Yoga is largely a spiritual practice founded on an extremely precise science that aims at bringing mind and body into balance. The goal of Yoga is to achieve Self-realization, which leads to ‘the state of enlightenment (Moksha) or liberty (Kaivalya). Trying to live with freedom in all aspects of life, as well as healthy and in harmony, will be the primary goals of Yoga practice.
Origin Of Yoga Concerning Ancient Sources
Yoga is thought to have been practiced since the dawn of mankind. Yoga science dates back to ancient times, long before the birth of the first religious faiths or belief systems. Shiva is regarded as the father of yoga, Adiyogi, or Adi Guru, in yogic legend. Some many thousand years ago, on the banks of the Himalayan Lake Kanti Sarovar, Adiyogi imparted his comprehensive knowledge to the legendary Saptarishis. This potent yogic science was spread by sages throughout the globe, including Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and America. The yogic system, however, found its full meaning in India.
The period, approximately between five Thousand years ago and 800 A.D, is considered to be the most fruitful and dominant period in the history and advancement of Yoga. This period is primarily linked to two great religious teachers of India namely Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha. The principle of Mahavir’s Five Great Vows or Pancha Mahavrata and Buddha’s Eight-fold Path or Astangik Marg – can be regarded as the beginning of Yoga sadhana. Its more clear and specific explanation can be found in the Bhagavad-Gita, which vividly presents the concepts of Bhakti yoga, Gyan yoga, and Karma Yoga. These different kinds of yoga are still the height of human intellect, and people today find peace by following the methods outlined in Gita.
Progress Of Yoga
The sun was given top priority during the Vedic era. Because of this influence, the practice of ‘Surya Namaskar may have evolved later. Pranayama was used in daily rituals and to make intercessory prayers. Though Yoga was practiced the well before Vedic period, the great Sage Maharshi Patanjali systematized and organized the then-existing practices of Yoga, as well as it’s meaning and linked knowledge, in his Yoga Sutras. Following Patanjali, many Sages and Yoga Masters made significant contributions to the field’s development and preservation through their well-documented practices and literary works.
Types Of Yoga
Hatha Yoga consists of numerous body postures and stances that help to balance the mind and body. According to a study, Hatha yoga helps us de-stress, stay fit and healthy, and flexible, look much younger and detoxify and rejuvenate our system. In addition, consistent practice causes weight loss and muscle strength.
Ashtanga Yoga is a direct continuation of the Yoga Sutras of sage Patanjali. Yoga is well-known for its weight-loss benefits. If you’re looking for yoga to help with anxiety and stress, back and shoulder pain, backache, or burn fat, ashtanga is the way to go.
Kundalini Yoga involves repeated poses. Kundalini yoga activates the dormant kundalini, Shakti. According to yogis, Kundalini Shakti is like a coiled snake that lies dormant at the bottom of the spine. As a result, productive energy moves up the spine, contributing to your divine well-being. Kundalini yoga can also help with anxiety, stress, feelings of hopelessness, and brain ability.
Iyengar Yoga is not like most types of yoga. It mainly focuses on the pose, body coordination, and body opening. Props such as yoga frames and straps are also used to master poses. According to one study, Iyengar yoga can effectively treat musculoskeletal discomfort. It also aids in the treatment of gastrointestinal and gynecologic conditions.
Aerial Yoga combines other exercises while defying gravity. It combines the benefits of yoga and cardio workouts such as swimming or running.
Yoga’s Global Spread
Swami Vivekananda is widely regarded as the man who introduced and spread yoga to the West. His book Raja Yoga, published in Manhattan in 1895, significantly influenced Western conceptions of what yoga was. More Indian guru instructors and successors would travel to Europe and America in the upcoming years.
Later, in the 1960s, Hippie Trail travellers finally stopped in Indian ashrams, and pictures of The Beatles touring the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh in 1967 drew more worldwide attention to Indian mysticism and, of course, yoga.
Recently, one of the leading magazines reported that Yoga is the fastest growing culture across the globe. The Yogic scriptures like the Upanishads can also enlighten us in understanding yoga which can give the right perspective that we are not just the physical body but also the Chaitanya (Atman) or the consciousness aspect which is deeply hidden within our real sense.
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