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Understanding Yoga

 

The word 'yoga' is derived from 'yuj', a Sanskrit verb that means 'to unite' (in fact, yoga shares an Indo-European root with the English verb 'to yoke'). While the practice of yoga today is widely concerned with attaining physical fitness, its original purpose was far higher – to bring together body, mind and breath through a series of physical postures (asanas), meditation techniques and ways of living, leading to realization of the true purpose of existence – union with God.

The four, primary types of yoga are designed to suit four psychological profiles of spiritual aspirants. Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge) for the intellectually inclined, Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion) for the emotional, Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action) for the physically active and Raja Yoga (Yoga of Meditation) for the contemplative individual. These are not mutually exclusive but blend into each other in actual practice, with perhaps one being predominant, depending on the individual.

The daily practice of asanas brings a sense of well-being as the body becomes stronger, more balanced and flexible and internal organs function optimally. Deep breathing (pranayama) relaxes the mind, produces a state of joyful serenity and develops concentration, leading to great mental clarity. With regular meditation, the practitioner is able to go ever deeper within himself. The concerns of his external life become insignificant as he understands the pure nature of his Self and its link with the Universe, or what is commonly termed as God. Paradoxically, this detachment helps him function more effectively in his daily life.

Can everyone reach this idealized state? Perhaps not. But the journey is hugely fulfilling and certainly brings you closer to your final goal.

 

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Integral Yoga

The originator of Integral Yoga is Swami Satchidananda, among the first gurus who popularized yoga in the West. As the name implies, Integral Yoga places equal importance on postures, breathing and meditation. Typically, a class commences with 45 minutes devoted to asanas. This is followed by relaxation techniques, pranayama and finally, meditation. Dr. Dean Ornish famously used Integral Yoga in his research on treating heart ailments.

Sivananda Yoga

Another school of yoga that’s ideal for beginners, Sivananda has a worldwide presence. It was developed by Swami Vishnu-Devananda in honor of his guru, Swami Sivananda. It incorporates a set of classic asanas, breathing techniques, dietary principles and methods to promote positive thinking. In 1960, Swami Vishnu-Devananda published The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, an essential read for beginners.

Ashtanga Yoga

The sage Vamana is thought to be the creator of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Its modern version was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois. Ashtanga is popularly known as Power Yoga since it emphasizes strength-building through aerobics, moving  from one asana to another rapidly. Power, stamina and concentration are enhanced through these high energy exercises. Ashtanga is performed in a room with raised temperature which helps practitioners sweat out toxins. Most popular with athletes and people looking for a vigorous workout.

Raja Yoga

This classical school of yoga is one of six which were expounded by Sage Patanjali, the original author of the Yoga Sutras. Raja Yoga focuses primarily on the development of the mind through meditation. Raja Yoga is sometimes termed ‘Astanga Yoga’ (not to be mistaken for ‘Ashtanga’), referring to the eightfold path to spiritual liberation. Those aspiring to perform Raja Yoga would have to prepare themselves for its rigorous meditative practices by first physically purifying themselves through Hatha Yoga.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga originated in the 15th century, and is credited to the Indian sage, Swami Swatmarama. Literally, ‘Ha’ means ‘sun’ and ‘tha’ means ‘moon’. It also refers to the Sanskrit ‘nadis’ or channels of subtle energy starting at the base of the spine and culminating at the crown of the head. Through a series of physical exercises (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama), Hatha yoga cleanses these channels of toxins and negativity, so as to awaken the divine power (kundalini) in all beings.

Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced school of yoga, worldwide. Its gentle exercises make it ideally suited to beginners. The benefits of Hatha yoga are manifold. It promotes and sustains flexibility of the joints through a series of graduated exercises. Adult beginners are often astonished at the level of flexibility they are able to attain through regular practice of the prescribed asanas. The muscles are gradually strengthened; endurance builds up too. The asanas benefit internal organs and glands, while pranayama improves lung function and induces a deep sense of calm. Thus, all aspects of a being, physical, psychological and spiritual, stand to gain from the practice of Hatha Yoga.

Over the years, practitioners of Hatha Yoga have diversified their techniques and created their own schools. Some of the best known schools are B.K.S. Iyengar’s Iyengar Yoga, T.K.V. Desikachar’s Viniyoga and K. Pattabhi Jois’s Ashtanga Yoga.

Yoga & Hindu Mythology

Mythology has played a powerful and important role in survival and popularity of yogic principles. Yoga is associated with the god Shiva, who is revered as the Adi Guru or first teacher. And therein lies a tale! For millennia, the blue-throated, ash-smeared god with dread-locks would remain in deep meditation. Coming out of his trance, he would dance ecstatically over the mountains, blissed out, as moderns would say! He was different from other divinities, the most realized of them all. Curious, the Gods approached him for the secret of his evolved state, whereupon Shiva expounded upon the various types of yoga.

