What Is Yoga?
Yoga is a practice that has been around for thousands of years, linking body, mind and spirit. The term “Yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “Yuj”, meaning to yoke, join, or union. Traditionally, Yoga refers to the union of an individual self (Atman) with universal consciousness (Brahman).
Yoga is not simply a form of physical exercise — it is a holistic lifestyle and spiritual journey, one that teaches:
discipline of mind and body
- harmony with yourself and the universe
- awareness of breath, movement, and thought
- detachment from ego and distractions of things
Benefits of Yoga
1. Physical Benefits
Increases flexibility, strength and balance, Improves immunity and energy levels, Aids in cardiovascular and respiratory function
2. Mental & Emotional Benefits
Reduces stress and anxiety, Improves focus and clarity of thought , Helps to stabilize emotions and improve mindfulness
3. Spiritual Benefits
Facilitates inner peace and self-awareness, Aids connection with a deeper sense of purpose, Fosters self-realization and spiritual awakening
Origins of yoga
Yoga is over 5,000 years old and came from ancient India, with great inspiration from Hindu philosophy.
Major Sources:
- The Vedas – Hindu hymns (Sruti) that mention meditation and spirituality.
- The Upanishads – Which introduced deeper meanings of self-realization and internal awareness.
- The Bhagavad Gita – which describes the forms on yoga – Karma (action), Bhakti (devotion) and Jnana (knowledge) as forms of yoga.
- Patanjali‘s Yoga Sutras – Paintroduced yoga as Eight Limbs (Ashtanga Yoga), and separated the practice of yoga into mental discipline, ethics and meditation.