Yoga is an ancient Indian way of life. In which the work of bringing the body, mind, and soul together is done. Body, mind, and body can be completely healthy through yoga. Being healthy in all three makes you feel healthy. Not only diseases are diagnosed through yoga, but many physical and mental problems can also be overcome by adopting them.
Yoga in Upanishads
- If we talk about the Upanishads, then yoga played a major role in this. During this time two yogic disciplines got special fame. One is known as Karma Yoga and the other as Jnana Yoga. The Maitreya Upanishad defines yoga as using the breath and the mind to achieve the attainment of Om.
- Maitrayana presented Yoga in six forms – Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dhyana, Concentration, Chintan and Samadhi.
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Yoga in Bhagavad Gita
- The Bhagavad Gita is one such Yoga text in which the most comprehensive description of Yoga has been given in a very beautiful manner.
- Yoga is divided into three parts in the Gita: Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga.
- In the Bhagavad Gita, jnana yoga refers to meditation, and karma yoga refers to service-dharma.
- Most of the later chapters in the Gita tell about Bhakti Yoga.
Pre-Classical yoga
The concept of universal consciousness evolved from the spiritual teachings of the Upanishads. Where yoga is known by many names such as soul, divine self, God, pure awareness, seeker, witness, and the knower. In the middle of the pre-classical period, a school called the Samkhya arose in which a sage named Kapila developed the basis for the modern yogic worldview.
Patanjali yoga sutras
- Patanjali is known for his famous treatise, the Yoga Sutras, where the first systematic presentation of yoga was given.
- It is the father of modern yoga.
- Patanjali’s collection of 195 sutras provides the first practical treatise in daily life.
- According to Patanjali only hard work and intense meditation can remove human suffering and lead to liberation.
History of tantra yoga
- Tantra emerged early in the later period of the fourth century, indicating a radical departure from yoga philosophy.
- It rejected the concept of both Vedas and Sankhya.
- It focuses entirely on devotion, especially the worship of the goddess.
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Hatha yoga
- The principles of hatha yoga originated from tantra and included elements of Buddhism, Alchemy, and Shaivism.
- According to Hatha Yoga, it takes a lot of attention, discipline, and effort to unite the opposing forces and bring the body and mind together.
- A yogi named Goraksha is considered the father of Hatha Yoga.
- Swamitaram Yogin, who calls himself a disciple of cow protection, wrote a book called Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which describes sixteen yogas, purification rituals, eight pranayamas, and ten mudras.
- The Geranda Samhita of Gheranda, based on the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, presents seven niyamas. It also describes 32 asanas and 25 postures.
- But the most democratic treatise on hatha yoga is the Shiva Samhita which emphasizes that even an ordinary householder can practice yoga and reap its benefits.
- Shiva Samhita has been told about 84 asanas and five types of prana.
