Physical Living Post #1: What is Yoga?
When I first invested in my physical health, I was graceful with myself. Took as many breaks as I needed and sought out female experts online to follow. It's been quite a journey- about 3 years now- and I've come a long way. High impact sports were too rough for me (it's only now that I'm considering running), so I had moved from high Intensity Interval Trainings (HIIT) and the like, and went for something I more naturally aligned with: yoga.
And for at least half a year, I used yoga as my exercise, or movement, activity for the days. I slowly built the discipline and internal inclination to return to the mat and my time with my body. I used it to build a habit of mobility building, strength building, bodily exploration and awareness, and play.
Yoga is an ancient practice with various postures that make up its foundation with benefits ranging from the bodily to the psychological and philosophical. The increase in well-being is an explicit part of yoga’s purpose and goal and involves focusing on breath and movement; that is, movements of physical strength and flexibility. Underneath “yoga” are disciplines, or elements, involving the physical, mental, and spiritual.
However, from last year, I shifted to pilates- which seemed quite similar- but was spiritually neutral. I did so due to my lack of understanding Yoga's Vedic roots and Indian spirituality sources. As a spiritual practitioner myself, Christian, to be specific, I chose to disengage completely rather than half-heartedly partake and substitute "the Supreme Being" or "the Force" for Yahweh, my God, and his Spirit, during my meditative movements and bodily exercises. It was an act of respect to its origin story and my own deity due to being ignorant about yoga.
I thought: Better safe than sorry!
Now, I want to share what I have learned about yoga, and why I will return to it in due time!
Yoga: Origins and Meaning
The definition depends on the philosophy in question, or the era of literature one is reading. This word "yoga" can be found in works from the Rigveda era (since around 1500 BCE), and into later Vedic works like the Brahmanas. Some of the definitions included "achieving the unachieved," "harnessing," "controlling," "yoking," "connection" and so forth.
Yogya is presumed to be an old Aryan word used in later Sanskrit literature of the Upanishads as well. Yoga was documented while being refined and developed by sages called Rishis in the Upanishads and these writings consisted of their beliefs and practices. It is important to note that the original language of yoga is Sanskrit. So many names of yoga poses, or asanas, will be in Sanskrit or transliterated terms.
The summative meaning behind yoga is the metaphor of one reigning their senses consciously. It's about building the skill of being in control of one's bodily senses and mind as one does a bow's stretch or a wild horse. Beyond this, there are as many interpretations as there are schools or forms of yoga. Some involve focusing on unity with the Supreme Being, explicitly. Others focus on joining the breath and mindful meditation. And others focus on the unity of the senses, mind, and breath via removal of all sensual, or worldly knowledge, or Bhava (e.g. emotional attachments, reaction tendencies, habits, etc).
So where can yoga be found over the thousands of years since its conception? Now, it has been adapted to global localities and 19 different types of yoga can be noted. Yoga is among the 6 schools of philosophy in Hinduism and in Buddhism it is a major part of practice alongside its own meditations.
Elements of Yoga
There are a few disciplines or elements of yoga and the categorization of the yoga practice can be influenced by the teacher or school of thought in question. Mantras, for example, may not be used in all yoga practices. These are the repetitive sounds used to adjust the vibration of one’s being, or to penetrate the depths of the unconscious mind. Mantras can be chanted, listened to, or merely thought of.
They can be thought of as a meditative cue, and are typically in Sanskrit.
The root of the word is “man” (to think) and “tra” from “trai” (to protect/free from bondage). Conclusively, mantra is meant to protect, or free, the mind from bondage during practice.
Swami Vishnudevananda’s 5 Basic Principles of Yoga
Swami Vishnudevananda is one of the teachers who brought yoga to the global audience. He is noted to consider the lifestyle needs of his locality and teach from that informed state of mind. As a result, the adapted wisdom resulted in the following 5 principles of yoga:
Āsana: Proper Exercise
Prānāyāma: Proper Breathing
Savāsana: Proper Relaxation
Vegetarianism: Proper Diet
Vedānta and Dhyāna: Positive Thinking and Meditation
Translating…
Asana: traditionally, it is "the seated posture" in meditation; from Sanskrit meaning "seat"
"Although asana is now the most popular aspect of yoga, it is considered to be only one small part of the tradition of yoga as a whole.... Asana practice is considered important since it helps to keep the physical body healthy. Since the body is the vehicle for the soul, looking after the physical body is vital for spiritual development".
