Introduction to Yoga
INTRODUCTION
▪Yoga is a path towards total harmony of body, mind, and
. sprit.
▪The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means
union.
▪Union of the individual consciousness with the universal
consciousness.
▪Yoga is not merely a form of exercise for the body.
INTRODUCTION
▪It is an ancient wisdom - for a healthier, happier, and more peaceful
way of living - which ultimately leads to union with the Self.
▪It is an inherent desire in humans to be happy.
▪The ancient sages, through inquire about life, were able to reach a
state of consciousness in which the secrets of healthier, happier, and
meaningful living were revealed to them.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF YOGA
▪The aim of Yoga is self realization and to attain freedom from all
kinds of sufferings (Duhkkhatrayas).
▪The ultimate goal of yoga is union of individual soul (Jiva-atma)
with the supreme soul (Parama-atma).
▪ The spiritual discipline which leads to such a freedom is called
Yoga.
▪Through the Practice of Ashtanga Yoga , kriya yoga, Isvara
pranidhana etc. we can achieve the aim of Yoga
THE OBJECTIVE OF YOGA IS TO ATTAIN
▪Health
▪Happiness
▪Harmony in all walks of life.
▪Personality development
▪Spiritual quest
Schools of yoga
Hatha Yoga
Raja Yoga
Bhakthi Yoga
Karma Yoga
Janana Yoga
YOGA
▪The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root
“yuj” means - TO JOIN
▪YUJ has 3 meanings in Sanskrit:
1. Yujir yoge
2. Yuj samadhau
3. yuj samyamane
YOGA
1. Yujir yoge: Union of jivatma with paramatma through yoga.
JIVATMA: Individual Consciousness
PARAMATMA: Supreme Consciousness
2. YU J SAMADHAU: By complete or perfect knowledge of jivatma
and parmatma.
SAMYAKA ADEEYATE=PERFECT - Highest state of mind
3. yuj-samyamane: samyak-yamyathe – Judicious Control
Through/By the controlling or judicious control
DEFINITIONS OF YOGA
1) Yogaschittavritti Nirodhah - Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1/2
▪Cessation of mental modifications is yoga.
▪CHITHA-MIND
▪VRITTIS-MODIFICATIONS/TRANSFORMATIONS
▪NIRODAH-RESTRAIN
▪YOGA is the cessation/restrainment of mental modifications of
mind.
Kinds of Vrittis
▪There are Five kinds of vrittis - The fivefold modifications of mind
▪Pramana- right knowledge
▪viparyaya- wrong knowledge
▪vikalpa- fancy
▪nidra- sleep
▪smriti- memory
Abhyasa According to Patanjali Yoga Sutra
तत्र स्थितौ यत्नोऽभ्यासः ॥१३॥
▪Tatra means there /out of the two (Abhyasa and Vairagya).
▪Sthitau means being fixed /established (in sadhana)
▪Yatnah means efforts.
Abhyasa According to Patanjali Yoga Sutra
तत्र स्थितौ यत्नोऽभ्यासः ॥१३॥
▪Abhyasa means continued practice; you cannot leave it at all it becomes a part
of your personality, a part of your individual nature.
▪That emphasize this, the rishi has used the word “Sthitau” which means being
firmly fixed or firmly established.
▪Efforts – indicates all effort whether it is Kriya Yoga ,Hatha Yoga or Meditation.
There is one important point concerning abhyasa which must be under stood.
▪When abhyasa becomes neutral, firmly rooted and completed, it leads to
Samadhi. So every practitioner pay utmost attention to regular and continued
practice which, when perfected, leads to the complete blocking of the vrittis.
Contd..
स तु दीर्घकालनैरन्तयघसत्कारासेवितो दृढभूम ः ॥१४॥
It becomes firmly grounded by being continued for a long time with
reverence, without interruption.
Three things should be follow
1. complete faith
2. continue uninterrupted
3. Go on for quit a long time.
2) Manah Prashamanopaya Yogah Ityabhidhiyate -
YOGA VASISTA
▪Control of mind is YOGA.
▪ MANAHA- chitha,mind.
