Introduction of Yoga

What does Yoga Means?

Yoga is the primary basis of Indian philosophy and culture. Yoga is not the name of any complex and artificial practice, but it is the name of that style of life that should be there naturally in every human being. According to Indian mythology, Yoga means unite (additions), so Yoga is the combination of two things i.e. the joining of the soul with God. According to Indian Vedas and Puranas, sages were explorers/scientists and were accomplished and enlightened persons. Maharishi Patanjali is called the father of yoga, he discovered such art that by adopting it in our life we can touch that highest peak of our life for which we were born in this human form. Now in today’s era, we can understand it in this way according to physics, the whole world is a form of cosmic energy. What we see is visible energy and what we don't see is invisible energy. So if our body is a part of visual energy which drives our body is invisible energy. So according to Indian Vedas/Upnishads, the prime goal of a human being is to joining of our invisible energy (Soul) with cosmic energy(Parmatma/God) this is called Moksha.

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 Types of Yoga

According to “Dattatreya Yogshastra” and “Yograj Upanishad” there are four types of yogas and in “Yog Tatvopnishad” these four are given below:-

1. Mantra yoga

Mantra yoga is a form of meditation that focuses on chanting sacred sounds along with conscious breathing and a meditative focus to calm the mind, build spiritual energy, and reach states of enlightenment. Mantra chanting is thought to be one of the easiest and most powerful ways to meditate.

2. Layayoga

Always meditating on God while doing daily activities is Layyoga.

3. Hathyoga

Purifying the body and concentrating the mind through the practice of Various Postuers, Pranayama and Bandhas are called Hathayoga.

4. Raj Yoga

Doing the practice of Yama, and Niyama and making the mind calmer by interviewing the luminous soul is called raj yoga.

Other than this in Bhagwat Geeta, there is a detailed description of Dhyan Yog, Sankhya yoga, and Karma yoga. 

But here we will talk about Patanjali Ashtangyog. When we look at the Vedas and Shastras, we conclude that all the measures and methods that were prevalent in the field of spiritual practice, of them, were designated by the name of Yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is the path propounded by Maharishi Patanjali. This is not related to any nation, religion, or region it is how every single person in the world can walk with complete freedom, without fear, and can get complete happiness, peace, and joy in life. Ashtanga Yoga incorporates the greatest spiritual states, including meditation and samadhi, into the everyday practice of life. Ashtanga Yoga consists of the eight limbs listed below:-

S. No.	Limbs	Abbreviated Description
1	Yama	There are 5 Yams: 1.      Ahinsa:-  Nonviolence 2.      Satya:-    Truth 3.      Astey:-    Give up greediness and be patient with what you get 4.      Brahmcharya: - Celibacy 5.      Aparigreh:-       Abstinence
2	Niyama	There are 5 Niyams: 1.      Shauch:- Detoxification of the body by using some yogic actions 2.      Santosh:- Gratification 3.      Tup:-Persistence 4.      Svadhyay:- Self-Cultivation 5. Ishwar Pranidhan:- Gratefulness(i.e. everything is happening by the grace of god)
3	Aasana	Posture
4	Pranayam	Conscious Breathing
5	Pratyahara	Command on Senses Organ
6	Dharna	Concentration
7	Dhyan	Meditation
8	Samadhi	Union of Soul with (God/Paramatma)or Pure Contemplation

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10 Incredible Benefits of Yoga

Today, we are deprived of inner happiness and fulfillment even after obtaining numerous external pleasures because of our opulent lifestyle. Therefore, by adopting various processes of yoga, we can awaken the powers within us and lead a meaningful, healthy, and blissful life. There are various advantages to practicing yoga, but some significant advantages are listed below. 

1. By doing these compound activities, our latent consciousness develops and dead cells are reborn.
2. Helps to improve our nerve systems, which allows for better blood circulation and the emergence of fresh energy.
3. With proper blood circulation, the arteries and veins become healthy.
4. It helps to improve posture and flexibility and strength of bones and joints.
5. Glandular activity is stimulated and regulated properly
6. The digestive system becomes completely healthy due to which the whole body becomes healthy, light, and refreshing.
7. Cardiac issues and other illnesses can be controlled
8. Maintains body weight, which makes the body attractive and shaped.
9. Respiratory Organs become efficient and various diseases such as cough, asthma, and cancer of the trachea can be prevented.
10. Helps in stress relief which Improves sleep quality.
11. Yoga Practice Promotes Greater Awareness.

Rules of Yoga

• Timings: Yogasanas can be done both in the morning and in the evening, if you cannot do both, then morning is the best. The mind remains calm in the morning, so it can be done on an empty stomach in the morning or in the evening after about 5 to 6 hours after lunch. 

• Place: The ideal environment for yogasanas is clean, quiet, and secluded. If there was enough oxygen in the air near the trees and open spaces, it would be beneficial for health.

• Outfits: Yoga practitioners should wear loose, comfortable clothing.

• Aasanas & Their Quantity: For lying on the ground, a soft carpet or blanket is appropriate. Never should do it on the open ground. Yoga should be practiced in accordance with your physical stamina. One hour of complete exercise, 30 minutes of the medium, and 15 minutes of brief exercise. Each person should do yoga for at least 30 minutes.

• Law of Breathing: The general rule when performing asanas is to breathe in while bending forward and exhale while bending backward. It is preferable to breathe through the nostrils rather than the mouth.

• Order of Doing Aasanas: If a pose turns to the right, then it should also turn to the left. In addition, make sure the asanas are arranged in a manner that the muscles and joints are worked in a direction that is counter to each one that comes after it. For Example, Matsyasana should be done after Sarvangasana, Ustrasana after Mandukasana.

• Start your first yoga practice under the guidance of a certified yoga instructor or can take the help of YouTube videos.

• Not everyone can do every asana. Therefore, we should pick some of these asanas for ourselves based on our physical capabilities, which we can easily practice for a long period.

When not to do yoga

• After meal
• A person suffering from joint pains, spinal column problems, and some difficulty in movement should be avoiding some asanas.
• A person has some injuries anywhere in the body.
• Individuals who have recently undergone abdominal surgery should also avoid Yogasans for some time.
• The individuals who suffer from peptic ulcer, hernia, or hypothyroidism.
• Ladies during periods up to 4-5 days avoid asanas and Pregnant ladies – If pregnancy with complex. (Can do Only conscious breathing/Pranayam Anulom Vilom )
• Avoid when you suffer from high or low blood pressure and also from migraine.

Individuals suffering from the above diseases/injuries should perform yoga only under expert guidance. As you will start with proper guidance you will be cured of the above injuries/diseases and live a normal life. 

I've made an effort to clarify some fundamental yoga facts and goals for you in the text above. In fact, once you get going and make this a part of your daily routine it will help you become physically and psychologically powerful.