the other paths.

Karma yoga - the yoga of action. This is based on the idea of selfless service to humanity, subordinating the ego to do what needs to be done, rather than doing what one wants to do. All actions are performed without expectation of praise or acknowledgement and without any attachment to the fruit of one's actions.

Jnana yoga - the yoga of reason. This is an intellectual and philosophical pursuit for knowledge and involves studying the Vedas, the Puranas and other philosophical dissertations compiled by the sages. A Jnana Yogi always asks why, and never accepts things blindly without explanation. It is the rational, analytical, cerebral approach. Jnana yoga uses the mind to go to the limits of reason then step beyond the intellect into the boundless realm of intuition.

Bhakti yoga - the yoga of devotion. This is said to be the easiest and simplest path to follow. It merely demands surrendering to the divine will and often involves the practice of rites and rituals. Any kind of devotion to a god of any name or form and the smells and bells of many religions are manifestations of Bhakti yoga. The mind is stilled by the intensity and immediacy of the experience and the atmosphere of devotion.

Raja yoga is literally the royal path and is the system of yoga to which the practice of asanas belongs and the one which we will proceed to describe in more detail. Patanjali also called is ashtanga yoga form the Sanskrit ashta meaning eight and tanga meaning a branch or a limb. (This is not to be confused with the teachings of Patthabi Jois of Mysore who took the term ashtanga and applied it as a label to his own particular interpretation of asana practice.)

The first four limbs deal with our physical actions and are more body based. The latter four limbs are much more about the mind. Each limb influences the other, reinforces and strengthens each other. We can't just take one limb of the tree without regarding the others. Sooner or later, if one practices correctly, one realizes their importance and their interrelation to each other. For further explanations, click on the relevant links above at the top of the right hand column.

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