YOGA - The way to joy, Happiness and Bliss

The sanskrit word yoga literally means 'to add' or 'union'. So Yoga , is the vehicle through which the Yogi (one who practices Yoga) is united with the divine spiritual dimension. If mankind is to save itself from its own aggressive tendencies, the path open is through the science of Yoga. Bodily exercises (asanas) breath control (pranayam) and mind control (dhyana) are all helpful to conquer physical and mental ills. The role of the mind in the creation of health and ill-health has been well emphasised by Ayurveda physician.Yoga is believed to be of pre-Aryan origin.

There are even archaeological evidences to show that Yogic disciplines flourished arround the Indus Valley Civilization which existed some 5000 years ago. One of the six systems of orthodox Indian philosophy said to have been founded by rishi Yajnavalka, later systemised by patanjali in his Yogasutra. It stored to teach disciplined meditation, certain rules of bodily and mental self discipline by which the soul (Jivatman) could attain supereme knowledge for mystic union with God (Paramatman).

Yoga embraces a wide range of disciplines whose ultimate goal is the joining of body,mind and spirit, a conscious unification into Oneness.Yoga is one of six classic systems of Hindu philosophy whose roots date back 5,000 years. There are four classic Yogas, and they are progressive in nature; i.e., Karma Yoga (right acts and actions), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Raja Yoga (meditation) and Jnana Yoga (inner wisdom or enlightenment). The classic four yogas have expanded into several other forms of Yoga.Hatha Yoga (worshipful poses), for example, is part of Raja Yoga training.

Some of the other forms of Yoga are Nada Yoga (music), Mantra and Japa Yoga (chanting and on beads)and Kundalini Yoga (study of the psychic centers or chakras).In the Western world, the most popular form is Hatha Yoga, (Sanskrit for “Union of Force”), a form of Yoga that stresses mastery of the physical body as a gateway to attaining spiritual perfection. Hatha Yoga traces its origins to Gorakhnath, the legendary 12th-century founder of the Kanphata Yogis. Its chief forms are :

Hatha Yoga - is through subjugation of body and channelizing the flow of energy (Prana) in the right direction towards self-knowledge.

Raja Yoga - is the restraint of fluctuations in the consciousness (Chitta)

Karma Yoga - is bringing salvation through work

Bhakti Yoga - through faith and devotion

Gayana Yoga - through knowledge

Mantra Yoga - through the use of mantras

The Laya Yoga - salvation through soundless sound by activizing the Spiritual centers (Chakras) in the body.

Yoga removes physical and mental tensions as these tensions are result of difference and dualities. The purpose of yoga is to enable us to rise above all senses of duality in whatever field we are International Yoga Week is celebrated at Rishikesh every year. Contact the government of India tourist officers details.