| Yoga is seeking and discovering the universal reality, | | | | realization. |
| following a set of physical and mental exercises. This | | | | Taking up all the eight limbs of yoga will provide you |
| truth is revealed when there is complete harmony and | | | | with a composure that is denied while running from |
| peace between body, mind and spirit. In Sanskrit, the | | | | one errand to the next in routine life. You will be able to |
| word yoga is derived from 'yog' which means yoke or | | | | look at all features of life; joy and misery, sickness and |
| to join. More contemporary rewards of yoga are | | | | health, pleasure and pain, affluence and depravity; with |
| accomplishing physical beauty, youth and vitality that | | | | calmness and acceptance. Yoga instructs you on how |
| make it so popular. Yoga is not a new concept; its | | | | to be and how to act. It has a universal appeal as you |
| roots can be followed up to 5,000 years back. It was | | | | are always welcome to use your own theology to |
| first developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization of | | | | guide you to the elevated levels of performance. If you |
| Northern India. In the Vedas, one of the oldest Hindu | | | | believe that yoga is only an exercise, means to having |
| sacred texts, yoga was mentioned. Later, priests | | | | a fit body, then you are wrong! Yoga is a complete |
| modified and documented their practices of yoga; its | | | | discipline, it first tones and shapes you physically since |
| present, organized presentation through 'yoga sutras' | | | | a weak body prevents development of the spirit. Once |
| came much later. Yoga was brought to the West | | | | your body acquires perfection, stamina and strength, |
| about 300 years ago. All ancient and modern | | | | spiritual growth will start till equanimity of all elements is |
| practitioners believe that the eight limbs of yoga | | | | accomplished. |
| soothe the frayed mind and make us use our creative | | | | You can gain from any of the six branches of yoga. |
| energy productively. | | | | Hatha yoga uses physical postures, breathing |
| Yoga students learn yama or self-discipline; it enables | | | | techniques and meditation. This is the most familiar and |
| them to avoid violence, theft and having unreasonable | | | | popular branch of yoga in the West. Bhagti yoga is |
| desires. Niyama insists on leading a clean and pure life; | | | | about dedication and devotion to the creator. Its |
| a life of severity and being satisfied with little worldly | | | | practitioners see Divine power in everything and feel |
| goods. It is also a kind of living when you are | | | | themselves to be a part of it. Raja yoga teaches |
| knowledgeable about the Divine power. Asanas are | | | | self-control. Jnana or yoga of the mind aims to unite |
| the variety of postures or physical exercises. Breathing | | | | the wisdom and intellect. Yoga of service, Karma |
| exercises or pranayama is another limb. Drawing into | | | | develops selflessness in soul. Tantra yoga is adopting |
| oneself is known as pratyahara. Focusing the mind to | | | | a set of rituals; its followers must be pure, humble, |
| a central point is called dharana. Meditative practice is | | | | devoted and truthful. |
| dhyana and samadhi is to achieve the sublime | | | | |