Essays

Yoga means 'Oneness' and constitutes the essence of every possible religion, the gist of every creed and the core of every spiritual path.

In ancient India, yoga was practiced by such sages as Shiva, Rama, Krishna and Vyasa. What Krishna teaches Arjuna is not Krishnaism, but just Yoga! The root of Jainism is Yoga, since Mahavira practised Hatha Yoga. Jesus Christ even carried out a lengthy pilgrimage with the purpose of studying yoga. Gautama Buddha studied Yoga throughout his life. Bodhidharma brought Buddha's raja yoga from India to China.

In the Middle East countries this practice is known as SUFA or ZUF (hbr). As the Bible teaches, such men as Samuel or David the prophets, were related to the sufi school (rish). In Tibet, people do not call themselves the Buddhists but the yoga practitioners. Padmasambhava is a yogi as well.

Yoga comes from connecting to God, just as the word religion means in a western context. There are many schools or even called sampradajas with different forms of yoga. All teachings guide an embodied spirit in a non- personal relationship to God. The supreme godhead resides in every being in its heart.

The native yoga-paths are a part of the Vedic-culture we refer to today as Hinduism, but the real importance of Vedic culture seems to be that it has enabled native yoga- paths to stay in the Indian sub-continent unchanged longer than they have in other locations. It seems as if these philosophies were once known all over the world.

Eight Stages of Yoga: The following are the eight stages in Yoga, known as 'Ashtanga Yoga'. One needs to practice and master each of these eight stages in order to reunite with the divine energy in the universe.

Yama: These are eternal, universal moral commandments. Perpetual Yama curbs the tendency toward violence and possessiveness. It inspires truthfulness, purity, conscience, trustworthiness, goodness and honesty.

Niyama: This is the restraint of the mind by means of its own rules and regulations. It is self-purification through discipline, self-contentment, self-study and above all, the surrender of the self to God. It is also the study of scripts and holy texts- Asanas: These are body postures, which develop inner awareness and aid in calming the mind. Pranayama: This is the rhythmic control, prolongation and drestraint of the breath.

Its aim is to discover a subtle psychic force or a subtle cosmic element. Pratyahara: This entails control of the senses of the human body. It is important to give up all emotions, sentiments and pleasures. The mind must be completely withdrawn from external attractions and objects. Dharana: This is the Sanskrit word for "to hold". It is an intense, deep concentration which enhances the selected mental state. Dhyana: This is meditation, contemplation and poised awareness. Samadhi: Profound Meditation leads to a state of super consciousness. This state is called Samadhi. It is the union of the individual aspirant (Sadhaka) with the object of his meditation Paramatma or the Supreme Universal Spirit - the, ervasive truth.

We give undue importance to our health and the treatment of diseases. A large number of medicines treat only the symptoms of the disease, and not the root cause. In fact, the cause of many chronic ailments is still being researched.

It is here that Yoga therapy comes to our assistance. Yoga emphasizes treatment of the root cause of an ailment. It works in a slow, subtle and miraculous manner. Modem medicine can claim to save a life at a critical stage, but, for complete recovery and regaining of normal health, one must believe in the efficiency of Yoga therapy.

The Yogic way of life includes a code of ethics, regulations, discipline and more, combined with prayer and meditation. Even a discussion of these subjects helps one relieve mental tensions and change attitudes. Simple asana help to stretch and relax the whole body and neutralize tensions. The sincere practice of Yoga postures benefits all levels of experience.

From the restoration of balance, flexibility, poise, health and well being to the body, to the cultivation of mental equanimity, emotional balance, and inner strength. On a physical level Yoga postures stimulate the glands, organs, muscles and nerves in ways that traditional exercise cannot.

Muscle tightness and strain is quickly relieved and both circulation and digestion improves. Stress-related symptoms like poor sleep, fatigue, muscle spasms, anxiety, and indigestion are greatly improved. Through continued practice Yoga postures can have a profound effect on the inner dimensions of life, establishing deep calm, concentration, emotional stability and confidence.