YOGA IN DETAIL
What is Yoga
Yoga chitta vritti nirodhaha (Patanjali-Definition of Yoga)
"Yoga is the cessation of mental modification".
Samatvam Yoga Uchyate (Bhagavat Geeta-Definition of Yoga)
"Equanimity is called Yoga"
Various streams of Yoga
There are various streams of Yoga (Yog), out of which Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga are popular across world. Raja yoga (Also called Ashtanga Yoga) is considered as top level of yogic practice as it include 8 steps, that helps a yogi (sadhaka) to bring balance in panchakosha's, and finally to attain his/her destination,that's Samadhi (Moksha/Liberation).
Hatha Yoga is another school, that which more focusses upon awakening of kundalini through various chakra's by the practice of various physical postures (Asanas), Shat Kriyas (6 cleansing practices), Pranayama (Breathing control techniques), Bandhas (Physical locks), Mudras (Physical or Hand gestures).
Kundalini Yoga is the tool to awaken dormant energy which lies at the root chakra (at perineum). By the activation of this energy, it starts to ascend through the Naadi called Sushumna (Middle energy channel).
Even though there are various schools in yoga, the ultimate goal of all is to achieve moksha (Liberation). But scientist's are studying it's effect upon various physiological and aspects and it's ability to cure diseases.
Yoga as Medical Profession
Yoga is becoming important tool in health profession. In India, it's Accepted as medical degree course named BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences) under the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) department. BNYS is a 5-1/2 years medical degree course, that runs under various universities and institutes.
In medical field Yoga has wide opportunity, as all the diseases are accompanied by a common thing called "stress". There will be two chances, either a disease is produced due to stress, or disease will produce stress. In both cases, Yoga plays it's important role for as anti stress tool. Stress is major threatening factor in today's generation.
Lack of physical activity along with improper dietary habits accompanied by wide varieties of mental and physical tensions may leads to exhaustion of normal individuals. Mentally tired persons will get easily exhausted physically too. living in serene atmosphere is not only necessary, but also compulsory to maintain health or for preventing disease.
Yoga have wide varieties of tools to calm down the mind and body, such as Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, Mudra, Shat-Kriyas and Meditation. all these tools works on different layers of one's body, that's called Panchakosha's.
Panchakoshas
According to Yogic philosophy, a individual is made of 5 layers or sheaths of body, which is called as Panchakosha's. They are as follows,
1. Annamaya Kosha | Physical body
2. Pranamaya Kosha | Energy body
3. Manomaya Kosha | Mental body
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha | Intellectual body
5. Anandamaya Kosha | Spiritual body
Yoga says, one who healthy needs to attain balance in all these 5 layers / sheaths, rather than just accomplishing perfection in physical body, which is temporary and altered easily when any one of the other layers get's imbalance.
Summary
The word meaning of yoga is "to join", Definition of Yoga by Patanjali is "Yoga chitta vritti nirodhaha", which means "yoga is the cessation of mental movement". according to Bhagavat geeta, "Samattvam yoga uchyathe", means-"equanimity is called Yoga". There are various streams for across the world, out of which Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga are popular,but aim of all these are one, that's to attain liberation. Even though Yoga is considered as a tool for spiritual processes, it's having it's popularity in health aspects, as yoga is one of the best tool to overcome stress through the practice of different techniques, that brings balance in the 5 layers of body called Panchakosha's.
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