Yoga the basic philosophy

Yoga is not simply movement, it is a way of life. Although Yoga can be followed without technically being a religion it is one of the six major schools of Hinduism, originating in ancient India and it is also found in Buddhism, Jainism and Tantra. Yoga was design as a way to encourage, foster and nurture the bettering of oneself self spiritually, mentally and physically.

It’s a bit tricky to explain a whole ancient philosophy written in the ancient text Sanskrit in a short post but I’ll give it a go in a simple form. With more details on all of these elements being provided in more specific posts.

The universe in Yogic philosophy is made of Purusa (consciousness) and Prakriti (matter). Jiva (a living being) gets to experience consciousness and matter via senses, feelings, experiences, the mind and thought processes, the elements (earth, wind, water and fire) and activity. When a person doesn’t have a Yogic balance they essentially live in a state of ignorance or bondage and therefore, they can’t live their happiest most peaceful life.

The path of Yoga details ways to help break free of this bondage. As there are many schools of Yoga I will outline one of the most commonly referred to in the 21st century which is Ashtanga yoga (Eight limbed yoga), detailed in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Vivekananda.

· The Yamas which involve 5 elements; Ahimsa is non-violence, non-harming other living things, Satya is truthfulness and not being false, Asteya is non-stealing, Brahmacharya is celibacy or fidelity to one’s partner and Aparigraha is non-possessiveness.

· The Niyamas also involve 5 elements; Sauca which is purity, clearness of mind, speech and body, Santosha which involves contentment and acceptance of others and of one’s circumstances, Tapas which involves meditation and perseverance, Svadhyaya being self study and relflection and Ishvara-Pranidhana the contemplation of God or the Supreme being and true self.

· Asana; movement of the body and what we know Yoga to be in Western countries.

· Pranayama; Breath exercises and the action of using the breath to improve the body, mind and spirit.

· Pratyahara; Is the withdrawal of the sense organs from external objects.

· Dharana; Concentration on a single object.

· Dhyana; Meditation.

· Samadhi; Liberation of being bound by merging consciousness with the object of meditation or finding a oneness with the universal self.

As you can see Yoga is not merely poses and postures or a way to stretch the body.

This has been a very quick run down of a very ancient and complex way of living life.

If you’re looking for more information about Yoga philosophy and postures I have found most book stores have a good range of books in the health and fitness section. In Hobart Dymocks have a pretty good range.

For more information here are some of the major texts of Yoga

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Bhagavad Gita

Mahabharata