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Yoga is a practice that people do keep their bodies in shape. All of the
elements of Yoga were inherited form the practice of Hinduism. Ethnic
principles, and body principles, along with spiritual guidance and philsophy are
just some of the features associated with Yoga. Yoga is usually taught, by a
person called a "Guru". Their intentions are to teach people how to obtain a
quieter state of mind through meditation. Quiet breathing and chanting
"mantras" are practiced to help the person get to the "quiet" state of mind.
Yoga is supposed to lead a person to better health, and a calmer, more
emotional well-being. Mental clarity and a joy in living are the main thoughts
imposed upon a person who practices Yoga. The steps in Yoga ultimately are
supposed to lead to an advanced state of meditation called "samadhi".
All the goals of Yoga are expressed in different ways among a lot of
different traditions. In Hinduism the main thought is that yoga brings people
closer to God. In Buddhism practices, yoga is supposed to help people get a
deeper sense of wisdom, compassion, and insight. In some of the farther Western
countries, individualism is the strongest emphasis, so yoga would help people
there get a better meaning in themselves. But, the ultimate goal of yoga is to
actually attain liberation, from any type of suffering and/or the cycle of birth
and death.
The word "yoga" derives from a sacred root of "Sanskrit", which in English
means "yoke". The general translation of yoga is a "union of the individual
with the universal soul". The diversity of yoga involves many subdivisions, but
everyone would agree that "the path to enlightenment" is the best suited phrase
for yoga.
A common theme of yoga is the practice of concentration. The concentration
is mainly focused on one point of sensation. When you sustain this
"concentration" for a long enough period of time you will reach, what is called
"meditation". Most meditators express deeper feelings of joy, peace, and
self-oneness. The focus of meditation differs between yoga teachers. Some may
focus more on peaceful thoughts, spiritualism, or a better sense of well-being,
while others will focus on the more physical aspects like, different types of
stretches for getting the body into being more fit. All would agree though that
meditation for either the spiritual part or physical part of yoga is the most
practiced.
A little bit of history on yoga comes from the Indus Valley Civilization that
was around somewhere in between six or seven thousand years ago. The earliest
accounts of yoga were documented in the Rig Veda. This was a certain type of
writing used back around 1500 to 2000 BC. However, the full description of yoga
was first found in the "Upinasads" composed around the eighth century before
Christ. The main thought of the Upinasads was that they constituted the end or
conclusion of the "traditional body of spiritual wisdom". The Upinasads used to
offer sacrifices and hold certain types of ceremonies to appease the Gods. They
used the thought that man could please the external gods by these sacrifices and
in return that they would become one with the Supreme Being, through moral
culture, restraint, and a stronger training of their minds.
With all the different types and practices of yoga, one person has so many
types to choose from. Whether they want a more peaceful inner self, a stronger
sense of well-being, or a body that will be put into better shape. All
practices contain a characteristic designed for each purpose. While some
practices are argued about, all have one thing in common, it is practiced
regularly around the world by many, and it is growing more popular every day.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga
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