When you hear the word yoga chances are that an image of people twisting in, seemingly, impossible poses may pop into your head. Perhaps you never dreamt that any non-acrobat could bend and twist likes that! While yoga, asanas are immensely effective and helpful, yoga is more than the asanas or poses it is known for today. Let’s start at the beginning with the very meaning of yoga. What do we mean when we say it is more than asanas? And from when has it been practiced?
In the hierarchy of vedic knowledge, there are four vedas – Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. These are followed by four upaivedas or sub vedas Aurveda, Artharveda, Dhanurveda and Gandharvaveda further down the line are six upangas or components – Shiksha, Kalpa, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Chhandas and Jyotisha. These are further classified in the sub-components- Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Sankhya, Mimansa, Vedanta and Yoga.
The word yoga was derived from the Sanskrit word “YUJ” which means “to Join” or to unite”. This union referred to is that of your mind with your body. The earliest recorded mention of the word “Yoga” is in the ancient Indian text, the Rig Veda –this body of knowledge dates back to around 1500 BC!
Maharshi Patanjali, considered the father of yoga, was the first one to systematize and practice yoga in what is believed to be, the second century B.C. Through his yoga sutras, he disseminated the meaning of yoga and the knowledge it has to offer. This yoga was called “Raja Yoga”. He formulated the Ashtanga Yoga or the eight limbs of yoga which included:
For many, the practice of yoga is restricted to “Hatha Yoga” and Asanas. Fundamentally, Hatha yoga is a preparatory process so that the body can sustain higher levels of energy. The process begins with the body, then the breath, the mind and the inner self. Thus the aim of yoga is self-realization to overcome all kinds of sufferings leading to the state of liberation (Moksha) or freedom (Kaivalya). Living with freedom in all walks of life, health and harmony shall be the main objectives of yoga practice.
This profound spiritual meaning of yoga is now being recognized globally as the United Nations has named June 21st as International Yoga Day. A day to assign this ancient practice its rightful place as a way of life that engenders peace, harmony and universal integration.
Yoga is not just the physical exercise but it is an art—how skillfully you develop your relationship with others and how strongly you handle the situation. So we can define yoga as the path to self-realization and actualization. Nowadays millions of people across the globe have benefitted by the practice of yoga which has been preserved and promoted by the great eminent yoga masters from ancient time to this date. The practice of yoga is blossoming and growing more vibrant every day.
In the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna says, “Samatvam yoga Uchyate” – equanimity of the mind is a sign of yoga. Yoga is that ability to remain centred in adverse situations. Therefore, whatever takes us back to our original, joyous and harmonious nature is yoga.
How can yoga be in the category of Sports? This is the topic of controversy all over the world. But if we concentrate on “Asanas” and look at them through the concept of sports, we can definitely judge, remark and categorise them just like a sport.
Therefore, as sports are governed by rules and regulations in order to ensure fair play and just competition, yoga is also governed by ethical principles of honesty and integrity.
If you look closely, yoga and sport both aim to maintain and improve our physical skills. They transform our physical state, entertain those watching and bring joy to mind.
Yoga mainly focuses on “Asanas”. The Asanas are one of the eight limbs of yoga, where we can meet outside and verify our inner work.
In other words, if you play a sport or perform a yoga posture on stage and you feel the joy of doing it, you are a champion. This is the message we want to convey—through healthy competition and unity through sport to the new generation.