An Introduction to The Philosophy of Yoga

 

Yoga is one of the six systems of Indian philosophy, an ancient art and science originating in India more than 6000 years ago. The word "Yoga" originates from the Sanskrit word "yuj" which means "union." On the spiritual plane, it means union of the Individual Self with the Universal Self, or the union of the body, mind, emotions and intellect.

 

 

"Yoga means union. The union of the individual soul with the Universal Spirit is yoga." - BKS Iyengar.

 

1. Origin and History

Ancient rishis (seekers and seers) found truth and inspiration in nature, and realised techniques to attain freedom from the burdens and attachments of the world while still existing in it. They believed that in order for man to be in harmony with himself and his environment, he has to integrate the body, the mind, and the spirit. For these three to be integrated, emotion, action and intelligence must be in harmony. Methods to transcend the human limitations of the body and mind, in order to open consciousness into higher realms of reality, were achieved through the philosophy and practice of yoga. The teachings were originally passed down through generations by word of mouth from guru (teacher) to chela (disciple), and the relationship between the teacher and student was life-long and revered.

 

 

 

 

 

The first written source including the term 'yoga' emerged over 4000 years ago in the sacred scriptures of ancient Sanskrit hymns and poems of the Tantras and later the Vedas. Further writings, the Upanisads (written between 400 and 200 BC), consisting of 108 authentic books in total, are the final part of the Vedas and bring clearer definition to the journey of yoga. In essence, these teachings reveal that the soul is the core of all of us, and that we are all connected. At this point however, there was still random instructional methods to impart these teachings from guru to chela on a practical level. It was not until the rishi Patanjali compiled existing yoga practices that had been handed down to him, along with knowledge contained in the Vedas and Upanisads, that yoga was given a systemised and comprehensive format. 

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali created the essential foundations of yoga as we know it today, and provides us with the essential philosophy of Astanga (asta - 'eight';anga - 'limb) - the 'eight limbs' or steps, as a profound structure for an aspirant to follow. These Sutras were and are still considered a most profound and enlightening study of the human psyche. Patanjali shows how through the practice of Yoga, we can transform ourselves, gain mastery over the mind and emotions, overcome obstacles to our spiritual evolution and attain the goal of yoga: liberation from the bondage of worldly desires. Written in Sanskrit, many commentaries and translations have been written over the centuries by various scholars and practitioners; each interpreting as per their era and understanding.

 

 

 

 

2. The Eight Limbs of Astanga Yoga

Sage Patanjali's exposition consists of just 196 terse yoga sutras (aphorisms), which cover all aspects of life. The eight aspects (astanga) of yoga are :

 1. Yama: universal, ethical and moral restraints

 2. Niyama : personal moral and social conduct

 3. Asanas : postures

 4. Pranayama : regulation of breath

 5. Pratyahara : sensory withdrawal

 6. Dharana : concentration

 7. Dhyana : meditation

 8. Samadhi : the ultimate state of enlightenment / self realisation

3. Traditions & Styles of Yoga

There are said to be 4 main paths (Margas), according to the Bhagavad Gita, by which to reach the ultimate goal of Yoga - Kaivalya (solitariness or detachment, being in a continuous state of samadhi). From the main four, many traditions or styles of yoga have emerged, but Hatha yoga is the most prominent among Westerners who, when they talk of yoga, are really referring to Hatha yoga. With the words 'ha', meaning sun and 'tha' meaning moon, hatha is commonly translated as the yoga that brings the 'union of the pairs of opposites'. Sometimes it is also referred to as 'forceful' yoga because it requires much physical effort. The purpose of yoga, however, is homogeneous regardless of which tradition or branch is followed by seekers: connection, communion, spiritual awakening and ultimately enlightenment to a higher consciousness. The solitary aim of yoga is moksha (freedom), or spiritual liberation, but the myriad of benefits both physically, mentally and spiritually cannot be disregarded in the journey itself.

 

 

 

 

These are the four main paths of yoga:

 1. Bhakti yoga (Bhakti Marga) – the path of devotion.

 2. Karma yoga (Karma marga) – the path of action and selfless work.

 3. Raja yoga (Yoga Marga) – the path of meditation and mastery of the mind, where all the activities of the mind are studied and brought under control.

 4. Jnana yoga (Jnana Marga) – the path of knowledge and wisdom, in which one learns to discriminate between what is real and what is illusory.

