YOGA - The Introduction
Remember V. Nanammal? She was India's oldest yoga teacher. She had trained one million students over 45 years and 600 of her students have become yoga instructors around the world. When a person in her late 80's and early 90's could practice and perform yoga like a pro, what stops us (the so-called younger generation) from taking up Yoga?? Well, I have been practicing Ashtanga yoga for more than a year now, and I am bringing you a series of posts on My Experiments with YOGA.
Short note on Indian Philosophy
The philosophical traditions of the Indian subcontinent are centuries old. The main schools were formalized chiefly between 1000 BCE and the early centuries of the Common Era. The texts of Indian philosophies include extensive discussions on ontology (metaphysics, Brahman-Atman, Sunyata-Anatta), reliable means of knowledge (epistemology, Pramanas), value system (axiology), etc.
What is Yoga?
It is an ancient Indian Philosophy, that is considered to be at least 5000-years old. It combines the elements from spiritual as well as a scientific discipline and embodies the unity of mind and body; thought and action. It seeks to establish harmony between man and nature. As per the words of our honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi, "Yoga is a holistic approach to health and wellness".
In short, Yoga is an ancient Indian practice to nourish and balance life with physical, mental, and emotional health.
Origins of Yoga
The Sanskrit noun योग yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj (युज्) "to attach, join, harness, yoke". It dates way back to the Indus Valley Civilisation - the Pashupati seal depicts a figure in a position resembling an asana used for meditation, Mulabandhasana. It finds mention in the Rigveda, and also referenced in the Upanishads. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali date from the 4th century BCE. The ultimate goal of Yoga is Moksha (liberation), and in the classical Astanga yoga system, the ultimate goal of yoga practice is to achieve the state of Samadhi and abide in that state as pure awareness. Surya Namaskar is known as the most common Yoga practise and we will read about it later.
Literary Texts on Yoga
Keśin hymn 10.136 of the Rigveda
The earliest evidence of Yogis and Yoga tradition is found
(orally transmitted since the 2nd millennium BCE - composed around 1700-1000 BCE).
(Yoga is the calming down the fluctuations/patterns of consciousness)
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (sometime between 500 BCE and 400 CE by the sage Patanjali)
"Yoga is skill in action"
"Be equal minded in both success and failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga"
- Bhagavad Gita (dated to the first millennium BCE, composed around 200 BCE)
The Motto of IAS: योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्
"Yoga implies Excellence at Work"
Swami Vivekananda spelled out the four pathways of attaining moksha in his books - Raja-yoga, Karma-yoga, Jnana-yoga, and Bhakti-yoga.
Explanatory video
For a deep yet brief explanation on Yoga, watch a simplified video (7 minutes).
Yoga Gurus
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya: (Mysore)
Known as ‘Father of Modern Yoga’. He is the architect of Vinyasa and the primary mind behind the revival of ‘Hatha Yoga’. He mixed Ayurveda and Yoga proportionately to restore health. He is said to have control over his heartbeat and is believed to have mastered the art of holding his beat as well.
B K S Iyengar: (Karnataka)
He is a student of T Krishnamacharya and the founder of "Iyengar Yoga". He is said to be the man behind popularising yoga abroad. He was awarded Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
K Pattabhi Jois:
His type is the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga - based on an ancient text Yoga Korunta.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi:
He perfected in transcendental meditation technique which attracted the popular American band Beatles. The mantra meditation is practiced with closed eyes.
Paramahansa Yogananda:
He popularised Kriya Yoga in the West. It emphasises uniting with the infinite through a certain action known as Kriya.
Swami Sivananda:
Though Doctor by profession, he is a saint known for Yoga of Trinity - an amalgamation of Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Master Yoga.
Sri Aurobindo:
He is an Indian nationalist, philosopher, and poet who developed Integral Yoga (transformation of our narrow and fragmentary human way of thinking, feeling, and being into a deep and wide spiritual consciousness and an integrated inner and outer existence and of our ordinary human living into the divine way of life). His book The Life Divine and Synthesis of Yoga deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of Internal Yoga.
Yogiraj Shri Vethathiri Maharishi:
A spiritual leader, world peace activist, scientist, philosopher, Ayurvedic, and homeopathic practitioner. He is the Founder-trustee of the World Community Service Center in 1958 in Chennai. His Theory of Universal Magnetism provides an alternative for the Big Bang theory and includes concepts of the evolution of atoms and God particles. He provided 14 principles for World Peace. He presented a blueprint at the UN for World Peace. He founded over 300 yoga centers around the world and wrote about 80 books, many of which became academic textbooks. Tamil Nadu approved to teach his Simplified Kundalini Yoga at Schools. He was declared the 19th Siddha by the Dravidian University.
Swami Kuvalayananda:
He is spiritually inclined and idealistic, at the same time, a strict rationalist. He sought scientific explanations for the various psychophysical effects of Yoga he experienced. Investigated the effects of the Yogic practices of uddiyana bandha and nauli on the human body with the help of some of his students in a laboratory at the State Hospital, Baroda.
