” Yoga isn’t an ancient myth buried in oblivion. It’s the most precious heritage of the present. It’s the essential need of moment and the culture of hereafter.” Swami Satyananda Saraswati
The wisdom of yoga applies itself to all aspects of life.The word yoga means’ concinnity’ or’ oneness’ and is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj”, which means’ to join’. This concinnity or joining is described in spiritual terms as the union of the individual knowledge with the universal knowledge. On a more practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonising the body, mind and feelings. This is done through the practice of asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, shatkarma and contemplation, and must be achieved before union can take place with the advanced reality. The wisdom of yoga begins to work on the outermost aspect of the personality, the physical body, which for most people is a practical and familiar starting point. When imbalance is endured at this position, the organs, muscles and jitters no longer function in harmony; rather they act in opposition to each other. For example, the endocrine system might become irregular and the effectiveness of the nervous system drop to such an extent that a disease will manifest. Yoga aims at bringing the different bodily functions into perfect collaboration so that they work for the good of the whole body.
History of yoga
The yoga we know at the moment was developed as a part of the tantric civilization which was in India and all corridors of the world more than ten thousand years ago.According to mythical tradition, Shiva is said to be the author of yoga and Parvati, his first disciple.Lord Shiva is considered to be the symbol or personification of supreme knowledge. Parvati represents supreme knowledge, will and action, and is responsible for all creation.Tantra is a combination of two words,” tanoti “and “trayati”, which means ‘expansion’ and’ emancipation’ independently. Yoga arose at the morning of mortal civilization when humankind first realised their spiritual potential and began to evolve ways to develop it. In ancient times, yogic practices were kept secret and were never written down or exposed to public view.They were passed on from teacher or guru to disciple by word of mouth.In this way there was a clear understanding of their meaning and aim.The first books to relate to yoga were the ancient Tantras and latterly the “Vedas”, which were written about the time the Indus Valley culture was flourishing.Sage Patanjali’s composition on raja yoga, the Yoga Sutras, codified the first definitive, unified and comprehensive system of yoga. Often called the eightfold path, it is comprised of yama, self-restraints, niyama, self-observances, asana, pranayama,
pratyahara, dissociation of consciousness from the outside environment, dharana, concentration, dhyana, meditation, and samadhi, identification with pure consciousness.
Importance of yoga
Yoga holds immense relevance for Generation Z, the tech-savvy and fast-paced generation of today. In an era characterised by constant digital stimulation and stress, yoga offers a much-needed sanctuary for mental and physical well-being.People often facing academic pressure, social media fatigue, and mental health challenges, can benefit from yoga’s holistic approach. It provides a means to de-stress, improve concentration, and cultivate mindfulness. Moreover, yoga encourages a healthy lifestyle, promoting physical fitness and flexibility. As Gen-Z navigates a world filled with distractions and pressures, the practice of yoga offers a valuable tool for finding balance, inner peace, and a sense of connection with oneself and the world around them.
About the Auther
Meet Akash, a dedicated second-year undergrad student at Ramjas College ,possessing unwavering passion for dance and yoga, while also harboring a deep love for his country’s rich cultural heritage and who’s eager to learn new skills.