 

From these have come the various paths of yoga which can be followed:

 * Hatha yoga is the yoga of postures.

 * Mantra yoga involves reciting sacred syllables to reach perfection.

 *Laya yoga involves absorption in God to experience ultimate bliss.

 * Kundalini yoga aims at awakening the cosmic power residing in the muladhara chakra at the base of the spine.

Various schools of styles of Yoga have grown around each of these paths, and in their methodology they emphasise different aspects, or a combination of these paths. Usually these schools are established by renowned teachers or gurus and reflect their methodologies in the ways of practice, teaching and following the path of yoga. Some of the most well known modern schools or styles of yoga include: Iyengar, Astanga, Vini, Ananda, Anusara, Bikram, Integral, Kali Ray Tri, Kripalu, Kundalini and Sivananda. Three of the most popular schools today - Iyengar, Astanga and Vini Yoga - were all developed by students of Sri T. Krishnamacharya.
 

Particular styles or methods may be considered more effective than others or may suit an individual's temperament better. That said, it must always be remembered that all these are merely different methods of reaching for the same ultimate goal. They are all aspects of the overall philosophy of Yoga.

 

4. The Basic Elements of Yoga Practice

 

"Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self-realization.Yoga means union - the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul.  Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions." - B.K.S. Iyengar, Astadala Yogamala

Regardless of which path a seeker decides to follow, the following are basics which help to understand a little more about what yoga practice entails.

 

 

 

 

 

Asana

 

Postures to physically train the body, with two main objectives to achieve: allowing the body to remain comfortable in at least one asana suited for longer periods of time for meditation, and secondly to bring health and energy to the body by opening the nadis (channels of prana in the subtle body). Mastering asana strengthens the power of will and concentration, opening the path to Pranayama and Pratyahara. 

 

 

 

Pranayama

 

"Prana" is the breath of life. Pranayama is the exercise of breathing techniques to result in the mastery of the breath. If the breath is mastered, mastery of the mind is within reach. Through pranayama, the flow of prana or vital life force through the body is regulated. The breath is considered the vital link between the physical and subtle bodies, because it carries the energy of prana. Pranayama also brings balance to the left and right brain hemispheres, and activates the energy of Kundalini. It is an essential precursor to sensory withdrawal, concentration and meditation.

 

 

 

 

 

Meditation (Dyana)

 

The practice of freeing the mind from the restlessness of scattered thoughts in order to clarify and look within to connect to our internal source of wisdom and divinity. Meditation is a meeting with the self in its fullness, and a living exploration of the divine life force within. There are two types of meditation, concentrated or saguna (with qualities) and and abstract or nirguna (without qualities). In the former, the mind concentrates or focuses on a concrete or definite object or image, in the latter the mind is absorbed in focusing not on any definitive object, but rather on the absolute oneness of the universe.

 

 

 

 

The Chakras

Chakra means "wheel" or "circle". Along the length of the susumna nadi (central spinal channel / meridian of prana within the subtle body that flows vertically from the perineum to the crown of the head) there are seven chakras. These chakras correspond with the key nerve centres of the outer physical body, and are like cores of pranic energy, each signifying a different level of awareness. Through asana, pranayama and meditation, the susumna nadi is cleansed, allowing pure energy to flow freely through it, opening and activating the chakras at it ascends, and raising consciousness and spiritual awakening from the lower to the higher self.

The benefits of a yoga practice on the health of an individual are indisputable. Physically, asana and pranayama help relieve stress and tension, improve posture, circulation, flexibility, digestion, raise energy levels & increase general wellbeing. An adventure in awareness, yoga helps us to relax, revitalise, connect, balance, align and breathe.

 

 

 

 

 

"For those wounded by civilization, yoga is the most healing salve." - T. Guillemets.

6. The Journey of Yoga

Yoga is a living process. The heart of Yoga does not lie in visible attainments; it lies in learning and exploring. Learning is a process, a movement, while attainments are static. One is internally learning about the whole field of life using the energy systems of one's mind and body to find out how one works and how universal patterns express themselves through individuals. Yoga also involves the process of freeing one's energy, moving out of the blocks and binds that limit one both physically and mentally. Freeing oneself is part of the process of self-knowledge for one's binds limit the nature of the exploration, just as releasing them permits learning to occur.