YOGA

What is Yoga…??

Yoga is a perfect practical system of self-culture. It is an exact science which aims at the harmonious development of the body, mind, and soul. Yoga is the discipline of the mind, senses and physical body which helps in the coordination and control of the subtle forces within the body. It brings peace and everlasting happiness.

Almost every corner of the world is now familiar with the world yoga. Though it has gained a lot of popularity, there are still many misconceptions remaining about yoga amongst the people. Basically, the yoga is getting popularity as an alternative means for a good health these days. As a result, only Asanas, Pranayamas and Meditation techniques are being popularized in the name of yoga as these are the therapeutic tools of yoga. Even to get a good health and to sustain a good health the proper understanding of the philosophy of yoga is important.

Generally, yoga is explained as a way of living. It is true but only when we are concerned about health. But yoga is not limited only to health aspect of life. It basically deals with our existence. Yoga is the answer for all the questions we get about our existence. It answers the fundamental questions of our life – what? Why? How? When? Every human being on the earth irrespective of cultural and religious background faces these fundamental questions as it is the basic nature of human being. So when these basic confusions or doubts get cleared one comes to know the reality of life, the reality of oneself, reality of existence. Then the person will lead a happy and satisfied life. And this is nothing but the purpose of yoga.

It is important to know that yoga is not a goal to achieve. Rather it’s a medium to achieve the goal. Thus a practitioner should keep it mind that gaining mastery over any asana (posture) doesn’t make him a yogi. The spiritual awareness brought through the practice of asanas can make him a yogi. The point is one should not consider the parts or stages of yoga themselves as goals to achieve. They are just the stages of yoga one by one which leads to the ultimate goal of human life i.e. moksha (salvation).

So it important to know what actually yoga is? What actually yoga says? What are the different traditions of yoga? What is moksha? What are the ways yoga explains for moksha? Which is further explained here in detail.

• meaning and definition of yoga