Yoga
Whats yoga?
What’s yoga? Yoga, though largely considered a physical discipline due to its popularity in the West, is in fact one of the most ancient heritages of India and is a part of the rich culture of the country. In Sanskrit, the word yoga stands for a ‘union’. Yoga essentially stands for a harmonious union of the body, mind, and the soul. This union produces a stronger and more flexible body, a calmer and sharper mind, and a positive and moral spirit.
Yoga, when practiced as a lifestyle, as is in many parts of the world, can not only generate good health but also slow the ageing process, therefore increasing the longevity of fragile human life. The ultimate aim of yoga is to culminate the physical practice into feelings of peace and perennial happiness.
Yoga can help you achieve ultimate accomplishments and self realization through a series of physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. Though yoga was developed on scientific principles, there are also aspects of physiological as well as psychological training in this discipline.
Yoga has been built on scientific principles. However, the rapid growth and popularity of the discipline have also led to the spread of misconceptions about the discipline. Yoga is not a religious or tantric practice. It is spiritual to a large extent, however, the practitioners can choose not to practice the spiritual aspect of the discipline, concentrating only on the physical and the mental aspects. The practice of yoga has nothing to do with Hinduism and even little so with black or white magic, as is popularly believed. Yoga does not enable anyone to perform miraculous feats. However, it does increase self control and will power of the practitioner, enabling him/her to direct their lives in a more purposeful channel.
Yoga, as a discipline, is not only a series of exercises, but a lifestyle choice. This includes the practice of a culture which is meant to evolve with the values of a person. The purification of mind, body and soul is the ultimate aim of this discipline. The practice of yoga is not based on any prerequisites. It can be
embraced by anyone willing to use it for their own benefit. Even the non believers and non religious can easily practice yoga without having to change their beliefs. The practice of yoga can be started at any point in a person’s life and can be continued till the time the practitioner feels comfortable.
Submitted by A on June 30, 2010 at 09:13
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