Yoga Basics and Benefits

Yoga Basics

• Yoga is a union of the body, mind, and spirit
• It is the oldest physical discipline in existence known to humanity, originating in ancient India

Benefits of Yoga

• Provides stability to the body
• Increases lubrication of joints, ligaments, and tendons
• Offers complete conditioning to the body
• Massages all internal organs and glands
• Reduces the risk of many diseases
• Can create a permanently positive difference to one's lifestyle
• Ensures overall health and physical fitness

Types of Yoga

• Meditation: Breathing exercises (pranayamas) to banish stress and lead a healthy life
• Asanas: Exercise of muscles at strategic locations
• Pranayama: Breathing exercises to increase lung capacity

Yoga Benefits Over Time

• Positive effects on health and mind are visible over time
• Offers a wide choice of asanas
• Can be tailored to individual stamina and overall health
• Is a medication without actual use of medicines
• Has no visible side effects

Practicing Yoga Safely

• Important to know the most appropriate asanas for one's ability and body structure
• Must know the right way of performing asanas to avoid sprains and injuries

Consciousness Connection

• A state of yoga, characterized by a joyful and blissful fulfilling experience

Defining Yoga

• No single definition of yoga
• Classical definitions of yoga reveal a part of the ocean of knowledge and experience that forms the yogic path
• Each definition of yoga reveals a part of the yogic path

Presence of Yoga

• Yoga is present in various traditions, including folk, Vedic, Upanishadic, Buddhist, Jain, Darshanas, Ramayana, Mahabharata (including Bhagavad Gita), and theistic traditions of Shaivas, Vaishnavas, and Tantric traditions.

Systemization of Yoga

• Maharishi Patanjali systematized and codified existing Yogic practices, meaning, and related knowledge through Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.
• After Patanjali, many sages and Yoga masters contributed to the preservation and development of Yoga through documented practices and literature.

Global Reach of Yoga

• Yoga has spread globally through the teachings of eminent Yoga masters from ancient times to the present day.
• Millions of people worldwide have benefited from Yoga, and its practice is growing more vibrant every day.

History and Evolution of Yoga

• Yoga is more than 5000 years old, with evidence found in the oldest civilization of Indus-Saraswati (3000 B.C.).
• Yoga was invented by 'Rishi Munis' for meditation, and it has a positive impact on the body.
• Yoga has evolved in many forms over the past 5000 years.

Four Paths of Yoga

• The four main paths of Yoga are:
  • Jana Yoga
  • Bhakti Yoga
  • Karma Yoga
  • Raj Yoga

Periods of Yoga Evolution

• The evolution of Yoga is divided into three periods:
  • Pre-Patanjali Period (Before 500 B.C.)
  • Patanjali Period (500 B.C. to 800 A.D.)
  • Post Patanjali Period (800 A.D. onwards)