Yoga – What is it all about?
People might think of Yoga as a just a physical practice or an exercise with odd or fancy looking poses. However, there are many ways to practice Yoga and many different philosophies about Yoga, which originally comes from India.
In India, Yoga is more a philosophy, devotion and a way of life rather than just a collection of the poses we see in the American media or on Instagram or Facebook. In my personal travels in India I noted devoted Yogi’s would be shocked to see how sexualized and also generic we portray yoga in Western culture which removes the sacredness from yoga practice. India certainly humbled me about the meaning of Yoga and the sacredness and deep devotion it carries.
Here, I will share a summary of what I know about several of the main teachings about Yoga that I found both useful and insightful. I hope it will help you further understand it too.
Yoga as Union
The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word Yuj which means to yoke or bind. Binding mind, body and spirit. According to Arjuna, the great yogi warrior in the sacred 700 verse Hindu scripture called the Bhagavad Gita, the Gita, as it’s often called, Yoga is emphasized as a union, love and the source of all things.
Each of Us is already Infinitely Wonderous, Divine If You Prefer..
The Gita also calls for selfless action championed by many great leaders of the Indian independence and Mahatma Ghandi referred to it as his “spiritual dictionary”. This is a book I thought would be too long and difficult to read. I actually found it so lovely and insightful and not at all difficult. I would recommend anyone interested in learning about the meaning and intentions embodied in a sincere yoga practice read it and see where it takes them.
Yoga Sutras and the Eightfold Path
Sutra is a Sanskrit word that means string or thread. It was the Indian Sage Pantanjali who is believed to have collected and combined the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra a text written around 2,000 years ago. This is the philosophy that is taught in many Yoga schools in the West. In Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutra he describes an Eightfold path which is called Ashtanga (ashta means eight and anga means limb). In summary, these eight steps act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life; morally, ethically, physically and spiritually. They also direct attention to health and spiritual nature.
Here is a summary of Eight Limbs that you will often encounter in a class taught in a studio:
Yama’s
Yama deals with one’s ethical standards, integrity and how we conduct ourselves in life. The Yamas relate to a universal rule of ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. There are five Yamas:
- non violence & non harming,
- truthfulness,
- non stealing,
- self restraint & moderation and
- non greed or non hoarding.
Niyama’s
Niyama has to do with self discipline and spiritual observances. That is meditation, self observation or contemplation. Attending temple or church, or saying grace before a meal are also examples of niyama in practice. There are five Niyamas:
- cleanliness,
- contentment,
- discipline, enthusiasm and austerity
- disciplined study of one’s self and yoga philosophy
- surrender to a higher power (i.e. letting go)
Asana’s
Asanas are the physical postures practiced in yoga, which comprise of the third limb. The body is viewed as a sacred temple for the spirit. It is important for our spiritual growth to take care of our physical vehicle. Through the practice of the yoga postures we are able to cultivate habits of concentration, physical stamina and discipline. The discipline and concentration are both necessary for meditation.
Pranayama
Pranayama is the practice of breath. There are many techniques that will enable one to gain control over the respiratory process while recognizing the connection of the breath, the mind and the emotions. The translated term of pranayama is “life force extension”. Yogis believe it not only rejuvenates the body, but actually extends life itself. The practice of breath is done as an isolated practice by simply lying or sitting and practicing various techniques or be integrated into your daily yoga posture practice or routine.
Pratyahara
Pratyahara, is to turn inward from the external. This practice provides us the opportunity to step back and withdraw our senses from outside stimuli and become an observer or witness. This withdrawal helps us to objectively observe our habits or cravings that otherwise may not serve our inner growth. As each stage prepares us for the next, the practice of pratyahara prepares us for the sixth stage
Dharana
Dharana, or concentration. Having withdrawn our senses from outside distractions we then deal with the distractions of the mind itself. The practice of concentration or focus on the body, a mantra, an object, breath, etc. precedes meditation. Therefore, we learn how to slow down the thinking process.
Dhyana
Through Dhyana, Meditation or contemplation we experience the uninterrupted flow of concentration. This uninterrupted flow of concentration is what my meditation teacher calls the “gap”. At this time the mind is experiencing stillness and it produces few or no thought at all. Although this may seem impossible, remember yoga is a process and we benefit and build strength at each stage of the process. Like exercising for strength we also need to exercise our mind for strength.
Finally, Patanjali describes his eighth and final stage of ashtanga, Samadhi.
Samadhi
Samadhi. At this stage the meditator merges with the Divine and Self altogether, an interconnectedness of all living things. The experience is bliss and and being at one with the Universe or Peace.
Beyond The Poses
Throughout my years of practicing yoga it has taken a long time to understand the power that lies beyond the physical postures and the struggle with the ego. I am in no way in a constant state of Samadhi, but have learned through the discipline and understanding of the sutras, especially meditation, that it helps to bring me back home to MySelf when I’ve observed I’ve lost touch. Hence my passion to share it with others.
Where to Start?
Start by taking a beginner yoga class and learning to quiet your mind with meditation. Once you have the basics you will begin to enhance your understanding of the meaning and philosophy behind the poses. As yoga poses constitute just one branch of yoga, you will find more information as you read more about the Yoga Sutras and the Eightfold Path in Pantanjali’s Sutras.
A good version is The Yoga-Sutra of Pantanjali, a New Translation with Commentary by Chip Hartranft published by Shambala Classics, available from Amazon for around $9. From there, a longer but wonderful read is the Bhagavad Gita. This is a narrative story of the attainment of liberation or enlightenment through selfless action. The translation I liked is The Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran published by Nilgiri available on Amazon for as little as $6.
