The word yoga originated from Sanskrit, a language of ancient India, meaning ‘union’, ‘merger’ or ‘join’. It was defined as a technique of uniting mind, body and soul. Yoga is an age old tradition of Hindu philosophy that existed first during 3000 B.C in Rishikesh. It was founded by Sage Patanjali from the posture of Lord Shiva.
Patanjali assembled all the ideas and concepts of yoga, collectively known as yoga sastra or science of yoga, from all sources as a reference to produce Yoga Sutras, the classical treatise on yoga. This thesis was written to preserve traditional knowledge with remarkable accuracy and to help people hold a balance between physical and moral being.
Purification is the basic principle and philosophy of yoga. The great yoga gurus have felt that human body has certain impurities that greatly affect the state of mind. Purification of body can be done through various breathing exercises and meditation. It eventually leads to real wisdom, spiritual liberalization and everlasting bliss.
Through various yoga poses, breathing exercises, meditations and relaxation, yoga helps to maintain an intimate link between the body and mind. Yoga exercises are designed to relieve stress, tone up the internal organs, and improve flexibility. Each posture is performed slowly with control over body and emotions. Furthermore, it helps in re-establishing the inner balance of the spine, restoring health and renewing energy. Some of the postures also aid in sustaining bone mass in women’s body and preventing osteoporosis. Breathing exercises help to free mind from impurities and provide a sense of relaxation. These exercises and postures eventually establish a healthy, vibrant and balanced approach to living.
Yoga is not exactly a religion but a tradition that has its root in Hinduism. Both yoga and Hinduism are significant traditions of ancient India. Yoga, even though is an independent tradition followed by most of the Hindus, is known to enhance the religious beliefs and practices. The five set of ethics that yoga picked from Hindu religion are non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity and non-greed.
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