Yoga
Yoga and Ayurveda evolved from the same Vedic philosophy and hence are regarded as sister sciences. Ayurveda is a science for a healthy life whereas Yoga is a science for connecting of the individual self to the Universal self.
Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the root word “Yuja” meaning Unite. It is the union of physical body to the spiritual being.
Yogah Chitta Vrutti Nirodhaha |
Yoga is all about restraining the mind from desires and directing it towards the spiritual path.
Acharya Patanjali is the father of Yoga and has described different means to attain the four main goals of life
Yoga is aimed at guiding a person towards the spiritual path to ultimately attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Generally, when the word “yoga” is associated with different Asanas – Postures. But yoga is not only limited to postures but is also a science of achieving physical, mental and spiritual union. Further, the various postures gives strength to body to achieve balance and control the mind to direct it towards spiritual path.
There are different ways of yoga to follow the spiritual path.
Ashtanga Yoga
Acharya Patanjali has described 8 steps to attain ultimate liberation i.e. Moksha termed Ashtanga Yoga.
Yama – These are the 5 principles of abstinence.
Niyama – These are the 5 rules to follow
Asana – Different postures
Pranyama – It is the breathing technique used to control breath/Prana (Vital force)
Pratyahara – Withdrawal of mind from different senses
Dharana – Focusing mind, concentrating mind
Dhyana – Meditation
Samadhi – Merging consciousness with the object of meditation
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is a very well known branch of yoga. Ha means Sun and Tha means Moon. Here Sun represents the muscular energy and moon represents the feminine energy in our body. Hatha yoga is about balancing these energies within the body.
Yogi Swatmarama compiled the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in 15th century CE, which is the best source for Hatha yoga.
Karma Yoga
This was described by Lord Shri Krishna to the Warrior Prince Arjuna in Shirmad Bhagavad Gita, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Karma means action. This Yoga describes the way to salvation through one’s actions.
Jnana Yoga
Lord Shri Krishna described this in Shirmad Bhagavad Gita. Jnana means knowledge. It is the learning how to gain control over one’s mind.
Raja Yoga
It is a type of yoga that focuses on meditation to achieve higher stages of consciousness.
Bhakti Yoga
Lord Shri Krishna described this in Shirmad Bhagavad Gita. Bhakti means worship or offer prayers. One can achieve liberation by offering prayers to God.
Copyright © 2014 Ayurveda Amritvani. All Rights Reserved.
Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the root word “Yuja” meaning Unite. It is the union of physical body to the spiritual being.
Yogah Chitta Vrutti Nirodhaha |
Yoga is all about restraining the mind from desires and directing it towards the spiritual path.
Acharya Patanjali is the father of Yoga and has described different means to attain the four main goals of life
- Dharma – Honor
- Artha – Money
- Kama – Desires
- Moksha – Liberation
Yoga is aimed at guiding a person towards the spiritual path to ultimately attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Generally, when the word “yoga” is associated with different Asanas – Postures. But yoga is not only limited to postures but is also a science of achieving physical, mental and spiritual union. Further, the various postures gives strength to body to achieve balance and control the mind to direct it towards spiritual path.
There are different ways of yoga to follow the spiritual path.
Ashtanga Yoga
Acharya Patanjali has described 8 steps to attain ultimate liberation i.e. Moksha termed Ashtanga Yoga.
Yama – These are the 5 principles of abstinence.
- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Satya (truth)
- Asteya (non-covetousness)
- Brahmacharya (celibacy), and
- Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
Niyama – These are the 5 rules to follow
- Shaucha (purity)
- Santosha (contentment)
- Tapas (austerity)
- Svadhyaya (study of the Vedic scriptures to know about God and the soul), and
- Ishvara-Pranidhana (surrender to God)
Asana – Different postures
Pranyama – It is the breathing technique used to control breath/Prana (Vital force)
Pratyahara – Withdrawal of mind from different senses
Dharana – Focusing mind, concentrating mind
Dhyana – Meditation
Samadhi – Merging consciousness with the object of meditation
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is a very well known branch of yoga. Ha means Sun and Tha means Moon. Here Sun represents the muscular energy and moon represents the feminine energy in our body. Hatha yoga is about balancing these energies within the body.
Yogi Swatmarama compiled the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in 15th century CE, which is the best source for Hatha yoga.
Karma Yoga
This was described by Lord Shri Krishna to the Warrior Prince Arjuna in Shirmad Bhagavad Gita, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Karma means action. This Yoga describes the way to salvation through one’s actions.
Jnana Yoga
Lord Shri Krishna described this in Shirmad Bhagavad Gita. Jnana means knowledge. It is the learning how to gain control over one’s mind.
Raja Yoga
It is a type of yoga that focuses on meditation to achieve higher stages of consciousness.
Bhakti Yoga
Lord Shri Krishna described this in Shirmad Bhagavad Gita. Bhakti means worship or offer prayers. One can achieve liberation by offering prayers to God.
Copyright © 2014 Ayurveda Amritvani. All Rights Reserved.
