What is Yoga?

What is Yoga?

The word ‘Yoga’is derived from Sanskrit root ‘Ýuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or to yoga or ‘to ‘unite. Vyasa Bhasya on Yoga Sutras states that yoga means Samadhi. The most popular definition of yoga is union, the union of individual self (atman) with that of the universal self (Paramatman), indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, Man & Nature. In this sense the aim of yoga is to help us realize our identity with the real universal self, to make us know and tune into our intrinsic nature. The root purpose of life in all the ancient tradition teaching of yoga and spirituality   is to discover our true eternal nature whilst living in the physical body. This is often as to become Self realized or Enlightment.

Bhagvat Gita gives us other definition of Yoga;

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते | तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् ॥ 2 ॥

buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukṛita-duṣhkṛite tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśhalam

Endowed with wisdom of equanimity, casting off in this life both good and bad deeds, thus dedicate yourself to yoga. Skill in actions is yoga. In yoga sutra Patanjali has described yoga as:

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥ 2 ॥

Yogaha Chitta-Vritti nirodaha

Yoga is stoppage of fluctuations of mind or cessation of modification of mind. When the mind is in a calm state, a state of equanimity, one is in a state of yoga. Hence, Yoga is complete stoppage of mental modifications so that the seer is established in its own self of his true nature. Thus the aim of Yoga is Self- realization, to overcome all kinds of sufferings leading to ‘the satage of liberation’ or freedom (Kaivalya). Living with freedom in all walks of life, health and harmony shall be the main objectives of yoga practice.