Yoga

Yoga, which means the union of the mind, body and spirit, is an ancient practice and a way of life, perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago. The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root word 'yuj' meaning to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply. Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It was collected and put together in a systematic manner by Patanjali in his classical work, the Yoga Sutras, which consists of 185 terse aphorisms. The ancient Sages or "Sadhu's" meaning seekers of the truth were in constant state of yoga away from the world and looking for answers and the truth within themselves. Over the time four different paths of yoga developed 1. KARMA YOGA (ACTIVE YOGA) 2. JYNANA YOGA (KNOWLEDGE OR PHILOSOPHICAL YOGA) 3. BHAKTI YOGA (DEVOTIONAL YOGA) 4. RAJA YOGA (GREAT OR SCIENTIFIC YOGA) 1. KARMA YOGA: The Karma Yogi is a person who is selflessly serving people around him; he/she works hard, both physically and mentally and seeks to eliminate the ego and its attachments serving without any expectation of reward. 2. JYNANA YOGA: It is a philosophical or intellectual approach to ones spiritual ascent, which describes everything around as an illusion. Based on the philosophy of Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagya (dispassion) the veils of Maya or Illusion are lifted. 3. BHAKTI YOGA: This form of yoga is mostly appealing to people of a very emotional nature. Here they try to achieve bliss thru chanting, prayer and mantra recitation channeling emotional energy into devotion and in positive direction. 4. RAJA YOGA: This is the most comprehensive form of yoga that involves a scientific and practical approach towards the control of the mind and body through Correct Breathing, Postures and Meditation. The most popularly seen form of Yoga in the west Hatha Yoga is a form of Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga has eight steps, which the ancient Yogis studied by observing their own thoughts, scientifically and objectively to bring the uncontrollable mind under conscious control. Sage Patanjali in his compilation of Yoga Sutras provides the ASHTANGANA or the eight steps for mind control an enjoying everlasting peace. 1. YAMA: (Abstentions) Truth, Non-Violence, Control of Sexual Energy, No stealing, No covetousness, No anger, No Greed, No attachments 2. NIYAMA: (Observances) Study, Purity, Surrender of Ego, Contentment, and Austerities. 3. ASANA: Continued practice of Yogic Poses 4. PRANAYAMA: Control of Breath and Vital Energy through proper breathing 5. PRATYAHARA: Withdrawal and control of the Senses 6. DHARNA: Concentration of the mind 7. DHAYANA: Meditation 8. SAMADHI: The Superconscious State and total Oneness with the self and Nature. When Bodhidharma introduced the martial arts to the Chinese monks at the Shaolin temple in China, the basis of his instruction was the yogic exercises that were designed to help the Chinese monks with their meditation. The practice of Yoga along with that of the martial arts will greatly benefit the martial artist as well. A Yogi (person who practices yoga) develops great flexibility along with suppleness and strength that are very important for any serious martial artist. Martial Arts also speak of the Ki or the Chi, which in Yoga is called the Kundalini (serpent power/energy) that lies dormant within all of us and is awakened by the correct practice of Yoga.