(Yogapedia)
Pranayama: derived from Sanskrit roots; prana meaning “vital life force,” yama meaning “control'' and ayama meaning “extension/expansion.” The breath is symbolic of prana, and pranayama can be understood as methods to extend and expand vital life force energy through the deliberate control of breathwork
"Not only does pranayama have the potential to steady the mind, but the practice has far-reaching physiological benefits such as increased heart rate variability, improved oxygen saturation and overall re-balancing of the nervous system".
(Yogapedia)
Savasana: common at end or start of sequences to relax and integrate the movements of that session. “[In] both Sivananda and Yoga Therapy it is sometimes practiced between postures in order to calm the nervous system” (Yogapedia). Derived from shava, meaning "corpse"; asana meaning "seat" or "posture".
Vedanta: from veda, meaning “knowledge,” and anta, meaning “end.” May be read as “the end goal of Vedic literature.” Denote someone with mastery of the four classical Vedas, and hence has the knowledge that will lead to their freedom/liberation as a soul. “The term is sometimes used to describe Indian philosophy in general” (Yogapedia).
“Vedanta is a philosophy which emphasizes the harmony of all religions. It teaches that all beings are members of a single family and any apparent differences are just superficial. The supreme Soul is within everyone, and one form of worship is to recognize the Divine in all beings…. The core teaching of Vedanta is to experience one’s true nature: the individual soul as a part of the universal or supreme Soul…. Understanding that the individual soul is limitless and all-pervasive brings about the direct experience of this reality”.
(Yogapedia)
Dhyana: means “meditation,” from root words dhi meaning “the mind/receptacle” and yana, meaning “moving/going”. Dhyai is an alternative root meaning “to think of”. It’s a refined meditative practice calling for deep concentration and which can be done only after completing preparatory exercises.
Yoga Sutras of Maharishi Pantanjali
These Sutras are one of the classical works that make up the foundation of yogic philosophy, history, and practice. Below is the 8-Fold Path of Ashtanga Yoga, a classical form of yoga.
Bahiranga Yoga Sadhana: The External
1st Fold: Yama- One’s Entire Value System
2nd Fold: Niyama- One’s Personal Disciplines
3rd Fold: Asana- One’s Physical Posture/Movement
4th Fold: Pranayama: One’s Breath(work)
Antaranga Yoga: The Internal
5th Fold: Pratyahara- The Bridge; The Move Towards One’s True Inner Self
6th Fold: Dharana- One's Concentration Practice
7th Fold: Dyana- One's Meditation Practice
8th Fold Path: Samadhi- One’s Concentrated State of Being
Translating…
Yama: “bridle/rein”, boundaries and outer behavioral codes to attain healthy and ethical living
Niyama: similar to prior Fold of Yama, except it focuses more on the vital internal “observances” or “duties” in yogic philosophy of living. Applying elements of Yama to the person’s own mind, body, and spirit to foster positive internal strength, clarity, and discipline.
Asana: (View Above)
Pranayama: (View Above)
Pratyahara: Control over one’s senses, moving focus inwards, Vital preceding Fold before Inner Elements of Yoga can be practiced, “withdrawal of the senses”, Roots words of prati meaning “against/withdraw” and ahara meaning “food/external consumption”. Fold of practicing to connect with inner reality and better attain self-realization and understanding of the influence senses, thoughts, and feelings have on lived experiences.
Dharana: Concentration
Dyana: (View Above) Meditation, Builds on prior Folds
Samadhi: Absorption/Enlightenment/Bliss, Once all Folds are engaged samyama is reached; a state of full detachment from the world and complete union in meditation to their Self.
Conclusions and Reminders
Learned anything new? I did!
After understanding that yoga is focused on positive development in the mind and body- with no mysticisms attached, or a single particular religious doctrine- though there are plenty of religious or spiritual systems which have their own yoga practices- I’m excited to jump back into it! Yoga is holistic in nature and a complex practice as it touches on the physical, intellectual, spiritual, and mental/emotional health of an individual.
As a lifestyle, its goal is developing the practitioner to be able to balance themselves in body, mind, and spirit. Self-realization and empowerment are its key tracks. This may result in changes in values, motivations, habits, and attitudes.
Feel free to find the yoga practice that fits your age and physical abilities! Have fun and practice safely (or with an instructor!)! I wish you all a fruitful and healing journey of play and learning with your bodies.
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