A brief survey of Yoga: History of Yoga, Yoga practices and forms, and the benefits of Yoga

A Short briefing on Yoga practices      

       The word Yoga derives from the Sanskrit word 'yog.' It signifies the binding of the mind with the body through the discipline of the senses. The first book of Yoga, the Bhagavad-Gita, which is an excerpt taken from one of the most ancient sacred scriptures known to man, the Mahabharata, relates on how Lord Krishna instructed the greatest form of yoga (a transcendental form of yoga known as Karma Yoga) to his devotee, cousin and friend, Arjuna. The Lord advises that one should let go of irrelevant materialistic presences from this age of Kali (Kali Yuga.) Therefore, the Lord vividly recommends the practice of Yoga as it is crucial to liberating one from all miseries originating from our material world.

    The history of modern Yoga begins with the enlightening knowledge spread by the Great Indian sage, Patanjali. The latter instructed Yoga so that it serves as spiritual and philosophical guide to all humans. Swami Patanjali presented eight such Yoga Sutras which are the basic forms of Yoga(along with their sub-roots) destined to fulfilling the entire requirements of all yogis. As such, Yoga is the direct means through which human beings free themselves from materialistic bondage that creates chaotic effects upon their physical and spiritual well-being.

The Asana Yoga (Yogic Postures)

The eight forms of Yoga (The 8 pillars of Yoga) are as follows:

1) Pranayama Yoga (Yoga of Breathing)

2) Yama Yoga (Yoga of restraints)

3) Asana Yoga (Yoga of Postures)

4) Niyama Yoga (Yoga of Observances)

5) Pratyahara Yoga (Yoga of Withdrawal of senses)

6) Dharana Yoga (Yoga of Concentration)

7) Samadhi Yoga (Yoga of Absorption)

8) Dhyana Yoga (Yoga of Meditation)

          

Some more Asana Yoga (Yogic Postures)