▪ PRASHAMANA- PRAKARSHENA SHAMANA
▪NO THOUGHTS PRODUCED
▪The one calms down the mind completely is called YOGA.
▪when mind is not calm it produces thought waves known as CHITHA VRITTIS.
▪Cessation of these VRITTIS is called as YOGA.
▪UPAYA-TECHNIQUE/WAYS
▪ YOGA is that the way/technique to control the mind or no thoughts produced.
3)Samyoga Yoga Ithyukta Jivatma Paramatmanoh –
Yajana Valkya Smriti
YOGA is the unification of
JIVATMA(INDIVIDUAL SOUL) with
PARAMATMA(SUPREME SOUL).
4) Yogah Samadhi Samatavasta Jivatma
Paramatmanoh - योगः समाधि समतावस्था जीवात्मा परमात्मनो:
-DATHATRAYE SAMHITA
▪Samadhi- True/ultimate knowledge of Jivatma and Paramatma.
▪Samatavasta- It means equanimity condition.
▪Yoga is samadhi,true knowledge of Jivatma and Paramatma.
5) Sarvachinta Parityagath Nischinta Yoga Uchyate -
सववधित्ता पररत्याग धनस्स्िन्ता योग उच्चते -DATHATRAYE SAMHITA
▪YOGA is the removal of all ‘chintas’ and obtaining ‘Nischinta’-no
chintas state.
▪The state of thoughtless is said to be YOGA, thoughts give rise to
mental modifications and results in DEATH AND BIRTH CYCLE.
▪YOGA helps to get rid of this cycle.
6) Buddhiyukto jahaateeha ubhe sukrita dushkrite
tasmaad yogaaya yujyaswa yogah karmasu kaushalam -योग:
कमसु कौशलम - B.G 2/50
▪KARMA is ACTION
▪KAUSHALAM is PERFECTION
▪YOGA is SKILLFULNESS/perfections In Action.
▪Merge with work, focus on the work,don’t be distracted, Actions
become Perfect
▪When we don’t focus on result(good/bad)of action,then action
becomes perfect.
Contd..
▪Endowed with equanimity, one sheds in this life both good and evil.
▪Therefore, strive for the practise of this YOGA of equanimity.
▪Skill in action lies in the practise of this yoga.
7) Yoga-sthah Kuru Karmani Sangam Tyaktva
Dhananjaya Siddhy-asiddhyoh Samo Bhutva Samatvam
Yoga Ucyate - B.G 2/48
▪Balance/Equanimity is called YOGA.
▪Balanced state of chitha /mind is called YOGA
▪Perform the duties, established in yoga, renouncing attachment, and
be even minded in success and failure.
▪Evenness of mind is called YOGA.
Contd..
▪The nature of mind is to be elated in success and dejected in failure.
But by remaining undisturbed by either the mind gains in clarity and
firmness.
▪It is like the surface of water that has become placid and fit to
reflect objects clearly.
▪THE EVEN MINDNESS IS EQUILIBRIUM
8) Tam Vidyad Dukha-samyoga-viyoga Yoga-
Samjnitam - B.G 6/23
▪YOGA is detaching from painful attachments.
▪Yoga is the name given to the state where all sorrows arising due to
material contact dissolve.
▪Where the mind of expert being restrained come to a half viyoga
from dukha
9) Hakaraha Keertitah Suryah Takaraha Chandra
Uchyate Suryachandramasoryogaat Hathayogo
Nigadyate - Gorakshanath
▪HA------------ SURYA NADI---RIGHT(PINGLA)
▪THA--------------CHANDRA NADI----LEFT(IDA)
▪These are subtle channels
▪When these two nadis become as one…the union of these is called
YOGA.
10) Modern view
▪Yoga is the synchronization of Body-Mind –Soul.
▪Yoga aimed at total wellbeing at Physical- Mental – Emotional –
Intellectual level of a individual this itselself is the personality
individual.
Contd..
▪Various authors have explained the term YOGA in different
dimensions but ultimately it is described as the union of
Individual soul with the Supreme soul.
▪Though the general meaning of yoga signifies the is the union,
UNION OF JIVATMA with PARAMATMA in specific.
Thank You
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