21st June 2024 International Yoga Day – This year’s 10th International Day of Yoga theme is “Yoga for Self and Society.” As a transforming practice, yoga stands for the oneness of restraint and fulfillment, the harmony of mind and body, and the balance between thought and action. It offers a comprehensive approach to health and well-being that calms our busy lives by integrating the body, mind, spirit, and soul. On this unique day, we celebrate its transformative potential.
Yoga comes straight from the Sanskrit word “yuj”, which means “to unite” or “to yoke.” The goal of the practice is to unite one’s self with universal awareness and the body, mind, and spirit. This kind of unity produces a feeling of awakening to divinity, which tends to balance out ego-driven ideas and actions.
What is Yoga?
We understand the word’s meaning but still have to find out the true meaning of yoga. In modern times, it has been frequently associated with only physical exercise or seen as a means to get fitter. But in reality, it goes beyond that.
“ASHTANG YOGA” is described in English as the eight limbs of Yoga. What are these? Are they branches of yoga practice or eight types of asanas? The answer is neither. It is more comprehensive. Let me provide you with some more details to get a better understanding of Yoga.
Every one of the Eight Limbs provides a way to live a life that is more honest, disciplined, respectful of the environment, and connected to the spiritual side of things. The following eight techniques are meant to be used in an integrated and holistic way:
- YAMA: Yama is the term for the renunciation practice, which is considered the foundational morality of yoga. It is believed that releasing oneself from material worries is a necessary condition for practicing yoga. Austerity is defined by the Yoga Sutras as the search for truth, non-violence, sacrifice of all material belongings, and non-covetousness. All these features are also connected to the celibacy required by the yogic practice.
- NIYAMA: Niyama concentrates on multiple elements of moral behavior that support a successful yoga practice. This stage focuses on the person after the first stage’s renunciation of the material world. The body’s purification is the first step in Niyama. Achieving a sense of satisfaction even in the lack of material belongings comes next. Discipline and reflection can be pursued after the person is satisfied. When a yogi is motivated only by their devotion to God or the cosmic presence, they have reached the Niyama stage.
- ASANA: Guru Patanjali refers to this element as “sthirasukhamasanam” in the Yoga Sutras. Accordingly, the asana is a pose in which the body is entirely relaxed. True comfort of posture, according to the yogic discipline, can only be reached when the mind is focussed. When one practices asanas, the body achieves a comfortable condition because the mind is directed upon maintaining the different positions.
- PRANAYAMA: Pranayama helps cultivate the mental calmness necessary to hold an asana. Pranayama is the term for breath control. The regulation of inhalation and exhalation occurs when a person becomes conscious of their breathing patterns. The mind may be stilled by paying attention to and controlling the breath.
- PRATYAHARA: The practice of distancing oneself from one’s sensory environment is known as pratyahara. This is only possible when the mind is diverted from the multitude of stimuli that the sense organs are sensing. Rather, the mental focus is directed within. The internal elements of yoga are “Dharana”, “dhyana”, and “samadhi”.
- DHARANA: The yogi chooses an item or thought of their choosing and concentrates only on it throughout the dharana stage. This might also be just a plain name.
- DHYANA: Dhyana is practiced when a person can maintain concentration on the thing or name selected during the dharana stage. The term Dhyana means meditation. At this point, the yogi’s attention is entirely inside, on one thing—a name, a concept, or an object.
- SAMADHI: The Ashtanga yoga curriculum concludes in samadhi. The total calming of the mind that enables one to become one with the cosmos is referred to as samadhi.
Including YOGA in your daily life
Including yoga in your daily practice can provide significant benefits for your physical and emotional health. Yoga is an age-old discipline that has been practiced for thousands of years. It has several advantages that may help you live a more balanced, healthy, and meaningful life. Yoga may help you acquire a sense of quiet and tranquility that is difficult to find in today’s fast-paced world, from increasing flexibility and strength to lowering tension and anxiety.
Conclusion
Although it may appear that yoga is only stretching, it is much more than that. Frequent practice may change your appearance, attitude, and gait. It also raises your vitality and widens your perspective on things, people, and life in general. It might be difficult to notice the difference between a tough exercise and easy yoga poses, especially when it comes to mental clarity. Simple yoga poses, such as breathing exercises, can be challenging to do if you breathe incorrectly. When carried out correctly, it aids in clearing our throat, lungs, and nose of any contaminants.
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Dr Kiran Swami
Dr. Kiran Swami, BHMS, MD (Hom.), a Research Officer at BJain Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., holds degrees from Nehru Homeopathic Medical College, Delhi, and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur. With expertise in homeopathy and a passion for research, she drives innovation in holistic healthcare solutions.