Inner World of Yoga – Day 0
Inner Peace: Asana, breathing practices, contemplation and meditation help develop a growing awareness of our body/mind/spirit connection, for a more spiritual and satisfying outlook on life. Many practitioners who began practicing for reasons of greater physical well-being report Yoga has become an essential and effective path to more peace, happiness and wellbeing enhancing all levels of life.
In the true living tradition of YOGA, people in both the East and West practice yogic techniques to create a sense of inner peace, harmony, and clarity of mind – values absolutely relevant and necessary in today’s world.
Just as the popular saying goes, that “We are Spiritual Beings having a Physical Experience,” the very essence of YOGA draws upon that same truth, and is at its essence a Spiritual system and spiritual practice. In Yoga, we learn to begin every day from where we are.
Yoga’s origins are ancient and deep, and have been defined and refined over many thousands of years.
YOGA in a Brief General and Historical Context
Origins of Yoga in India
Ancient scriptures define YOGA as a science. It is a practical, methodical and systematic discipline that concerns itself with helping human beings become aware of their deepest nature and realize their greatest potential. It is a living tradition with doctrines and practices dating back to the time of the Vedas and Upanishads, around 4500-5000 BCE, or some believe, even earlier.
Patanjali was an Indian scholar and teacher who around 200 BCE codified or systematized – i.e. collected and organized – these ancient teachings into a text consisting of precepts or maxims called Sutras. Patanjali is regarded as the Founder of Yoga and defining YOGA in terms of “The Eight Limbs,” is based on his sutras. Patanjali’s efforts are deemed so important to present day Yoga, that these ancient teachings are often divided historically into three periods of different emphasis: Pre-Patanjali, Patanjali and Post Patanjali. The Eight Limbs of Yoga defined by Patanjali’s Sutras include: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
