Yoga is the Indian philosophy, science, and art that concerns the individual's search for the soul. Through regular practice of yoga asanas (postures) and breathing techniques (pranayama), one can experience increased self-awarenes, clarity of mind, and ease and grace within one's own body. The word 'yoga' comes from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', which means to join, bind together, or unite.
B.K.S. Iyengar in The Tree of Yoga (Shambhala Classics, Boston. 2002.) describes it as follows:
Yoga means union. The union of the individual soul with the Universal Spirit. This is an abstract notion. For our level of understanding, I say that yoga is the union of body with the mind, and the mind with the soul. When conciousness and the body are brought into union with one another, the energy of conciousness is still, conciousness too is still, and the soul pervades the entire body.
Yoga was first described in a systematic way by the ancient sage Pantanjali about 1700 years ago in Yoga Sutra. 'Sutra' in Sanskrit means thread, and these 196 terse statements, or 'threads' describe the aims of yoga and how to practice.
Pantanjali described eight stages along the yogic path. Devoted practice to the first four aspects eventually can lead the practitioner to experience the latter four stages. These practices include:
- Yama - universal ethical principles
- Niyama - rules of personal conduct
- Asana - the practice of yoga postures
- Pranayama - the practice of yogic breathing techniques
- Pratyahara - control of the senses
- Dharana - concentration of the mind
- Dhyana - meditation
- Samahdi - union of the individual soul with the Universal Soul or Spirit.
There are many aspects to yoga practice, and various teachers and schools of philosophy emphasize each of the aspects differently. They include:
- Hatha Yoga - the yoga of the body
- Raja Yoga - the yoga of the mind
- Jnana Yoga - the yoga of knowledge
- Bhakti Yoga - the yoga of devotion
- Kriya Yoga - the yoga of action
Yoga is not an exclusive practice, and does not require acceptance of a specific creed or set of beliefs. It is not a religion, but yoga philosophically and ethically complements the major religions of the world. Regardless of age or health, everyone can practice yoga in some modified form.