WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophical traditions. The word yoga means ”union” in Sanskrit. That union is between mind, body and spirit.
Yoga is a philosophy. Yoga is a tree with a few brunches. At the moment, I will talk about Yoga philosophy from Patanjali, who was an Indian sage, who believed to have authored or compiled the Yoga Sutras. Yoga history is fascinating, and when I prepare this topic, I will share this post on the website.
The Western world commonly describes yoga as a set of postures-asanas, physical exercise, practice to gain flexibility, relax the body. Yoga asana, of course, build strength, balance, coordination and stamina, but for instance, the word “asana” means “seat” in Sanskrit.
Patanjali defines “asana” as “to be seated in a position which firm, but relaxed” possible it was just the one asana in yoga – a comfortable seat taken for long periods of meditation. In modern yoga, we have thousands of asanas, yet yoga is much more than just an asana.
I love how Georg Feuerstein says in his book “Deeper Dimension of Yoga “: “…the postures are only the “skin” of yoga. Hidden behind them are “the flesh and blood” of breath control and mental techniques that are still more difficult to learn, as well as moral practices that require a lifetime of consistent application and that correspond to the skeletal structure of the body…”
Yoga is about physical and spiritual discipline, awareness. It is a process to unite the body mind and soul, to have an authentic connection with ourselves in life where we always build barriers as we are becoming adults.
Yoga is a philosophy of living. Fill the life with love, compassion and an open mind, self-cultivation, and realisation of the ones ness with the divine/ ultimate consciousness.
Yoga is a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual discipline. Yoga is a lifestyle.