The term “Yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “Yuj”, which means to join or unite.
“युज्यते अनेन इति योगः” “Yujyate anena iti yogah" – which implies, Yoga is the joining of the Individual Self, Jivatma with the Universal Self, Paramatma.
Many people in modern times think of yoga as just a physical practice that can help one become physically fit. But the deeper purpose of yoga practice isspiritual and intended to help unite the individual soul with the universal consciousness that is enhanced in their ways of living.
Yoga is a set of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India. Yoga is one among the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. The origin of yoga has been dated back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions. Presence of Yoga is observed in Indus valley civilization, Vedas, and Upanishads, Darshanas, Ramayana & Mahabharata, Buddhism and Jainism scriptures.
According to Patanjali Yoga Sutra (1.2), “योगः चित्त वृत्ति निरोधः” “Yogas-Chitta-Vritti Nirodhah” Yoga is a conscious process of gaining mastery over the mind.
According to Yoga Vasishtha (3.9.32) “मनः प्रशम्नोऽपायः योग इत्याभीधीयते” “Manah Prashamanopayah Yoga Ityabhidhiyate”, Yoga is a skillful trick to calm down the mind.
According to Bhagavad Gita (2.50), it is, “योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्” “Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam”, Yoga is dexterity in action - a way of maintaining relaxation and awareness in action.
Performing actions, renouncing attachments, and staying even minded in success or failure.
This subtle state of mind featured by steadiness is referred to as Yoga.
Yoga is a state of great steadiness at emotional level; balance of concentration and detachment at mental level and homeostasis at body level. It integrates the personality by bringing body-mind coordination in a well-balanced way.
Sri Aurobindo emphasizes an all-round personality development; at the physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Thus Yoga, in its general is systematic process for accelerating the growth of man to divine heights, includes techniques useful for therapeutic application in making man healthier.
In modern and postmodern era because of increased speed and stress of life there is remarkable increase in various diseases especially the psychosomatic diseases. Also modern man is learning the futility and harmful side of running after the material things and desires. In search of solution for these problems he has realized that Yoga can help them very effectively. Hence, Yoga is becoming popular in all parts of the world.
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