Ravi Shankar:
An Indian spiritual leader, he is frequently referred to as "Sri Sri" (honorific), Guru ji, or Gurudev. He founded the Art of Living Foundation in 1981, a volunteer-based NGO providing social support to the people.
Baba Ramdev:
Known for the mass Yoga camps, he brought Yoga back to the mainstream through his watch and practice TV programmes. He co-founded Patanjali Ayurved Ltd.
Types of Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga:
Often referred to as Classical Yoga or Raja Yoga, it is mainly the type of Yoga outlined in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It proposes 8 limbs and the embodiment of mind and body is accomplished through a set of exercises, combined with specific breathing techniques and meditation principles. A detailed post on Ashtanga yoga is up for your kind reference.
Hatha Yoga:
Sanskrit word हठhaá¹ha = "force". It is the system of physical techniques; associated with Yogis of the Natha Sampradaya (Matsyendranath). The components are - Shatkarmas (purifications), Asanas (postures), Mudras (manipulations of vital energy), Pranayama (breath control). Hatha yoga texts began to emerge sometime between the 9th and 11th century with origins in tantra.
Kundalini Yoga:
Kundalini is the energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine until activated (by yoga) and channeled upward through chakras. It is believed as the power associated with the divine feminine. It is influenced by Shaktism and Tantra schools. It focuses on awakening kundalini energy through the regular practice of mantra, tantra, yantra, yoga, or meditation.
Bikram Yoga:
It is a form of hot yoga and consists of series of 26 postures practised in an environment of 40 °C.
Power Yoga:
It is any of the forms of energetic vinyasa-style yoga as exercise. There is a smooth transition between asanas in styles of modern yoga as exercise and the movements are paired with breath.
Laya yoga:
A form of Yoga in which dissolution of self and merging with Supreme Consciousness are achieved. Laya is a Sanskrit term meaning "dissolve." Laya yoga leads to samadhi, which is the highest unification with the Divine. It leads the mind from the state of manifestation and dissolution to moola Prakriti, meaning "original state." Though it may also be referred to as Kundalini yoga as it awakens the kundalini power, Laya yoga works from Sahasrara (crown chakra) at the top of the body and flows down through the lower chakras to awaken kundalini.
Aerial yoga:
A hybrid type of yoga developed by Michelle Dortignac in 2006 combines traditional yoga poses, pilates, and dance with a hammock (sling of fabric). The hammock acts like a swing supporting the hips for forward bends and backbends. Difficult mat-based yoga postures may prove easier to perform through aerial yoga, while the hammock's movement further contributes to adding variety to the aerial workout.
Yoga around the world
Yoga gained prominence in the west in the 20th century after being first introduced by Swami Vivekananda. Outside India, it has developed into a posture-based physical fitness, stress-relief, and relaxation technique. But in Indian traditions, it is more than physical exercise; it has a meditative and spiritual core. Yoga finds its place in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The International Day of Yoga is celebrated on 21st June every year, since 2014. Our Prime Minister, Shri. In his UN address, Narendra Modi suggested the date of 21 June, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga as exercise consists mainly of postures called asanas in a gentle form for relaxation. The physical benefits are: flexibility, improved muscle strength, uniform respiration, energy and vitality, balanced metabolism, weight reduction, corrected postures, improved cardio health, etc.
Eg: Back bone pain - Adho mukha svanasana (Downward facing dog); Marjaryasana (cat/cow pose); Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend); Salabhasana (Locust Pose); Trikonasana (Triangle Pose).
Yoga is also used as therapy for various medical conditions ranging from back pain to depression.
Yoga as a Sport in India
In 2015, Yoga was recognised & placed in the 'priority category' (part of Olympics, Asian Games, or Commonwealth Games but for Yoga, an exception was made). But in 2016, the decision was reversed. Finally, in Dec 2020, Yoga was formally declared as a SPORT together by AYUSH and the Sports ministry.
International Yogasana Sports Federation was set up under the presidentship of Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. National Yogasana Sport Federation of India is set up to preserve and develop yoga as a competitive sport (for future Khelo India games programme).
Several countries over the years have embraced yoga as a sport. Competitions where participants are evaluated based on grace, poise, stability, balance, relaxation, holding the breath, effortlessness, perfectness of posture, retention time, etc. It is believed that yoga competitions began hundreds of years ago in India. As we all know, immemorial yoga has been a way to improve people's physical and mental well-being of all ages and fitness levels. Yogasana as a sport will preserve India’s rich culture and heritage.
Keep your yoga spirit high and consistent with Yoga posters and wall stickers. So, why wait? Grab your Yoga mat, Get set, Go!!
Feel free to leave me a word in the comments section below.
With Gratitude,
Priyanga R Annadurai.
Priyanga R Annadurai.
You can reach out to me by filling the contact form.
Sources referred: Wikipedia
The Disclaimer!
Neither a teacher nor a student. Just a practitioner! 👈👉
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