Yoga

YOGA

Yoga The term yoga comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj," meaning to join, to connect, union. Yoga defines the merging of the individual mind with universal consciousness or with God. It also defines perfect harmony between body and mind, between human beings and nature. Hatha Yoga: derived from the Sanskrit words Ha (sun) and Tha (moon), evoking the balance between the masculine and feminine aspects within ourselves or in other words, balancing the active pole (hot, solar, Yang) with the receptive pole (cool, lunar, Yin). Thus, Hatha Yoga describes the means of creating balance between all the different opposing forces within oneself. Yoga postures, asanas, prepare the body, in particular the nervous system, for long hours of seated meditation. Read more: According to the text called the Yoga Sutras of Patanajali, eight limbs, astanga, of yoga are described. These include yamas and niyamas: ethical and clean living disciplines, asanas, ideal postures for meditation, pranayama, breathing to direct prana or life force, pratyahara, withdrawal of the senses from external objects, dharana, concentration, Dhyana, meditation and samadhi, enlightenment. Thus, both Meditation and Yoga represent paths leading to the union of opposites and means of accessing non-duality, the timeless, indescribable consciousness present in all things. In India, many different forms of yoga are described. Among them are: In the Bhagavad Gita, 18 different forms of Yoga are described, such as Dhyana Yoga, meditation: not clinging to the fruits of our actions, not being carried away by our desires and fears and attaining samadhi, the realization of our true nature. Guru Yoga: describes a practice that leads to the merging of the yogi's mind with that of the master, and ultimately to the realization that our master is within ourselves. Integral Yoga, according to Sri Aurobindo: all of life is yoga. Every breath, word, and action connect us to who we truly are: pure and luminous consciousness. Everything reconnects us to consciousness. We don't practice yoga; life is yoga. The goal of yoga is to enter into the divine presence, to become an instrument of the Divine, and to be constantly aware of our divine nature.