The International Yoga Day was celebrated on the 21st of June this year, much like all the other years. It involved many eventful celebrations, which included the launch of the m Yoga App by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Yoga which originated in ancient India has now become massively popular globally. One good reason for its popularity is owing to the many benefits that the practice of Yoga brings with it. But if we are to derive the full benefits of Yoga, which the Yogis of ancient India developed, we must have a deep understanding of the subject.
What is Yoga all about?
When we think about Yoga, we generally think about the various yogic postures and their physical side. Though this is a branch it, which comes under what is known as “Hatha Yoga.” But the actual practice of Yoga goes beyond its physical side. It is about the development of the body and the mind and is about connecting with our soul. It is seen that most of us are accustomed to look outside ourselves for fulfillment. What we have to realize is that nothing external can fully fulfill what we seek. Through their findings in early times, the ancient rishis discovered that through a state of quietude in our mind, we could touch a level of true joy and understanding. We often assume that it is impossible to achieve this state of our consciousness. The ancient spiritual science of Yoga offers the direct means of stilling our turbulent thoughts and restlessness of body which prevents us from realizing who we are.
In other words, Yoga is the simple process wherein we reverse the outward flow of energy and consciousness. It empowers the mind to become a dynamic center of direct perception of who we are. It enables us to experience truth.
The true meaning of the term “Yoga.”
The word Yoga means getting a union. It is about the actions that we undertake to enable our individual consciousness unites with the universal consciousness or spirit. As already pointed out, most people think of Yoga only in terms of physical exercises and specific asanas and postures. It is, in some ways, a superficial aspect of the profound science of unlocking the infinite human potential that often lies deep within.
Yoga: The different forms
There are various paths of Yoga, each of which is a specialized branch of one comprehensive system. Hatha Yoga is a system that deals primarily with physical postures, whose higher purpose is to purify the body. Apart from this, Karma Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Gyana Yoga, and Raja Yoga. At the heart of Raja Yoga, there are the scientific methods of meditation that enable us to perceive the great joy which lies within each one of us.
No matter what form of Yoga you practice, it is vital that you do so under the training of an expert in the field to make the progress you seek.
Breath & Mind: The close connection
You would often realize that our mind is tough for us to control. But to do so, we need to bring in stillness. The Rishis of ancient India realized in the past that there is a close connection between the mind and our breath. We are usually not aware of our breath. But you would notice that when we are excited, we breathe faster, which is the source of all our disturbance. Thus, to reach of state of mental calmness, we must gain control over our breath. Once we are aware of our breath and breathe in specific ways through “Pranayama,” a yogic technique, our breath becomes calmer, and with it, our mind becomes calm. It is a state that can not be forced. And must be achieved naturally. Yoga is therefore also about breath control and calming the mind.
The need for Yoga in these chaotic times
With the outbreak of the second wave of the COVID19 CORONA Virus pandemic, we are going through the most stressful times. It is a time when most of us are living in fear. It is crucial under such difficult times to stay calm and composed amidst all the pandemonium. Here is where Yoga can help in a big way. We can use it to stay both physically and mentally healthy.
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