A Yogi Journey

YOGA BHOGA SAGA TRIOLOGY

“Yoga is the Enlightened Path Towards Niroga”

Yoga evolved in India over 5000 years ago during the Indus Saraswati Civilization primarily in northern India and is clearly in-scripted in the country’s oldest holy text “Rig Veda” and the Upnishads. Though it’s widely debated by researchers to be way older as being practiced by ancient Yogis, Sages, Brahmins and Vedic Priests. Yoga was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ or ‘Yug’ meaning to merge, join or unite to control with discipline, ethics and deep concentration. The two primary roots being Yujir Yoga which means to Yoke and Yuj Samadhau meaning to concentrate peacefully. These collection of Pious Recitals, Mantras, Hymns and beliefs & practices which were documented in the Vedas and Upanishads formed the basis of numerous scriptures. The most renowned among them being the Yogic Scriptures, also known as the Bhagwat Gita which originated during the 500 BCE. In the Vedic age yoga was practiced in the Karma and Jnana forms which reflected around the action and wisdom concepts and over a period many forms of yoga were evolved under different Gurus which became a thought process globally.

 Yoga is a method of training and uniting the body, mind and spirit which has been evolved & practiced in India in numerous forms. The Asanas helps the body to integrate and purify the body and mind, thus creating a suitable environment for peace and meditation. The different Forms of Yoga which gained momentum over the period are Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyenger Yoga, Patanjali Yoga. Swami Vivekananda promoted the concept of yoga in the west amalgamating the concept of World Peace, Integrity and Universality of World Religions.

Yogic Practices for Refined Health, Wellness and Rejuvenation:

Among the most widely practiced Yoga Sadhanas or practiced forms are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana or Meditation, Samadhi /Samyama, Bandhas & Mudras, Shat-karmas, Yukta-ahara, Yukta karma, Mantra japa, etc. The Yama's are restraints and Niyama's are observances. These are considered to be Pre-Requisite for the Yoga Sadhanas. Asanas, capable of bringing about stability of body and mind ‘ kuryat-tad-asanam-sthairyam’ , consists in adopting various body (psycho-physical) patterns, giving ability to maintain a body position (a stable awareness of one’s structural existence) for a considerable length and period of time as well.

Yoga Sadhana and its Fundamentals:

Yoga works on the level of one’s body, mind, emotion and energy and its systematic synchronization . This has given rise to four broad classifications of Yoga: karma yoga, where we utilize the body; bhakti yoga, where we utilize the emotions; gyana yoga, where we utilize the mind and intellect; and kriya yoga, where we utilize the energy. Each system of Yoga we practice would fall within the gamut of one or more of these categories. Every individual is a unique combination of these four factors.

Guru: The Spiritual Teacher or The Mentor has always been considered as the highest living entity.  "All the ancient commentaries on Yoga have stressed that it is essential to work under the direction of a Guru.” The reason being that only a ‘Guru’ can mix the appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths, as is necessary for each seeker.

Yoga Education:  Yoga Education traditionally was imparted by knowledgeable, experienced, and wise persons in the families (comparable with the education imparted in convents in the west) and then by the Seers (Rishis/Munis/Acharyas) in Ashrams (compared with monasteries). Yoga Education, on the other hand, aims at taking care of the individual, the 'Being'. It is presumed that a good, balanced, integrated, truthful, clean, transparent person will be more useful to oneself, family, society, nation, nature and humanity at large. Yoga education is 'Being oriented'. Details of working with 'being oriented' aspect have been outlined in various living traditions and texts and the method contributing to this important field is known as 'Yoga'.

In the Present day, Yoga Education is being imparted by many eminent Yoga Institutions, Yoga Colleges, Yoga Universities, Yoga Departments in the Universities, Naturopathy colleges and Private trusts & societies. Many Yoga Clinics, Yoga Therapy and Training Centers, Preventive Health Care Units of Yoga, Yoga Research Centers etc. have been established in Hospitals, Dispensaries, Medical Institutions and Therapeutically setups

Many people across the globe have benefitted by the practice of Yoga which has been preserved and promoted by the great eminent Yoga Masters from ancient time to this date. The practice of Yoga is blossoming, and growing more vibrant every day. Different social customs and rituals in India, the land of Yoga, reflect a love for ecological balance, tolerance towards other systems of thought and a compassionate outlook towards all creations.

Yoga Sadhana of all hues and colours is considered panacea for a meaningful life and living. Its orientation to a comprehensive health, both individual and social, makes it a worthy practice for the people of all religions, races and nationalities.

The World celebrates 21^st of June as Global Yoga Day.

Welcome to India for Peaceful Amalgamation & Rejuvenation of Your Mind & Body.

OM NAMO NAMAH

Manjul Thapliyal

The Author is a Wellness and Travel Enthusiast based in India.

About Manjul Thapliyal

Is an avid writer, traveller, wellness & sports Enthusiast. He is a Yoga Admirer & Follower and practices Pranayama & Asanas and meditation techniques.

He is very deeply rooted to his hill state of Uttarakhand which imbibes rich religious traditions and is the rome of spirituality, yoga and wellness in India. He runs his own company, and a part of their activities is planning yoga retreats across India.