What is yoga

 

 

Yoga is a state of oneness, a system of self-transformation and discipline for body, mind and soul. In the literal translation yoga means the merging of the individual awareness (Atma) with the cosmic awareness (Paramatma). In simple words, to live in harmony, joy, understanding and love with ourselves and the universe. This art of living was practiced and perfected thousands of years ago, but since it is based on the universal truth, it never goes out of date. The universal truth doesn’t change.

 

Yoga is a practical method, not a religion, and that’s why yoga can be practiced by Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Hindu’s and atheist with the same enthusiasm. The main goal of yoga is to live in harmony with ourselves and the world around us.

 

In the basis of yoga lies the path to the truth – the truth of who we are; what are potential is, and how our actions influence our lives. The truth is the only medicine that can heal us, it is the only strength though which we can manifest our potential. Yoga wakes us up to see ourselves as we are and the world as it is, so that it can open itself to us.

 

When we go back in time, we see many recordings of the perfections of yoga, going back more than 3000 years. It is believed that in ancient civilizations it was a way of XXX, oneness with nature and the universe, and a harmonious way of life. But since it was used in a negative way of gaining power, yoga remained a well kept secret. We start to find out about yoga in the Vedas and Upanishad, where all the knowledge of the universe is described as it was received through meditation by the ancient masters.

 

The wisdom of yoga and the ancient texts are being kept in Indian yoga ashrams – homes of spirit, culture and art where people live a strict monastic life, with a great discipline in meditation and sober living, so that they find the path towards self awareness, cosmic awareness and truth. That’s why it is thought that yoga originates from India. The most famous writings on the principals of yoga are the yoga sutras of Patanjali (a guru that lived in 4-3 century B.C. who had his own ashram, where he taught yoga).

 

The yoga sutras are short coded texts (aphorisms) that explain the yoga principles. Patanjali talks about yoga mainly as a method of cleansing, education and discipline of the mind, so that we can use its strong energy to receive self realization, to use our human nature and creative energy to its full potential. The Asana’s (yoga postures) are mentioned in only one of the sutras. He says: ‘The asana is a comfortable posture in which one can remain a long time’. Today, yoga is mainly known as a system that gives you a ‘good work-out’ and flexibility.

 

Needless to say, that yoga is much more than just physical exercise. Yoga is a science that helps us to know ourselves and the world. Yoga is an art that allows us to be aware of our inner beauty and to manifest it to the world around us.