The word "YOGA" came from the Sanskrit word "yuj" which means "Yoke or to unite or to control."Yoga is about the union of a our body and mind.Breathing is the connecting link between the body and the soul.To put it in simple words The cart( body)is attached to a bullock(mind)by a special chain (breath)attached to yoke.
Ancient Yogis beleived that for man to be in harmony with himself and his environment, he has to integrate the body, the mind, and the soul.They achieved this through exercise(asanas), breathing(pranayama), and Meditation- the three main Yoga structures.
HISTORY OF YOGA:
The roots of Yoga can be traced as long as 5000 years back. During archeological excavations made in the Indus valley, a seal with a figure sitting in a traditional cross-legged yoga pose with its hands resting on its knees was discovered. The seal’s discoverer, archeologist Sir John Marshall, named the figure Shiva Pasupathi.
Among the literary evidence "The Bhagavad Gita" (about 500 B.C) is the most well known and popular work but it has very little to do with the physical aspect of yoga.But speaks about KARMA YOGA (yoga of service ),GYANA YOGA(yoga of knowledge, particularly self-knowledge)and BHAKTI YOGA( yoga of devotion)
Next book considered as bible of Yoga is "Yoga Sutra " written by Patanjali around the second century, it was an attempt to define and standardize Classical Yoga.Patanjali's Eightfold path of Yoga (also called Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga-"ASTANGA YOGA"). These are:
1)Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values; 2)Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study; 3)Asanas or physical exercises; 4)Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation; 5)Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation; 6)Dharana, which is about concentration; 7)Dhyana, which means Meditation; and 8)Samadhi, which means ecstasy.
Another important text "Thirumandiram" written by Thirumoolar(traditionally allotted a date of 3000 BC ), one among 18 siddhars clearly says about astanga yoga and medicines.
The roots of Yoga can be traced as long as 5000 years back. During archeological excavations made in the Indus valley, a seal with a figure sitting in a traditional cross-legged yoga pose with its hands resting on its knees was discovered. The seal’s discoverer, archeologist Sir John Marshall, named the figure Shiva Pasupathi.
Among the literary evidence "The Bhagavad Gita" (about 500 B.C) is the most well known and popular work but it has very little to do with the physical aspect of yoga.But speaks about KARMA YOGA (yoga of service ),GYANA YOGA(yoga of knowledge, particularly self-knowledge)and BHAKTI YOGA( yoga of devotion)
Next book considered as bible of Yoga is "Yoga Sutra " written by Patanjali around the second century, it was an attempt to define and standardize Classical Yoga.Patanjali's Eightfold path of Yoga (also called Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga-"ASTANGA YOGA"). These are: 1)Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values; 2)Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study; 3)Asanas or physical exercises; 4)Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation; 5)Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation; 6)Dharana, which is about concentration; 7)Dhyana, which means Meditation; and 8)Samadhi, which means ecstasy.
Another important text "Thirumandiram" written by Thirumoolar(traditionally allotted a date of 3000 BC ), one among 18 siddhars clearly says about astanga yoga and medicines.
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