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 The
origin of Yoga can
be found in the time
of Vedas. Meditation
was the only method
by which ancient seers
tried to discover
the nature of things.
Vedas, Upanishads
were the results of
deep meditation and
ascetic practices
(Tapas). The ascetic
practices are referenced
in Upanishad, Veda
and Brahmana (900
BCE and 500 BCE).
Main textual sources
for the concept of
Yoga are Upanishad,
(ca. 400 BCE) Great
epics Ramayana (400
BCE), Mahabharata
(5th c. BCE), Bhagavad-Gita
and the Yoga Sutras
of Patanjali. Bhagavadgita
and Yoga Sutras of
Patanjali are the
authoritative scriptures
on Yoga. Bhagavad-Gita
describes four Yogas
namely, Karmayoga,
Rajayoga, Jnanayoga
and Bhaktiyoga. Yoga
Sutras of Patanjali
mainly concentrates
on Rajayoga.
Bhagavad-Gita (song
of God) is a part
of great epic Mahabharatha.
It has eighteen chapters.
In Bhagavadgita Lord
SriKrishna teaches
Arjuna in the middle
of the war field.
It is very strange
that one of the greatest
spiritual works i.e.
Bhagavad-Gita was
taught in the middle
of war field.
Bhagavadgita is a
very popular scripture
in India. Hundreds
of commentaries were
written on Gita. In
Bhagavad Gita Lord
SriKrishna teaches
four main divisions
of Yoga. Although
aim of these Yogas
are same, they are
told so as to suite
the intrinsic nature
or dominent nature
of a Sadhaka or practitioner
of Yoga.
They
are
- Karmayoga:
Karma means work.
Karmayoga means
Yoga through work.
Yoga is the skill
in work. Yogah
karmasu kaushalam(Yoga
is skill in work)
- Jnanayoga:
Jnana means knowledge.
Jnanayoga means
Yoga through knowledge.
- Rajayoga:
The Yoga
through control
of mind
- Bhaktiyoga:
The Yoga of devotion
 The
word yoga means "unity"
or "oneness"
derives from the Sanskrit
word "yoga" which
means to join. Yoga
is a means of balancing
and harmonizing the
body, mind and emotions.
The yoga postures
or asanas exercise
every part of body
they work not only
on the body frame
but also on the internal
organs, glands and
nerves as well, keeping
all system in radiant
health.
The one aspect of
human mind is that
it seldom rests as
it never remains fixed
on a single subject
or object. Mind is
just thinking, thinking,
and thinking, and
wandering in a boundary
less expanse. To achieve
concentration is the
major goal in yoga
a state in which the
mind is constantly
undergoing modification.
Physical and mental
therapy is one of
the most important
achievements of yoga
bringing holistic
harmony to mind and
body.
What we know of today,
as handed down by
our forefathers, many
of the yogasanas (postures)
are named after and
reflect the movements
of different animals.
Through observation
our forefathers understood
how animals live in
harmony with their
particular postures
and how the hormonal
secretions could be
stimulated and controlled
by it. This is done
through the practice
of asana (the physical
exercise), pranayama
(the breathing technique),
and mudra (position
of gesture) which
represents the psychic
bandhan (locks for
channeling energy).
The word yoga - unity
or joining - has also
been described in
spiritual term as
the harmonious union
of Shiva (the supreme
consciousness) with
his consort the Shakti
(energy) and this
is the central theme
of yoga the unification
called Shiva-Shakti.
Besides achieving
the general wellness,
Yoga serves well being
of society and humanity,
as scores of ailments
are possible to be
cured by following
the tenets of Yoga.
This can be opted
as single or as a
combination of Ayurveda,
Yoga and Meditation
in India, as overall
package to enjoy travel
tourism in India.
 Practicing
Yoga and meditation
are not just key techniques
to unwind you. They
can be opted to channelize
your mind, rejuvenate
your soul and keep
your body fit. It
is in the coordination
of the three: body,
soul and mind that
the perfect state
of composure can be
attained. Yoga clubs
the rhythm of the
body with the melody
of the mind and the
harmony of the soul,
to create symphony
of life. The term
Yoga is perhaps linked
to the English word
'Yoke'. Probably Yoga
means to 'yoke' the
body, mind and soul
together. The practice
of Yoga aims at uniting
the three. Yoga originated
way back in the 4th
century BC.
A sage, Patanjali,
put forward yoga as
a system of philosophy.
The common form of
Yoga is also referred
to as the Ashtang
Yoga, which comprises
of eight basic features
namely Yama, Niyama,
Asana, Pranayama,
Pratayahara, dharna,
dhayan and samadhi.
Each feature has its
own significance.
Yama promotes the
universal disciplines
of truth, self-control,
non-violence, non-stealing
and non-greed. The
second feature, Niyama,
endorses human values
of contentment, self-study,
penance, cleanliness
and surrender to God.
Asanas are the various
yogic postures that
are to be performed
to keep the body fit
and fine. The management
of the breath is covered
under the aspect of
Pranayama. The feature
of Pratayahara is
practiced to compose
the mind and alienate
oneself from the five
senses. Dharna and
Dhyan are about concentrating
and meditating and
the final aspect of
Samadhi refers to
the ultimate state
of oneness with God.
India has been the
land of saints and
sages who meditated
and practiced yoga.
The spiritual city
of Rishikesh happens
to be the Yoga capital
of India. Tourists
and travelers flock
to contemplate and
practice Yoga and
meditation in the
lap of Himalayas.
The city hosts the
International Yoga
Week every year in
the month of February
attracting several
experts and participants.
The trip to Rishikesh
is incomplete without
the visit to the Glasshouse
on the Ganges, which
was once a private
garden retreat of
Maharaja of Tehri
Garhwal. |
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