What Is Yoga : Everything You Need to Know About it

What Is Yoga?

Yoga is a group of physical, spiritual, and mental practices originated in ancient India, to control mind and body. It recognizes the detached 'witness-consciousness, which is untouched by the activities of the mind. The word Yoga means union, which brings you to experiential reality, where an individual can understand the ultimate nature of existence and how it is made. There are a wide variety of yoga schools worldwide which practice yoga, both in traditional forms and modern methods.

History of Yoga

The word ‘Yoga’ originates from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. The beginning of yoga dates back to the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India over 5,000 years ago. Development in yoga was done by the Brahmans and Rishis (mystic seers). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, yoga reached Western countries to attract attention and followers. This began at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago when Swami Vivekananda, through his lectures, motivated the attendees to practise yoga. In the 1920s and 30s, people started to widely practice physical postures of yoga due to the contribution of T. Krishnamacharya, Swami Sivananda and other yogis.

Goals of Yoga

1. Yoga for Mind

Stress demands all of our energy, and if it is not appropriately managed, it can lead to mental health issues. Practising different yoga poses can be soothing and calming for the mind.

2. Yoga for Body

Yoga helps improve flexibility of your body along with boosting digestion power and overall fitness. It is advisable to incorporate yoga into your daily routine for a healthy and strong body.

Types of Yoga

There are various forms of yoga with each style being a bit different from others. You can choose to incorporate different types of yoga in your daily routine depending upon your goals. Now let us take a look at 5 most important types of yoga:

1. Hatha Yoga

Hatha simply means practicing physical postures of yoga like Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc. to calm and align your body and mind. This is comparatively an old form of yoga that has become popular over time.

2. Kundalini yoga

Kundalini yoga includes practice of equal parts - spiritual and physical. This type of yoga is all about releasing the kundalini energy in the body which is trapped in the lower spine.

3. Ashtanga yoga

Ashtanga is translated as "Eight Limb path." This type of yoga is widely practiced in Mysore, India. Vinyasa yoga originates from ashtanga as the flowing style linking breath to movement.

4. Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal yoga is tailored for women in all trimesters and very effective for expectant moms, as it helps you focus on breathing and bonding with the growing baby. Prenatal yoga also helps mothers prepare for labor and delivery.

5. Vinyasa Yoga

This form of yoga is generally athletic in nature and also termed as “flow” yoga, since one posture connects to next posture seamlessly using the breath, which acts as an anchor. Synchronization of every moment with breath is given primacy in this form of yoga.

Components of Yoga

There are in total 8 components of yoga, also known as eight limbs of yoga which act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. These components serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline.

1. Yama

The first limb refers to disciplines and ethical standards. Five Yamas are Ahimsa (nonviolence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (nonstealing), Brahmacharya (continence) and Aparigraha (non-covetousness).

2. Niyama

It focuses on spiritual observances. Niyamas are Saucha (cleanliness), Samtosa (contentment), Tapas (spiritual austerities), Svadhyaya (sacred scriptures) and Isvarapranidhana (surrender to God).

3. Asana

The third component refers to the physical postures practiced in yoga. By practicing asanas we develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate.

4. Pranayama

The fourth component of yoga is designed to enhance the respiratory process of the person as it helps recognize the connection between the breath, the mind and the emotions.

5. Pratyahara

It refers to withdrawal or sensory transcendence. During this stage the person make a conscious effort to draw awareness away from the external world and outside stimuli.

6. Dharana

This component of yoga deals with concentration which precedes meditation. Here the aim is to slow down the thinking process by concentrating on a single mental object.

7. Dhyana

This component of yoga ultimately means to be in a state of being keenly aware without focus. During this stage, the mind has been quieted, and it produces few or no thoughts at all when it is in stillness.

8. Samadhi

The final component of yoga, Samadhi has been described as a state of happiness. During this stage, one merges with his or her point of focus and transcends the self altogether.

Benefits of Yoga

• Yoga helps improve balance, strength and flexibility of the body. Slow movements and deep breathing increase blood flow and warm up muscles. You can also build strength by holding a pose.
• By practicing yoga regularly, you can develop strong back muscles. Yoga poses can also help provide relief from back pain.
• Gentle yoga can also ease swollen joints for people with arthritis.
• Regular yoga practice may help in the reduction of stress levels in the body along with inflammation, which contributes to healthier hearts.
• According to the National Institutes of Health, yoga supports mental health, healthy eating, mindfulness, weight loss and quality sleep.

Myths About Yoga

Myth 1: Yoga Is Only For Women

Fact: Any form of physical activity is not linked to any gender, the same is with yoga. Be it men or women, anybody can practice yoga as part of their daily routine, for healthy body and calm mind.

Myth 2: Yoga Is Only For Thin People

Fact: Yoga is not only for slender people, but for everyone, irrespective of their physique.

Myth 3: Yoga Is A Religion

Fact: Although yoga has a spiritual element, it cannot be considered as a religion. The mantras and chants associated with yoga have Indian roots, however it is only performed to bring focus and enlighten you. While performing yoga, it is not necessary to chant mantras.

Myth 4: Yoga Is Too Easy

Fact: Yoga is a combination of easy as well as difficult asanas and forms. You will need patience, time and lot of practice to perfect those asanas without losing focus.

Myth 5: Yoga Is All About Stretching

Fact: It is not just about stretching. When you perform yoga, it helps reduce muscle soreness, improves flexibility and increase range of motion which is required in every stage of life.

Myth 6: Women must not perform it when they are menstruating or are pregnant

Fact: There is no truth in this statement. It has been found that yoga is good in both situations.

Best Time to Practice Yoga

It is advisable to practice yoga in the morning or afternoon. A morning yoga session can be very dynamic and refreshing, comprising of a full practice. Moreover, doing yoga on empty stomach in the morning can also help in weight loss, as the energy is utilized from the fat reserve in the body. Also, an empty stomach gives plenty of space for the abdominal walls to extend and contract within poses. Always finish your session with Savasana (Corpse Pose), regardless of the time of the day you are training.