Shiva’s first student was his wife Parvati, Goddess of creation, to whom he taught yoga with great gentleness and detail. His classroom was the shore of an uninhabited island. Parvati, eager as she was to learn, fell asleep during the exposition. However, there was a listener hiding in the sea – the sage Lokesvara. Shiva appreciated his keen interest and named him Matsyendranath, or Lord of the Fishes; the sage was conferred with the authority to disseminate the techniques of Hatha Yoga, the yogic school that is most widely practiced worldwide. Matsyendranath passed his knowledge on to his disciple Goraksa and the tradition continued. Possibly, Lokesvara and his disciple were historical personalities. Of more interest is the question: why did Parvati fall asleep? Was she, god forbid, bored? Most myths have hidden meanings and so does this one. Shiva, in yogic philosophy, represents the Universal Soul or transcendent Self (in Sanskrit, “paramatma”); Parvati is us, the individual self (“jivatma”). Like her, we too go through life “asleep”, unaware of our spiritual potential. Yoga is the means by which we may attain union with that Self.

A second set of yogic teachings came down to the Saptarishis (the seven sages), or guardians of divine laws, near Kedarnath, Shiva’s icy shrine in the Himalayas. On Mahashivaratri, the festival that honors Shiva, devotees fast and stay up all night. On this night, the alignment of the planets in the northern hemisphere creates a rise in cosmic energies. Sitting with the spine upright in a state of wakefulness on Mahashivaratri is believed to boost spiritual powers.

The Origin of Yoga

The origin of most ancient Indian contributions to philosophy, the arts and science are lost in time. The Vedas (sacred texts), treatises on performing arts, or indigenous medicine were orally transmitted down the generations and only later preserved in the written form. So it was with Yoga, the holistic, mind-body system of exercise that has seen an upsurge of interest in the modern world since the twentieth century.

Between 300 BCE and 100 CE, the sage Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras wherein he defined how the practice of certain techniques allowed an individual to gain control over his mental processes and cleanse his body of accumulated toxins, thereby achieving a state of psychological and physical well-being.

Patanjali though, did not claim to be the originator of Yoga; he was merely the first to compile its practice in an organized form. Yoga is not necessarily a Hindu practice, but as with most classical Indian traditions, it is approached with a deep sense of devotion. Perhaps, the wise ones who devised these traditions felt it necessary to imbue their works with a sense of the sacred, in order that they may be preserved and valued down the generations. Mythology played a powerful and important role in this thinking.

Yoga and Ayurveda for Holistic Health

The mention of yoga brings to mind a set of physical exercises with a flavor of India.  And yes, there is meditation involved too. But there is more to yoga than this. Yoga involves both physical and mental disciplines; however, the purpose is to help those who practice yoga to achieve their spiritual goal. The physical fitness and mental calm gained in the process are incidental.

Ayurveda is the ancient Indian science of health that deals with both physical and mental health – absolute necessities on the spiritual path.

Cultural significance

The purpose of a human existence according to Hinduism is to achieve oneness with the Supreme Reality. Ill health can be a major deterrent to this goal. Therefore, ancient Hindu seers amassed a wealth of knowledge for both physical and mental well being. We know them as yoga and ayurveda, a combination of which results in physical, mental and emotional health, rendering a person holistically fit.

Origin

Hindu Vedic philosophy has six main systems, with the system referring to yoga called Yoga Darshana. This was compiled by Sage Patanjali; the compilation was based upon ancient yogic teachings of several other sages before him.  Sage Charaka is considered the Father of Ayurveda, with the Charaka Samhita being the source of all the ayurveda that is currently practiced, with the root source being the Vedas – ancient Hindu texts of wisdom.

Basic principles  

Ayurveda is a system that makes use of certain inherent principles of nature to ensure good health.  The basic surmise is that all human beings contain the same five elements that the universe is made of – air, fire, water, earth and ether. These elements are evident in the human body in the form of life-forces or doshas, classified as vata, pitta and kapha. The body remains healthy as long as the three remain in balance. Ill health of any kind is caused by an imbalance in these doshas and the treatment aims to correct the balance.    

The science of yoga is based on five basic principles. These are:
•    Proper relaxation
•    Proper exercise
•    Proper breathing
•    Suitable diet
•    Positive thinking  

Ayurveda and yoga go hand in hand. Exercise, breathing and diet can affect the life-forces or dosha that impact overall health. Similarly, depending upon the age and physical condition of a person, the dosha or life-force balance varies. Appropriate exercises or asana as they are called in yoga, suitable pranayama –breathing exercises, and a proper diet differ according to the dosha balance in a person. It is possible that an asana or breathing technique that benefits someone else might actually cause you discomfort.

Yoga and ayurveda in the West

Yoga has been around in the West since the twentieth century. However, the West’s introduction to ayurveda happened much later – only in the mid-1980s. The health benefits of yoga were acknowledged, but its full healing potential in combination with modern allopathic medicine was never realized. In the 1970s alternative medicine became popular in the West and yoga practitioners tried associating yoga with naturopathy, herbal remedies and even Chinese medicine. By the time ayurveda reached Western shores, yoga had its own existence without the influence of ayurveda. However, now there are many centers in the West that combine yoga and ayurveda and offer personalized advice to address specific needs.

Yoga therapy, with ayurveda as a key component, as well as ayurvedic treatment that prescribes yoga, is now recognized as a complete system of medicine.