Introduction
Yoga is spiritual religious patience based on a very deep science, which addresses achieving harmony between mind and body. Yoga is both an art and a science for living a healthy lifestyle. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit origin “Yuj,” which means “to join,” “to yoke,” or “to unite.” Practicing yoga According to yogic texts, practicing yoga causes one’s awareness to become one of the Universal awareness, signifying complete harmony between the mind and body, as well as between man and nature. Modern physicists believe that the universe is nothing more than a manifestation of the same quantum firmament. A yogi is someone who practices yoga for a long time who has acquired the state of freedom known as mukthi, or Moksha.
Thus, the goal of yoga is self-realization, which will help one achieve “the state of liberation” (Moksha) or “freedom” (Kaivalya) by overcoming all forms of pain. Living with freedom in all aspects of life, as well as health and harmony, will be the primary goals of Yoga practice.”Yoga” also refers to an inner science that includes several approaches for humans to realize this oneness and have control over their fate. Yoga, commonly regarded as an ‘immortal cultural result’ of the Indus Saraswati Valley civilization – dating back to 2700 B.C. – has proven to be beneficial to both the material and spiritual upliftment of humanity. Yoga Sadhana’s identity is founded on the fundamentals of basic human values.
Yoga’s History:
Yoga has been practiced since the birth of humanity. Yoga science dates back thousands of years, well before the birth of the first religions or belief systems. Shiva is regarded as the first yogi or Adiyogi, as well as the first Guru of Adi Guru, in yogic literature. Adiyogi infused his vast knowledge into the mythical Saptarishis or “seven sages’ some thousand years ago on the banks of the Himalayan lake Kantisarovar. This potent yogic science was spread by the sages throughout the world .Interestingly, current academics have recognized and marveled at the close parallels discovered between ancient cultures throughout the world.
In Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse Hindu scripture thought to have been composed between the fifth and second centuries B.C.E., is where bhakti yoga was first introduced.
People of diverse ages, backgrounds, and statuses of spiritual growth can practice bhakti yoga. It is a way that highlights the universality of love and devotion since it is not constrained by challenging physical postures or intricate philosophical doctrines. Through their profound commitment and poetry, many great martyrs and poets, including Mirabai, Kabir, and Tulsidas, have exemplified the essence of Bhakti yoga, further encouraging supporters on this path to build a pure heart.
Forms of Yoga:
- Bhakti Yoga:
This is the divine strategy of yoga, which is one of purity and love.
This way of yoga connects with a spiritual way of relinquishing in front of god. It is the medium to bring up devotion, love, and affection towards God. It can be rehearsed in many ways like chanting, praying, etc. People get a medium to connect with God through the ways referred to above.
Hinduism’s deepest spiritual path, bhakti yoga, places a strong vigor on love and devotion to a respective deity, usually one of the innumerable gods or goddesses found in the Hindu pantheon, such as Vishnu, Shiva, or Devi. In essence, the word “bhakti” means “devotion” or “love,” emphasizing the core idea of this yoga.
Bhakti yoga practitioners use traditions, chanting, prayer, and meditation to connect deeply and emotionally with their chosen deity. Oneness with the divine is the utmost aim, which can only be achieved through unflinching love and devotion. This path teaches that all activities should be performed to serve the god, whether through performing acts of selfless service (seva), chanting prayers (kirtan), or simply remaining conscious of the deity at all times.
- Hatha yoga:
In our Sanskrit language, the term “hatha” is an umbrella term for the physical posture of yoga. It is a posture and breathing technique. The hatha yoga means Ha means sun and
That means the moon. These practices strengthen your body, cultivating prana (life-force energy), and activating kundalini (dormant spiritual energy).
In Most of the modern classes do not teach the esoteric exercises of breath retention, bandhas, and mudras that would channel and raise one’s energy levels high enough to attain enlightenment, and all of the techniques of this form of yoga are seen as preparatory steps to achieving the deeper states of meditation and enlightenment found in the path.
The Ultimate Goal of Yoga:
- Helps in maintaining physical health.
- Helps in increasing blood circulation.
- Helps in maintaining proper mental health.
- It helps increase flexibility in the body.
- Gives you stronger bones
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Promotes positive thinking.
Why is our Hindu mythology in touch with Yoga?
Hinduism is one of the oldest religions still in practice and the third largest with over a billion followers. Though not a specific date is known, Hindu mythology includes a vast collection of legends that have been passed down from the ancient Vedic era (about 1500–500 BC). However, it’s crucial to remember that Hinduism and its mythological equivalent are not the same.
5 Yogic techniques for a calm mind and body:
- Conscious Attention to the Breath:
Several techniques can be used to enhance the level of calmness and reduce the fraction of the restless
mind.
- Meditation:
In meditation, we survey the breathing process which calms down the mind and body as well. A good and healthy mind and soul will give divine energy to the body.
- Recurrence of mantra:
It makes the body calm and makes a person spiritual. Repetition of the mantra brings positivity and grace into life.
- Nurture the mind with Laya Yoga:
It is a technique referred to as length in Hatha Yoga Pradipika and it is touched upon in the Universal energy merging with the sense of self.
- Take on Yoga Nidra to encounter deep relaxation :
Yoga Nidra can instruct on lucid dreaming, astral travels, and states of profound realization. The practitioners use assorted techniques to tap into the immense amount of power of the senseless mind.
The Final Verdict:
The blog contains lots of information regarding the Hindu roots of yoga and we came to know about the techniques as well. So yoga is already associated with 500 BCE. Even in the Bhagavad Gita Krishna addressed yoga, bhakti, devotion, knowledge, karma, and many more.
