What is Yoga

Yoga is a science of right living and as such is intended to be incorporated in daily life. It works on all aspects of an individual: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements.

The word yoga, is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, which wholly translated means “unity” or “oneness” with the Divine Supreme Creator. This unity or joining is described in spiritual terms as the union of the individual consciousness with universal consciousness. On a more practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonising the body, mind and emotions.

There are different forms of yoga namely: 1) Bhakti Yoga 2) Jnana Yoga 3) Karma Yoga 4) Raja Yoga. Though there are different forms of yoga, each one is technically a path of the whole in the different aspects of life. One path should not be practiced to the exclusion of others. One may be fundamentally be dominant in one area but supplementation of the other aspects of yoga is vital as well.

Bhakti Yoga

This essentially is the yoga of devotion. It is the channeling of emotions into devotion, directed towards God. In this way the emotions are given an outlet, instead of suppressing them or dissipating them into different directions. The bhakta absorbs himself completely in his object of devotion, losing his individuality or ego. Emotional and mental problems disappear, concentration increases and the path to higher awareness and self – realization is opened.

Jnana Yoga

This is the path of enquiry. It is not as so many people say the path of intellect. It attempts to transcend the limitations of the intellect or logical facilities of each individual. Higher awareness can never arise through rational thinking. Jnana yoga is the path towards illuminative knowledge. In this path one enquires about the essence of one’s true nature. Effort, concentration and total absorption in the enquiry are prerequisites for success in this path. Therefore, Jnana yoga is the yoga of knowledge—not knowledge in the intellectual sense—but the knowledge of God and the Soul and the realization of their unity. Realization of the truth.

Karma Yoga

This is the yoga of action, the system of attaining awareness through activity. It is the performance of our daily work with constant awareness and at the same time without any expectation of reward. It is the living in the present which enables a far more effective, efficient and powerful actions. By totally absorbing the self in work we tend to reduce the power of the ego. This is the essence of karma yoga and results in less emotional and mental upsets in life. It helps to make the mind calmer and more peaceful under any circumstances and more receptive to the practices of yoga. This can lead to meditation.

Raja Yoga

As a whole is comprised of eight parts, or limbs as prescribed by Sage Patanjali in his treatise of Ashtanga Yoga – literally meaning 8 limbs which consist of Yama and Niyama (Control, discipline and restraint), Asanas (Physical postures), Pranayama (Control of life force through breathing), Pratyahara (Withdrawal of senses), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation) and Samadhi (Eternal Bliss).

These aspects of yoga begin to work with the outermost areas of one’s personality, the physical body, which for most people is a practical and familiar starting point. Yama and Niyama are the foundation of the Raja Yoga and is a must for any true practitioner of yoga. Through the performance of asanas, being the physical exercises and pranayama ( the formal practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our prana, or vital life force) one aims to bring all the different bodily functions into perfect co – ordination and harmony so that they work for the good of the whole body and assist in maintaining optimum health. Pranayama is the perfect breathing exercise which increases the positive energy level in the body and removes toxins. Pranayama supplies more oxygen to the body and is the key to optimum health. Those practicing regularly, feel very energetic throughout the day.

From the physical body, Yoga then moves on to the mental and emotional levels, that of Pratyahara, Dharana and Dhyana. Many people, as a result of the current lifestyle with all its challenges, stresses and ill-health, are unable to cope mentally, and thus after disciplining themselves through the physical yogic practices which sets the platform, meditation then works on directing and strengthening the mind and linking the consciousness with the Divine. It works on overcoming the countless thoughts that plague the mind, and ultimately lead it to a directed, thoughtless state which is focused on the inner light alone, eventually merging with the greater cosmic light.

We must always remember that Yoga is not just a series of exercises or disciplines, but a way of life. It is one of our ancient treasures gifted to us by the Vedas through our wise Sages. Knowing and understanding that living in harmony with all that is around us is the key to our oneness with the Spirit, and the true essence of spirituality. It is the answer to all our challenges – and is not just here say, it is a science – a science leads us to Self-Realisation