What is
Yoga?
Yoga is
a state of mind and way of life, a discipline and philosophy
that originated in India many thousands of years ago. The word
itself is Sanskrit and means union. It is the oldest system
of personal development known, and works to unite and achieve
the full potential of the body, mind and spirit. Many people
are first drawn to yoga as a way to keep their body fit and supple
and to relax their mind. Those who delve deeper and continue
with regular practice notice positive changes in their approach
to life, for, through purifying the body and stilling the mind,
an inner peace can be found.
Although yoga might appear a series of simple stretching exercises, the ultimate
goal of yoga is to achieve ‘samadhi’, the experience of oneness and
of inner peace. What is commonly referred to in the western world as ‘yoga’ can
be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word ‘asana’, which
refers to the practice of physical postures that strengthen, purify and heal
the body.
Asana is only one of the ‘eight
limbs’ of yoga, the remaining seven are more concerned with
mental and spiritual well being rather than physical activity.
However, many Westerners find that practising the asanas and ‘pranayama’ (breathing
techniques) alone bring about profound positive changes that counteract
the feelings of disconnection and dissatisfaction in an increasingly
stressful, complex world. |
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