Origin of
Yoga
Yoga means the union of body
and mind where body is the individual soul and mind is the Universal spirit.
Yoga is the restraining of mind-stuff (chitta) from taking various forms
(vritti). It originated in Hindu culture. Though all the details of the ancient
civilization of India are not available, a few that are known reveal the
origin of yoga. Among the remnants of Ancient Indian civilization, the findings
of Harappa and Mohanjodaro are note worthy. Those excavations were made and
the commonly agreed date of this civilization is 3000 B.C. The Indus Valley
Civilization was developed in almost all aspects of human life. It is in
the remnants of this civilization of Harappa and Mohanjadaro that two seals
in yogic posture have been found. These seals are in the famous Yogic posture-
Lotus Pose.
Ancient texts on Yoga:
The first known systematic
writing about the thought and practices of Yoga, is that of
Patanjali. His book is called Patanjali Sutra.
He wrote this book in Sanskrit, which was the literary language of that time.
Among the pertinent literature
which became the foundation of a systematic treatment of yoga,the most important
is the Sankhya Darshan.
Kapila was the composer and developer of
this book. This book discusses the basic elements of nature (prakriti)
and human beings (purusha). After
the work of Patanjali and Kapila another important work is done by
Vyasa. He wrote Bhagavad Gita.Vyasa
bought together in Gita what was covered by Kapila and Patanjali both. His
mode of presentation and treatment was different from the previous two writers.
He presented it in the form of dialogue between Krisha and Arjuna the heroic
figures of Mahabharata.
Action is life
; Inaction is death.
Astanga
Yoga:(pronounced as ashtanga)
There are
different types of yoga. But Patanjali's eight steps or limbs are called
Astanga Yoga.They are,
-
Yama (control and discipline)
-
Niyama (rules, methods and
principle)
-
Asana (making body postures)
-
Pranayama (kriyas with air)
-
Prathyahara (avoidance of
undesirable actions)
-
Dharana (concentration)
-
Dhyana (meditation)
-
Samadhi ( contemplation)
-
Jnana Yoga: Covers Yama and
Niyama.
-
Karma Yoga: It is the science
of action covers Prathyahara.
-
Hatha Yoga: Covers Asanas and
Pranayamas. Also covers Bandhas and Mudras.
-
Raja Yoga: Covers Dharana,
Dhyana and Samadhi is the science of mental excellence.
{ Read more in
Hatha
Yoga Pradipika }
Beauty:
Four universal and essential
qualities of beauty are good health, proposition, grace and harmony. All
this can be achieved by doing yoga regularly.
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