What is ‘Yoga’?

Hello friends! We at Gita Quest are here to discover our best friend, true guide and the most valuable asset of life - 'The Bhagwat Gita'.

Today, we will discuss one of the most important practices of Sanatan Dharm - 'Yoga'. In today's world, Yoga is portrayed in a limited form. But, it is a dynamic topic. So, we will explore Yoga from a larger perspective.

Is Yoga consist of only Aasana and Pranayama?

People have a conception that performing asanas is the only meaning of Yoga. But due to the lack of knowledge and guidance, we are not aware of the real meaning of Yoga. Yoga is a process

Yoga as a whole is divided into 8 parts, which is also known as 'Ashtang Yoga'. These 8 parts are as follows:

1. Yama (Obstinences)
2. Niyam (Observance)
3. Asana (Yogic Postures)
4. Pranayam (Breath Control)
5. Pratyahar (Withdrawal of Senses)
6. Dharna (Concentration)
7. Dhyan (Meditation)
8. Samadhi (Absorption)

The exercises such as 'Tadasana', 'Vajrasana', 'Chakrasana' etc are the Yogic postures we use for our inner as well as outer health. It's a part of Yoga. But, the complete process of Yoga is larger than just being an exercise.

The real meaning of Yoga

The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj', which means 'to connect'.

In Bhagwat Gita, Shri Krishna has beautifully explained that 'Yoga' is a medium to connect the soul with supreme being. 'Yogasanas' are really good for our fitness and it must be done by everybody. But, it's also important to understand the real purpose of Yoga in a larger context. It's a medium to attain the purpose of this human form.

What's the real purpose of this human life?

We as humans seek the purpose of our life. Being in this materialistic world, we are taught that the real purpose of life is to become either doctor, enginner or pilot etc. But, in all this struggle, we seek the only thing that is 'connection' through our relations.

The main purpose of the soul is to connect with god. And the reflection of it is seen in our day-to-day lives. Due to this, we all run daily and seek permanent relationships.

But we forget the fact that nothing's permanent and change is the constant law of nature. Therefore, to fulfill this need, the soul should connect with the supreme being.

Thus, Yoga is the medium that helps the soul to attain the real purpose of life. Here comes the larger perspective to understand Yoga as a whole. We all are a reality of this universe and we have to connect with the highest/ topmost reality of this entire universe through Yoga.

Why Bhagwat Gita?

Yoga is not a mystical topic, the process not much complex to understand and follow if there is the right mentor to guide us. Bhagwat Gita is the best guide for understanding Yoga.

In Bhagavat Gita Shri Krishna precisely explains the meaning of Yoga, the importance of Yoga in human life and the impact of it on one's Karma!

"The great warrior of Mahabharat 'Arjuna' was totally confused about the fight. And in between the battlefield, in front of both the parties, Shri Krishna has given a loud and clear message to Arjuna in form of Shrimad Bhagwat Gita which destroyed all the confusions and misunderstandings of him."

Herein, we have to understand that 'yoga' is all about realizing the existence and connection of the soul - as a reality with the higher reality. If one expects that merely connecting with the materialistic world will give eternal happiness and satisfaction in life, so that's not possible.

Conclusion

Therefore, we can conclude that the implementation of Yoga is the most beneficial thing in everyone's life. It's for physical, mental, emotional as well as spiritual development.

Yoga is not of any particular religion but it's for the sake of entire humanity. Shri Krishna is of entire humanity and his words are guidance for the entire humankind.

Thus, Yoga can be defined as "the understanding of our true self and our connection with God". There are several types of Yoga that we will discuss in our upcoming posts. Till then, stay tuned!!