The word Yoga It is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, "to control", "to yoke", or "to unite". This means that the science of yoga brings together the mind, body and spirit in a harmony, uniting the emotional (heart) and rational (mind) ends of the spectrum into a whole. The yoga unites the separateness of human being to one whole entity. It is difficult to understand this before you experience it, like myself, many yoga practitioners today’s fast moving competitive world start the practice of yoga with Asana, physical postures. But Asana is not yoga, it is only one aspect or in yoga terms one branch or limb of the yoga. The yoga was written and systematised by Patanji in his work called Yoga Sutra, this epos consists 185 tense aphorisms. Yoga Sutra includes the eight limbs of yoga which are Yamas & Niyamas; ethical and individual disciples, Asana; physical posture, Pranayama; breath control, Pratyahara; Withdrawal of the senses,Dhyana; concentration, Dharana; meditation, Samadhi; Illumination, full awareness from moment to moment. I will not go further with these disciplines, because once you wish to feed your curiosity there are wide variety of books available, see below; Recommended Reading. My general message about yoga is that yoga goes beyond the physical aspect of living to more spiritual one and brings these two aspects of living together without conflict. It is a way to be aware of one’s real self and live in harmony with all the sentient beings and the world around us. So next time you step out from the yoga class deeply refreshed, try to remember to be alert of each moment you engage in daily living with same focus and awarness like you did in your class. Be happy! Namaste. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Yoga chitta vrtti nirodhah" ­ yoga calms the turmoil of the mind ­ Yoga Sutra 1.2 Yoga can be understood as a set of behaviours that develops a holistic experience of the body, heart and mind. It is a process of fully inhabiting ourselves and our life in a radically engaging and inquisitive (curious) way. Through this training we develop a healthy capacity to literally take up residence in our bodies and minds, which can then lead us into a simple presence. Presence is a quality of being that is open and aware. This body-mind presence serves as the ground for compassion and wisdom to emerge within us. Sarah Powers - Insight yoga Yoga voidaan ymmartaa sarjana kaytostapoja jotka kehittavat kokonaisvaltaisen kokemuksen ruumin, sydammen seka mielen yhteydesta. Yoga on prosessi, jossa me kokonaisvaltaisesti naemme itsemme seka sitoudumme uteliaasti elamaan. Taman kasvun kautta me kehitamme tervean avoimuuden ja hyvaksynnan, seka kirjaimellisesti palaamme kotiin itseemme. Tama tuottaa vaivattoman ja yksinkertaisen olemassa olon tunteen. Taman lasnaolon ominaisuus on olla avoin seka tietoinen. Syvan ruumiin ja mielen lasnaolon kautta luomme pohjaa vilpittomalle myotatunnolle seka viisaudelle. Sarah Powers - Insight yoga, suomentannut Eva "Sthira Sukham Asanam" ­ the yoga posture is steady and comfortable ­ Yoga Sutra 2.46 Asanas are distinguishing (distinctive) feature of yoga. They take one from the physical to the spiritual plane. They are the beginning as well as the foundation of Yoga Vidya, the Science of Yoga. Asana means holding the body in a particular posture with the thought of God (consciousness) within. The asana has to be held firm ‘sthira’ so as not to shale that Divinity. The Conquest of asana comes when effort ceases and stability sets in. The stability brings about a state of ‘sukhata’ or bliss. An asana held in that state is no longer performed by the physical of physiological body but by the Inner Self. In this state the body has been conquered, dualities have disappeared, and the union of the body, the mind, and the soul is achieved. Practice of asana brings firmness to the body, eliminates fluctuating character of the mind, and makes the mind steady. Sthira stand for the firmness of the body, while sukhata stands the quality of the mind. We don’t say the body is happy, but the mind is contented. The mind and body are interwoven and interdependent. If there is any disturbance in the body the mind is disturbed and vice versa. In yoga the body and the mind are cultivated by steady process of asana practice to prevent any impediment in their functioning. This practice gives health, poise (balance), mobility and immunity from disease. In mastering the yogic posture lies the secret of the conquest of the body: by this essential step the sadhaka (accomplishment) is carried to a spiritual plane and towards Self-realisation. Yoga a gem for women - Geeta Iyengar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECOMMENDED READING: Yoga: The Upanishads The Bhagavad Gita Hatha Yoga Pradipika - Swatmarama Light on Yoga - B.K.S Iyengar Light on Life - B.K.S Iyengar Yoga a gem for women - Geeta Iyengar Yoga the Iyengar way - Silva, Mira & Shyam Mehta The heart of yoga - T.K.V Desikachar Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandhas - Swami Satyananda Saraswati Yoga and the quest of the true self - Stephen Cope Bringing yoga to life - Donna Farhi The breathing book - Donna Farhi Yoga. The spirit and practise of moving into stillness - Erich Schiffman Yin Yoga - Paul Grilley Insight Yoga - Sarah Powers Yoga Nidra - Swami Satyananda Saraswati Moola Bandha, The Master Key - Swami Buddhananda Anatomy: Anatomy of movement - Blandine Calais-Germain Emotional Anatomy - Stanley Keleman Anatomy & Asana, Preventing yoga injuries - Suzi Hately Aldous Other: The Passionate Mind - Joel Kramer Anatomy of the spirit - Caroline Myss Practising the power of Now - Eckhart Tolle Creating Health - Deepak Chopra Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts