The word yoga comes from Sanskrit Yuj, which means union or union. Yoga is a combination of body breathing and mind, and it is a harmonious state at every level of our existence. Yoga means the combination with the id.
Yoga, an ancient science, originated from the in-depth exploration and research of ancient Indian sages. In-depth research and meditation practice helped them reach a state of consciousness, and the mystery of a happier and more meaningful life emerged. Sages call this mysterious and sacred knowledge yoga. In this modern age, the essence of this sacred knowledge is simplified as turning the body into an unimaginable posture and labeling it as yoga. However, as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, yoga is not only exercise and posture, but also an emotional fusion, a spiritual improvement, with mysterious elements, which can let you see things beyond all imagination.
Knowledge of yoga can be found in the Vedas and Upanishads, dating back more than 10,000 years. The earliest tradition of keeping oral knowledge was passed on to excellent people and never recorded. The word yoga first appeared in Upanishads. As we know it today, yoga is regarded as an inner journey or an improvement of consciousness.
Although yoga originated in India, its knowledge transcends all religions and cultures. No matter what its source is, it is widely used, whether it is scientific knowledge or spiritual knowledge.
Yoga, as a concept, emerged slowly and was mentioned in detail in the Bhagavad-gita and Mahabharata. Before Mahabharata and Bhagavad-gita, there were more than 20 Upanishads and yoga that thought yoga was a combination of mind and supreme consciousness. Although yoga was practiced in the pre-Vedic period, it was not until the classical period that the great sage patanjali sorted out the significance and related knowledge of yoga practice at that time in the Yoga Sutra.
Because traditional knowledge is passed down orally, there is no written version of the early Vedas. It is precisely because this sacred ancient book is passed down from mouth to mouth and its teaching is kept secret that many yoga techniques have been lost and the origin of this ancient science has been buried deeply.
Next, according to the time axis, I will talk about the definition of yoga in different periods.
Yoga in Vedic Period
There are four important works in the Vedic period, which enable ordinary people to master the highest knowledge in the simplest way. Vedas are the source of all knowledge, including yoga.
Yoga in this period was demonstrated by Vedic saints who used to be ascetic monks through religious ceremonies and ceremonies attended by ordinary people in various ways.
Preclassical yoga
Pre-classical period is considered as the richest and most famous period in the history and development of yoga. The Upanishads and the Bhagavad-gita in this period were recorded in written form, and yoga has now crossed the ritual category and turned from the external world to the internal world.
Many Upanishads mention yoga and yoga skills.
In the key chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, God Krishna told not only Arjuna, but also all human beings that yoga can return to calm under any circumstances, and further expounded that yoga is a skilled movement, a skill in life, managing your mind and handling your emotions, and yoga brings skills to your behavior and communication. The Bhagavad Gita states that wisdom yoga and dedication yoga are the supreme methods.
Yoga in the classical period
The most wonderful part of the classical period is the Yoga Sutra by Saint patanjali. Apart from all aspects of yoga, it mainly determines the branch of yoga, which is put forward to lead sincere freedom seekers to liberation and samadhi. In the Yoga Sutra, Batayan defines yoga as stopping the ups and downs of ideology.
The sage Ved Vyasa also wrote a very important comment on the Yoga Sutra, called Yoga Pacha. This period witnessed the changes brought about by mastering the mind through yoga practice. This period witnessed the process of mastering the mind, which was clearly expounded through yoga practice.
Yoga in the post-classical period
Post-classical period This period strengthened the existing yoga. Many works that exist today belong to this era. Yoga practitioners such as wisdom yoga, dedication yoga, hatha yoga and king yoga were popularized during this period.
Modern yoga
Vedanta, devotional yoga and hatha yoga have further flourished in modern times. In today's era, the general public is looking at yoga with respect again and taking it as a choice to promote and maintain health. Many great men teach yoga, and yoga has spread to every corner of the world.
Shankar, a modern Indian yoga master, founded Shili Shili Yoga. Shili Shili Yoga is integrated into the Vedic tradition-the root of yoga-and has a long-standing master, so that people of different ages, abilities, cultures and religious backgrounds can easily understand yoga and apply it to modern life, surpassing the yoga experience and the application of yoga mats. Master Guruji's vision is to bring real yoga education to the world. Guruji's yoga method is a combination of simple practice, service and basic principles of Sanskrit. This unique method can make people grow sturdily and make social and humanistic values bloom. Just like a flower bud, human life has the potential to bloom, and the full play of human potential is yoga.
Yoga is both a journey and a goal. Just as all rivers lead to the ocean, all paths of yoga lead to the realization of the id.