What is Yoga, exactly? Is it just an exercise form? Is it a religion, a philosophy, an ideology? Or is it something else entirely? Today everyone knows what yoga is but their understanding is mostly limited to physical postures, known as Asanas. But does yoga means physical poses? To find the answer we need to understand the definitions of yoga in the ancient texts. These ancient texts are giving a powerful message of yoga which is much deeper than what we understand.
Yoga is a word derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj ‘ which means join, 2 or more things are needed to join. And when 2 or more objects are joined, then it becomes one object. There is connection and harmony between 2 objects which have become one. So yoga is all about oneness, experience of oneness, feeling of harmony.
1.ASHTANGA YOGA – IN YOGA SUTRAS, PATANJALI DEFINES YOGA AS
“Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah” – Chitt – mind, Vritti – functioning of mind, Nirodha –control Yoga is to control the functioning of the mind. We have our thoughts, emotions, feelings and conditionings in the mind. It is very difficult to control. Yoga is the technique to control all these functions of the mind
2.BHAGAVAD GITA – LORD KRISHNA DEFINES YOGA
Lord Krishna defines yoga as “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” – Samatva – balanced state, Uchyate – said to be
Yoga is a balanced state. Yoga is a balanced state of the body and mind. Yoga is a balanced state of emotions. Yoga is a balanced state of thoughts and intellect. Yoga is a balanced state of behaviour. We are excited in the situation of pleasure and we become sad when it is a negative situation. Yoga is to maintain equilibrium of the mind in any situation. This equanimity of mind is the ultimate objective of yoga.
3. YOGA VASHISHTHA
In Yoga Vashishtha, Guru of Lord Rama Sage Vashishtha defines yoga as “Yoga mana prashmana upayah” – mana – mind, prashmana – perfectly peaceful and silent, upay – remedy, cure
Yoga is a cure for the mind to become perfectly steady and peaceful. Our natural state of mind is peaceful and without any distractions, disturbances, difficulties and distress. Yoga is the path to reach this natural state.
Yoga’s approach is simple. If the mind is not controlled then the body will also not be under control. If the mind is not healthy then body will not be healthy. Research has shown that every thought in the mind affects the brain, nervous system and all other organs in the body. Negative thoughts and emotions disturb the balance of the nervous system and all other organs. This is the cause of all diseases of the body and mind, so control of the mind is essential for physical and mental health.
