Introduction To Yoga

Introduction to Yoga
Its Meaning and Definition
By Sadhana Chaudhary
What is Yoga?
• Yoga is a holistic practice that unites the body,
mind, and spirit. It originates from the Sanskrit
word 'Yuj,' meaning 'to unite' or 'to join.'
• Yoga is not just a physical activity but a way

of life that encompasses ethical principles,
meditation, breath control, and physical
postures.
Definition of Yoga
Shrimadbhagwat Gita:
(1)Yogastha Kuru Karmani Sangam Tyaktwa Dhananjaya।

Siddhyasiddhyo Samo Bhootva Samtavam Yoga Uchhyate ।।
(2/48)
Krishna says to Arjuna that you do your karma by submitting to
yoga and abandoning attachment.
Because taking success and failure as equal, is yoga.
Man experiences great joy in success and becomes unhappy
when he fails. According to the Gita, maintaining equality in both
success and failure is yoga. To become very happy on getting
success and to drown in sorrow upon failure, this mentality is unfair and
unhelpful for life. The result of this is that many people
become a victim of depression when they fail. The even commit
suicide.
(2)Buddhaiyukto Jahatih ubhe Sukritdushkrite।
Tasmadyogay Yujyasva Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam।। (2/50)
By this, Lord Krishna has told mankind that doing karma in the
spirit of yoga is the only way to get rid of karma bondage. Those who
are intelligent renounce both virtue and sin in this world.
Therefore, O Arjuna, you should be engaged in yoga as
equanimity, because yoga is perfectness in actions.
(3) Yuktaharviharasya yukt cheshtasya karmasu ।

Yuktswapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati dukhaha ।। (6/17)
That means, for those who eat proper diet, behave appropriately in
their deeds, and those who sleep properly y - for them yoga is the
destroyer of all sorrows.
Yoga philosophy is based on the work of Maharishi Patanjali,
popularly known as the 'Patanjal Yoga Sutra’.
Maharshi Patanjali has defined yoga clearly in this verse: -
Yogahchittavritti nirodhah। (1-2)
Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind (consciousness) ”.

What are these fluctuations of mind? We can begin to understand
them by equating them with waves rising and falling in the sea. Our mind
also keeps on stirring up different types of thoughts and emotions. These
thoughts or emotions can be either of pleasure or of sorrow.
On the basis of menifestations, the sage has given five types of
vrittis - Praman, Viparyay, Vikalpa, Nidra and Smriti. There are two
distinct types of the five vrittis - Klisht and Aklisht. Klisht meaning giver
of sorrow and pain. They causes sadness in life for the seeker and
hinders the path of yoga. Aklisht are helpful. They do not cause misery or pain. A yoga
practitioner must recognize them and restrict them
through practices of yoga.
Definitions of Yoga according to modern yogis : -
A. Sri Aurobindo :
Sri Aurobindo conceived the 'Super Mind' state for
man. According to him a person can develop his
mental powers to the level where he transforms
himself into divine form.
According to him practising yoga asanas and
pranayams etc. is not enough. Yoga does not mean
renouncing life either. It is believing in divine power
and facing the problems and challenges of life with
courage. The education of yoga is to surrender
selflessly to God and to transform oneself into divine
form through mental education.
Swami Shivanand Saraswati
Yoga is perfect life. This is the method that affects every aspect of
human nature. Yoga is the name of a system, through which the
oneness of the soul and the divine is realized and through this
knowledge, union of the divine and the soul takes place .
Swami Satyanand Saraswati
Yoga is not to be kept limited to the rishis and sages of the

Himalayan caves. Yoga and Tantra have extremely scientific principles,
which can be used scientifically for human welfare. Every method of
yoga is the essential need the of the present, which is to be dedicated
to the service of mankind. There is no better Yoga than service to the
poor and downtrodden .
Foretelling of Swami Ji - “Yoga is not an ancient myth buried in oblivion.
It is the most valuable inheritance of the present. It is the essential need
of today and the culture of tomorrow.”
Relevance in modern context:
Modern era is the era of science. Man's life has
become very resourceful. We are completely
based on external means.
The result is that man is satisfied with the
pleasure he gets from his senses and never tries
to look inside himself. In this way, a situation of
imbalance has arisen between the outer world
and the inner world, due to which stress and
outbreaks of various types of diseases are
increasing.
These diseases are spreading from the family to the global level. The
means of nature are being increasingly exploited, which is the cause of
many disturbances. Also, increasing use of medicines is making
humans physically disabled and weak.
In such a situation, mankind needs a discipline that can take it to
the path of peace. In this situation when we look at yoga, we find that
in today's situation it can help human life in various forms. Especially
in
relieving stress and preventing various disturbances that are happening
in nature and environment.
In this way, with the advancement of science, the relevance of

yoga is increasing day by day. If the definitions of yoga we have
discussed can be followed even in lesser quantities, then miracles can
happen.

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Introduction to Yoga

Its Meaning and Definition

• Yoga is not just a physical activity but a way

(1)Yogastha Kuru Karmani Sangam Tyaktwa Dhananjaya।

(3) Yuktaharviharasya yukt cheshtasya karmasu ।

Maharshi Patanjali has defined yoga clearly in this verse: -

Yogahchittavritti nirodhah। (1-2)

Yoga is stilling the fluctuations of the mind (consciousness) ”.

Swami Satyanand Saraswati

Yoga is not to be kept limited to the rishis and sages of the

In this way, with the advancement of science, the relevance of

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