Meaning of Yoga
The word Yoga itself is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, meaning “to bind”, “to join”, “to attach” and “yoke”. That Sanskrit root “yuj” also may mean “to direct and concentrate one’s attention on” or “to use and apply”. It also means “union” or “communion”. It can therefore be implied that the Meaning of Yoga or Definition of Yoga is the union of an Individual’s Consciousness (Jiva) with Universal Consciousness (Brahma).
There are many definitions of Yoga, which apply to all levels of existence and awareness be it for the mind, soul or body. There is no single definition of Yoga. In the various classical texts, there are many definitions of Yoga, often in poetic or metaphorical descriptions.
As put by Mahadev Desai, the personal secretary of Gandhi, in his introduction to the book “Gita according to Gandhi”, Yoga is: “the yoking of all the powers of the body, soul and mind to God; Yoga means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions, the will, which Yoga presupposes; Yoga means a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly.”
In the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, which is the most important authority on Yoga philosophy, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of Yoga as a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow. It is said in that chapter of the Bhagavad Gita:
“when his mind, intellect and self (ahamkara) are under control, freed from restless desire, so that they can rest in the spirit within, a man becomes a Yukta – one in communion with God. A lamp does not flicker in a place where no winds blow; so it is with a Yogi, who controls his mind, intellect and self, being absorbed in the spirit within him. When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the Yogi by the grace of the Spirit within himself finds fulfillment. Then he knows the joy eternal which is beyond the pale of the senses which his reason cannot grasp. He abides in this reality and moves not therefrom. He has found the treasure above all others. There is nothing higher than this. He who has achieved it, shall not be moved by the greatest sorrow. This is the real Meaning of Yoga – a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow.”
Just as diamonds has many facets or sides, each reflecting different colors of light, so does the word Yoga, each of its facets reflecting and revealing a different shade of meaning and different aspects of the entire range of human endeavor to have more inner peace, serenity and happiness.
Yoga has also been described as wisdom in work or skillful living with activities, balance and moderation. Yoga is described in the Kathopanishad (a scripture in the Upanishads that unveil the mystery of death and the meaning of life) as this: “When the senses are stilled, when the mind is at rest, when the intellect wavers not – then, say the wise, is reached the highest stage. This steady control of the senses and mind has been defined as Yoga. He who attains it is free from delusion.”
What is Yoga
Yoga is a method with which the restless mind is calmed and the energy is directed into constructive channels. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali stated that “Yoga is the cessation of the whirlpools of the mind”.
Inclusive in all the various definitions and meanings of Yoga, is the implication that Yoga is a way of life. Nowadays, it is common for people to associate Yoga with a form of physical practice such as Hatha Yoga or a stretching session. Yoga is so much more. Yoga integrates all aspects of self, the mind, soul, body, emotions, everything. Everything is connected. Therefore, even when a person practices Yoga just for its physical benefits, there is no escape from the other aspects of self included in Yoga.
There are six main branches in Yoga which help make it more accessible for people from all walks of life to participate in Yoga. As was said earlier, the aim of Yoga is to unify singular consciousness with Universal Consciousness, to create more harmony, inner peace and balance in life as we know it and because of that, there are many branches or pathways of Yoga that lead to that goal.
Six Branches of Yoga
1) Hatha Yoga:
- This is probably the most common and familiar path of Yoga. This branch of Yoga utilizes Meditation techniques, Breathing techniques or Pranayama and Asana or Yoga poses to create better health, balance and serenity to mind, soul and body.
- Within Hatha Yoga itself there are many styles: Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Jiva Mukti Yoga and others.
2) Bhakti Yoga or Yoga of Devotion:
- This is probably the path of Yoga most followed in India, with its foundation built around the heart and devotion. People who practice Bhakti Yoga see the Divine in everyone and everything and develop love and acceptance for everyone and everything and devote themselves to Brahma or Universal Consciousness.
3) Raja Yoga:
- This path of Yoga is the Yoga of self control. “Raja” means king or royal. It is considered to be the King of Yoga and is based wholely on the Eight Limbs of Yoga found in the Yoga Sutras.
- Raja Yoga requires a lot of discipline as its rules are strict and a lot of abstinence and self control is needed in many aspects of life.
4) Jnana Yoga or Yoga of Knowledge:
- Jnana Yoga involves the pursuit of true knowledge and focusing on intelligence to control your mind and senses and center yourself in your spiritual self in order to be free from the bondage of the cycles of rebirth.
- Jnana Yoga is suited for people who are deeply intellectual. The real knowledge or true knowledge referred to is the knowledge that helps us overcome our egoistic attitude and desires and help us realize who we really are.
5) Karma Yoga or Yoga of Selfless Service:
- This Yoga basically involves the act of selfless service to others, in which the Ego is given up entirely to the desire to serve. The major facets of Karma Yoga is the work done and the attitude in which it is done.
- The root of the word Karma is the Sanskrit “Kri” which literally means “to do”. The foundation of Karma heavily relies on action because the belief is that past actions have consequences and influences one’s progression in life.
- Therefore by doing Karma Yoga and selflessly serving others now, one will free themselves negativity and selfishness.
6) Tantra Yoga or Yoga of Rituals:
- Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the paths, Tantra Yoga is about using rituals to experience what is sacred. Although sex can be a part of it, sex is not the whole of it since this yoga path aims to find what is sacred in everything we do. Tantra Yogis must possess certain qualities like purity, humility, devotion, dedication to his Guru, cosmic love, and truthfulness among other things.
- The aim of Tantra Yoga is to expand awareness in all states of consciousness, whether waking state, dream state or sleep state.
- Tantra Yoga teaches us to understand what influences our thoughts and emotions and to go beyond the obstacles in our evolution that arises from ignorance, ego and attachment to our sense
- By refining thoughts and emotions by means of Tantra Yoga rituals and practices, one learns to create serenity, harmony and balance within one’s self.
So perhaps now it is clearer that Yoga is not just a form of physical practice, yoga isn’t just about meditation or clearing your mind and yoga isn’t just about what it is commonly thought of. Yoga is about so much more and can be accessed from so many pathways depending on what an individual is more suited for.
You can think of Yoga as a Tree of Life. The whole tree is you whole life. There are many branches and leaves of the tree, just as in life. The roots of the tree are the different pathways of Yoga. Therefore, all the roots or pathways of the tree or Yoga lead to nurturing and cultivating all the various areas and aspects of your life. That is what Yoga is about.