Yoga

Meaning and Importance of Yoga


Meaning of yoga


Yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word 'yuj' in verb form which means to unite or to join. It is concerned with the union of the individual soul with the absolute or divine soul.  Yoga is the unification of atma with parmatma. It also means the unification of physical, mental , intellectual and spiritual aspects of human being. 

Importance of yoga 


It is the universal truth that modern age is the age of stress, tension, anxiety. This makes individual tired physically and tense mentally. In order to get rid of physical fatigue and mental tension and stress and falling prey to various diseases. At this junction, yoga can be very significant for us. It  helps us 
  1. Physical purity 
  2. Cure and prevention from diseases 
  3. Reduces mental tension 
  4. Beautification of body
  5. Provides relaxation
  6. Keeps the correct posture of body 
  7. Yoga can be performed easily 
  8. Spiritual development 
  9. Increases flexibility 
  10. Reduces obesity 
  11. Improves health 
  12. Enhances moral and ethical values 

Yoga as an Indian heritage 


Nothing can be said clearly about origin of yoga. To know about origin of yoga we will peep into the different periods of Indian history.

  1. Pre-vedic  period 
  2. Vedic period 
  3. Upanishadic period 
  4. Epic period 
  5. Sutra period 
  6. medieval period 
  7. Modern period 

Elements of yoga 


Patanjali described eight elements of yoga in yogasutras .

  • Yama- yama is the first element of astanga yoga.  Through the practice of yama one can abstain from doing things that keep one's mind involved in the  indiscriminate struggle for survival . One can remain away from violence. They are of following types .
  1. Ahimsa or non-violence 
  2. Satya or truthfulness 
  3. Asteya 
  4. Brahmacharya 
  5. Aparigraha 
  • Niyama -  Niyamas are related to individuals body and senses. Niyamas are also ethical practices as yamas.  There are five Niyamas  such as 
  1. Saucha 
  2. Santosh 
  3. Tapa 
  4. Swadhyaya 
  5. Ishwara pranidhana 
  • Asana-  After yama and niyama, asanas come on the third number. Asanas means position or posture of body. Asanas are performed to keep the body flexible, agile and young . Asanas are following types 
  1. Corrective asanas 
  2. Relaxative Asanas 
  3. Meditative asanas 
  • Pranayama- It is the control of the process of breathing. It means the appropriate control over inhalation and exhalation. Basically  there are  three constituents of pranayama . Puraka (inhalation), kumbhaka (retaining the breath) and rechaka (exhalation ). There are various types of pranayama 
  1. Ujjayi 
  2. Suryabhedi 
  3. Sheetkari
  4. Sheetali
  5. Bhastrika
  6. Bhramari
  7. Murcha 
  8. Placing

  • Pratyahara- pratyahara is a process of self-control in which an individual becomes able to control over his senses.  Indeed, to introvert the mind and senses is called pratyahara.

  • Dharana - Dharana is the concentration of mind. Generally, it is seen that the mind has a tendency to get scattered but if the scattered mind is brought under control and set to one focal point, concentration is said to be achieved

  • Dhyana -  Dhyana is a process of complete constancy of mind. It is stage prior to Samadhi. Generally, dhyana remains attached to our life at every moment .

  • Samadhi- the union of individuals soul with the supreme soul is called Samadhi. Samadhi is also called the checking or destruction of all the impulses of mind .

Physiological benefits of asanas and pranayamas


Physiological benefits of asanas

  1. Bones and joints become strong 
  2. Muscles become strong 
  3. Circulation of blood becomes normal 
  4. Respiratory organs become efficient 
  5. Efficiency or digestive system is increased 
  6. Nervous system is calmed and strengthened 
  7. Glandular activity is stimulated and regulated properly 
  8. Enhances the efficiency of excretory system 
  9. Immune system is strengthened 

Physiological benefits of pranayamas

  1. Improves the supply of oxygen 
  2. Improves the elimination of waste products 
  3. Purifies the nervous system 
  4. Lungs become strong 
  5. Purifies the arteries and veins 
  6. Reduces stress and tension 
  7. Strengthen diaphragm and muscles 
  8. Decrease in rate of respiration 
  9. Improves immunity power 

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