Yoga is the way of life. Explain this in 300 words.
Answers
Yoga is the way of life
Yoga is an ancient science of body postures and mental concentration whose chief purpose is optimal self-realization and self-actualization. However, yoga is the most miscomprehended and misunderstood concept, not only in India, but throughout the world. The word ‘Yoga’ conjures up the images of ascetics, or yoga gurus doing some arduous physical postures or asnas! Only bending, stretching, moving, etc. of various body parts in association of certain breathing exercises is not the totality of Yoga. The word ‘Yoga’ in the entirety of its meaning, includes regulating and channeling mental forces towards the direction of merging the petty self with the infinite Universe and becoming one with IT.
The literal meaning of Yoga according to the Vedas is ‘union’. The reward of this union with the Universe is the unfolding and blossoming of our potential to its fullest and optimal level. In the famous documentary on mediation ‘Spiritual Reality: Journey Within’, many benefits of yoga have been enumerated upon. The documentary reveals how yoga replenishes and rejuvenates a yogi physically, mentally, and spiritually. In the state of perfect yoga one receives abundant cosmic energy, which heals, energizes, rejuvenates each and every cell, nerve, and organ of the physical, mental and spiritual body of a man. It cleanses the body of all the ills and toxins that might develop into some fatal ailments. It destresses the mental burdens. In nut shell we can say yoga is panacea to all ailments of body, mind, and soul.
Yoga was founded by the Sages and the Rishis or the spiritual leaders who had the courage to investigate the nature of man’s inner world. It was handed down from the “Sages” or the “Rishis” to their “Sisyaa” or students in the hope that it would help in the upliftment of mankind.
The ultimate and actual aim of Yoga is to attain ultimate freedom- the breaking free from the shackles of cause and effect which tie us to continual reincarnation.
Yoga helps one attain the absolute knowledge of the difference between the spiritual which is timeless, unchanging, and free of sorrows, and the material which is not. This and this alone can guarantee peace and tranquility.
Just as a government is unable to function without the support of its people similarly the body is unable to function if the controller that is the mind has lost control over its senses
Attainment of peace is only possible if the mind has absolute control on the senses. Yoga is a spiritual pursuit. In yoga, the physical body assumes paramount importance as it serves as an instrument of education for the mind and the nervous system.
All kinds yoga exercises and practices are not meant to show a muscular display of strength and agility. They are in reality meant to aim at control, purification, and also the coordination of the nervous system.
Regular practice of yoga leads to the purification of the gross body. The purification of the body itself leads to tremendous benefits related to the physical body. One gets relief from several physical ailments and more important one builds immunity which serves to prevent diseases.
Yoga is not just the practice of asana, pranayama, kriya and kundalini and other techniques, it is actually imbibing a way of life, thus improving the quality of life itself.