essay on importance of yoga
Answers
Well Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word, ‘YUJ’. It means to join, connect or unite. It is the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. Yoga is 5000 years old Indian philosophy. It was first mentioned in the oldest sacred text – The Rig Veda (Vedas were a collection of texts containing mantras, spiritual information, songs and rituals to be used by Brahmins, the Vedic priests.
Yoga is being practiced in the Indian society since thousands of years. A person doing yoga will move from one posture to the other called Asana. Yoga benefits people who practice it regularly.
The form of exercises performed in Yoga is called as ‘Asana’ which are capable of bringing about stability of body and mind. Yoga Asana are the simplest and easiest way to reduce our excess weight and keep fit.
ORIGIN OF YOGA
Yoga originated in ancient India thousands of years ago, long before the first religion or belief system was born. It is believed that Shiva is the first Yogi or Ad yogi and the first guru. Thousands of years ago, on the banks of Lake Kantisarovar in Himalayas, Ad yogi shared his knowledge into legendary seven sages as it was hard to put all his wisdom and knowledge in one person. The sages took this powerful yogic science to various parts of the world, including Asia, North Africa, Middle East, and South America. India is blessed to have found the yogic system in its fullest expression.
The fossil remains of Indus-Sarasvati civilization are an evidence of the presence of Yoga in ancient India. This presence finds a mention in the folk traditions. It is included in the Indus valley civilization, Buddhist and Jain traditions. According to the studies, Yoga was being practiced under the direct guidance of a Guru and its spiritual value was given a lot of importance. Sun was given the highest importance during Vedic period and that’s how Suryanamaskar was invented later on.
However, Maharishi Pantanal is known as the father of Modern Yoga. He did not invent Yoga as it was already there in various forms. He assimilated it into the system. He saw that it was getting quite complex for anyone to understand it in any meaningful way. So he assimilated and included all aspects into a certain format – Yoga Sutras.
The role of breath is very important in the practice of Asana or Yoga positions. Breath is a vital force and our body requirement of oxygen changes depending on our actions. If we exercise then we require more oxygen hence the breathing becomes faster and if we are relaxing then our breathing becomes relaxed and deep. In yoga, the focus is integrated on breath while indulging in slow movements as well as while doing complete Asana. Yoga promotes smooth and relaxed inhalation and exhalation during the practice.
Conclusion
Yoga is only partially understood as being limited to Asana. But people fail to realize the immense benefits Yoga offers in uniting the body, mind and breath. Yoga can be opted and practiced by any age group and any body size. It is possible for anyone to start. The size and the fitness level don’t matter as there are modifications for every yoga asana according to different people.
Classification of Yoga
Here is a look at the four main paths of yoga in brief to understand their importance.
KARMA YOGA – It is also known as ‘Discipline of Actions’ in the western culture. This form is one of the four essential pathways of Yoga. This teaches to perform one’s duty without getting attached to the fruit or reward by doing selfless activities and duties. This is the main lesson which is being taught to Karma yogis. It is for those who seek the spiritual path and seek union with God. It can be also practiced in our routine life by conducting one’s duty in a sincere manner without expecting the reward. This is the path of spiritual development. Basically Karma is the action we do and its subsequent reaction. A life of individual is governed by his karma cycle wherein if a person has good thoughts, good actions and good words he/she will lead a happy life where as if a person has bad thoughts, bad actions and bad words, he will lead an unhappy & difficult life. In today’s world it is very difficult to lead such a selfless life as human beings are prone to fruits of labor they do. These are the reason why we are facing problems like high stress, mental illness and depression. Karma Yoga teaches to get rid of all the materialistic paths and lead a happy and content life.
JNANA YOGA – It is also known as the ‘Wisdom Yoga’. It is a very difficult and complex path among all. This teaches a person to merge with the inner self by practicing various mental techniques by meditating into deep conscience mind and conducting self questioning sessions. It tells an individual to differentiate between permanent conscious and temporary materialistic world. This path teaches to steady the mind and emotions by focusing on 6 fundamental virtues – calmness, control, sacrifice, tolerance, faith and focus. It is often advised to practice Jnana Yoga under the guidance of a competent guru to achieve the goal and to perform it in the best way.
BHAKTI YOGA – Also known as ‘Spiritual or Devotional Yoga’. It is associated with divine love as it is the greatest pathway to spiritual enlightenment through love and devotion. In this path an individual sees God as the supreme expression and embodiment of love. Its main features are – to chant the lord’s name, singing his praise or bhajans and engaging in worship and ritual. It is the easiest and the most popular one. Bhakti Yoga leads to the purification of mind and heart and can be achieved by numerous mental & physical yoga practices. It also gives courage in adverse situations. It is basically developing compassionate feeling and focusing on purifying inner self with pure divine love.
KRIYA YOGA – It is the physical practice wherein several body postures are performed through meditation techniques of energy and breath control or pranayama. In this, the development of body, mind and soul takes place. By practicing the Kriya yoga the entire human system is energized in a short time. All the internal organs such as the liver, pancreas etc are activated. Necessary hormones and enzymes are secreted to keep body healthy. The blood absorbs high amount of oxygen and becomes de-carbonized quickly which helps in general well being and number of psychosomatic diseases are avoided. Through more circulation in the head, the brain cells are energized, the working capacity of brain is enhanced and the memory becomes sharp and a person does not get tired easily.
Conclusion
A Yoga guru or teacher can teach appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths as it is necessary for each seeker. Ancient sayings have stressed that it is essential to work under the directions of a Guru to attain the above mentioned Yoga paths.