Yoga originated in ancient India over 4000 years ago and is described in early Hindu scriptures. It was systematically compiled by Sage Patanjali around 150 BC. Yoga involves eight limbs including physical postures, regulated breathing, meditation, and achieving self-realization. The physical aspects of yoga like poses help relax the body and mind, while the deeper spiritual practices of meditation and breath control allow practitioners to experience higher states of consciousness and union with the divine. Regular yoga practice has benefits for both physical and mental health and well-being.

1. YOGA an overview

2. Yoga: IntroductionOrigin: Yoga is originated from Veda, oldest scripture of India (4000 B.C.) and systematically presented by Sage Patanjali in Yogasutra in around 150 B.C.Founder: Hiranyagarbha is the founder of yoga. Sage Patanjali: Patanjali, an Indian sage is the compiler of Yoga Science. He wrote ‘Yogasutra’ containing 195 verses divided in four chapters. It is believed that he was an incarnation of Adishesha, a mythological God. Scholars such as S. N. Dasgupta, claims this is the same Patanjali who authored the Mahabhasya, a treatise on Sanskrit grammar.

3. Yoga DefinitionsAccording to Yogasutra of Patanjali: ‘ Yoga is restraint of the activities of the mind.’ According to Bhagavad-Gita Yoga : ‘Evenness (of mind) is Yoga” (2/48). ‘Yoga is Skillfulness in Action’. (2/50)

4. There are basically four paths which all lead to the same goal, the attainment of the ultimate Reality. These paths are:Karma-Yoga - The Yoga of Action

5. Bhakti-Yoga - The Yoga of Devotion

6. Gyana-Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge

7. Raja-Yoga - The Royal yoga PathHatha-Yoga - The Physical YogaKinds of Yoga

8. Yama (Restraints)Niyama (Observances)Asana (Body Postures) External PartsPranayama (Regulation of Breath)Pratyahara (Abstraction of senses)Dharana (Concentration)Dhyana (Meditation) Internal PartsSamadhi (Self-realization)Eightfold path of Patanjali ( Ashtanga yoga )

9. Yama and NiyamaRestraints (Yama): Rules of social disciplineAhimsa Non-harming

10. Satya Truthfulness

11. Asteya Non-stealing

12. Brahmacharya Continence

13. Aparigraha Non-possessiveness Observances (Niyama):Rules of individual discipline. Shauch Cleanliness

14. Santosh Contentment

15. Tapa Austerity

16. Svadhyaya Inner exploration

17. Ishvar-pranidhan Surrender to the GodAsana(Body Posture)Asana is the Sanskrit word for ‘Posture’.Classification Meditative Relaxing Cultural Postures Postures Posturese.g.Shavasana, Makarasanae.g.Padmasana, Siddhasanae.g. Bhujangasana,Ushtrasanavishalyogi

18. Pranayama (Regulation of breath)Pranayama means, ‘a pause in the movement of breath’. For getting success in Pranayama, perfection in practice of asana is prerequisite.Some important practices of Pranayam are-Ujjayi BhramariBhastrikaSheetaliBenefits: The regulation of breath(pranayama) gives to body lightness and turning away of the senses from material objects. It increases the spiritual power and confers cheerfulness and inner peace.vishal

19. Dhyana(Meditation)‘Dhyanam nirvishayam manah’ - That state of the mind, wherein there are no Vishayas or sensory thoughts, is meditation. Sthuladhyana: Contemplation of the image

20. Sukshmadhyana: Contemplation of the Serpent power