Basics and Types of Yoga

What is 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.In Indian thought, everything is permeated by the Supreme Universal Spirit (Pararnatma or God) of which the individual human spirit (jivatma) is a part. Yoga is basically a means by which jivatma can be united to, or be in communion with the Paramatma, and so secure liberation (moksa).

Yoga as exercise was sequeneced consisting largely of asanas, often connected by flowing sequences called vinyasas, sometimes accompanied by the breathing exercises of Pranayama, and usually ending with a period of relaxation or meditation

Six schools of Indian Philosophy.

Though Yoga as an execrise is relatively new, the yogic traditions date back to ancient India. It was one of the six traditions of Indian Hindu Philospohy, the five others being Nyaya (analytics and logic), Vaisheshika (naturalism school with atomistic themes), Samkhya (rationalism), Mimamsa (ritualism) and Vedanta (Upanishadic tradition). The first major systematization of existing knowledge was Yoga sutra of Patanjali in 2BCE. It is a collection of 196 Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practise of Yoga. He considered Yoga to have eight limbs "Ashtanga".

Meaning of Yoga according to Bhagavad Gita.

"When his mind, intellect and self (aharnkara) 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 there from. 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 different shade of meaning and revealing different aspects of the entire range of human endeavour to win inner peace and happiness."

Why Yoga is for everybody ?

Yoga is for everybody because Yoga can be whatever you want to be (within reason). Yoga can be a intense mind bending and heart altering grasp of conciousness or it can be a simple work out to lose weight. It can be to improve blood flow,perform well in the exams, improve ailments, get proper menstruation or about anything one wants to improve in life. It simply teaches to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.

Yoga as equipoise

'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 as moderation and skillful living

Yoga has also been described as wisdom in work or skilful living amongst- activities with 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.'

Yoga as an anti-delusional

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.'

Most of us when we talk about Yoga, we limit it to third and fourth components namely Asana and Pranayama.

Asana

Asana brings steadiness, health and lightness of limb. A steady and pleasant posture produces mental equilibrium and prevents fickleness of mind.By practising them one

develops agility, balance, endurance and great vitality.Asanas have been evolved over the centuries so as to exercise every muscle, nerve and gland in the body. They secure a fine physique, which is strong and elastic without being muscle-bound and they keep

the body free from disease. They reduce fatigue and soothe the nerves. But their real importance lies in the way they train and discipline the mind.

Pranayama

Prana means breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy or strength. It also connotes the soul as opposed to the body. Ayama means length, expansion, stretching or restraint. Pranayama thus connotes extension of breath and its control. This control is over all the functions of breathing, namely, (1) inhalation or inspiration, which is termed puraka (filling up); (2) exhalation or expiration, which is called rechaka (emptying the lungs), and (3) retention or holding the breath, a state where there is no inhalation or exhalation, which is termed kumbhaka. It helps to calm down and increase vitality.

So the gist is Yoga can be anything you want to be and more. Its better to take one step at a time, instead of getting overwhelmed by the vastness of the subject or expecting too much mental awakening from the start.There are lot of variations of Yoga and practitioners would do well to get acquainted with the basics.

For more, Light on Yoga by B.K.S.Iyengar