Yoga originated in ancient India and has a long history dating back thousands of years. It began as a spiritual practice but is now commonly practiced as a form of exercise focused on poses (asanas). While asanas are the most visible part of yoga, the full practice also includes breathing techniques, meditation, chanting, and philosophy. Regular yoga practice provides benefits for both physical and mental health like improved flexibility, strength, posture, stress relief and happiness.
2. INTRODUCTION
Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or
disciplines which originated in ancient India.
The term "Yoga" in the Western world often denotes a modern form of
hatha yoga and yoga as exercise, consisting largely of the postures or
asanas.
The practice of yoga has been thought to date back to pre-vedic Indian
traditions; possibly in the Indus valley civilization around 3000 BCE.
Yoga is one of the six Āstika (orthodox) schools of Hindu philosophical
traditions., which has its own epistemology, ontology and metaphysics,
and is closely related to Hindu Samkhya philosophy.
3. HISTORY
Yoga is mentioned in the Rigveda and also referenced in the Upanishads.
Although, yoga most likely developed as a systematic study around the
5th and 6th centuries BCE.
The chronology of earliest texts describing yoga-practices is unclear,
varyingly credited to the Upanishads. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali gained
prominence in the west in the 20th century after being introduced by
Swami Vivekananda.
Hatha yoga texts began to emerge sometime between the 9th and 11th
century.
Outside India, it has developed into a posture-based physical fitness,
stress-relief and relaxation technique. Yoga in Indian traditions, however,
is more than physical exercise; it has a meditative and spiritual core.
4. Etymology
The Sanskrit noun yoga is derived from the sanskrit root yuj "to attach,
join, harness, yoke". In the context of yoga sutras, the word Yoga means
Union.
the chief aim of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, was "uniting" the human
spirit with the Divine spirit. In the Sutras, the root yuj samādhau (to
concentrate) is considered by traditional commentators as the correct
etymology.
According to Pāṇini and Dasgupta the term yoga can be derived from
either of two roots, yujir yoga (to yoke) or yuj samādhau ("to concentrate").
Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy with a high
level of commitment is called a yogi or yogini.
8. Yoga is more than poses
Breathing practices, known as pranayama
Meditation techniques
Chanting
Visualization exercises
Study of yoga philosophy
Selfless service such as volunteer work, known as karma yoga
Moral precepts against stealing, lying, doing harm to yourself and others
When people in the West hear the word yoga, they usually think of
the stretching and strengthening poses known as asana, which are
the primary focus of most yoga classes. But asana is only one
aspect of a multidimensional system that includes:
9. Benefits of Yoga
Improves your flexibility
Builds muscle strength
Perfects your posture
Protects your spine
Betters your bone health
Gives your lungs room to breathe
Gives you peace of mind
Increases your self-esteem
Increases your self-esteem
Gives you inner strength
Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown
Prevents IBS and other digestive problems
10. Increases your blood flow
Ups your heart rate
Drops your blood pressure
Regulates your adrenal glands
Makes you happier
Founds a healthy lifestyle
Lowers blood sugar
Helps you focus
Relaxes your system
Improves your balance
Maintains your nervous system
Releases tension in your limbs
Helps you sleep deeper
Drains your lymphs and boosts immunity
Boosts your immune system functionality
11. LIMITATIONS
Yoga is generally safe for most people. But you may
need to avoid some yoga poses or modify poses if you:
Are pregnant
Have high blood pressure
Have glaucoma
Have sciatica
12. CONCLUSION
Yoga is a spiritual tradition that began in India about 5,000 years ago. The
practice of yoga is compatible with any religion, as well as atheism.
Many of the yoga traditions believe that the practices of yoga lead to
union of a person with his or her true nature, or with God or the universe.
From a yogic perspective, the mind, and its ceaseless internal monologue,
is the source of suffering.
The various yoga practices serve to calm the mind. From a wellspring of
relaxed concentration-the hallmark of yoga-comes inner peace,
heightened creativity, and awareness of our essential nature.