Today everyone knows what yoga is but their understanding is mostly limited to physical postures, known as Asanas. But does yoga means physical poses? To find the answer we need to understand the definitions of yoga in the ancient texts. These ancient texts are giving a powerful message of yoga which is much deeper than what we understand. Yoga is a word from Sanskrit language which means join, 2 or more things are needed to join. And when 2 or more objects are joined, then it becomes one object. There is connection and harmony between 2 objects which have become one. So yoga is all about oneness, experience of oneness, feeling of harmony.
1. ASHTANGA YOGA - IN YOGA SUTRAS, PATANJALI DEFINES YOGA AS
“Yogah Chitta Vritti Nirodhah” - Chitt – mind, Vritti – functioning of mind, Nirodha –control Yoga is to control the functioning of the mind. We have our thoughts, emotions, feelings and conditionings in the mind. It is very difficult to control. Yoga is the technique to control all these functions of the mind.
BHAGAVAD GITA – LORD KRISHNA DEFINES YOGA
Lord Krishna defines yoga as “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” – Samatva – balanced state, Uchyate – said to be
Yoga is a balanced state. Yoga is a balanced state of the body and mind. Yoga is a balanced state of emotions. Yoga is a balanced state of thoughts and intellect. Yoga is a balanced state of behaviour. We are excited in the situation of pleasure and we become sad when it is a negative situation. Yoga is to maintain equilibrium of the mind in any situation. This equanimity of mind is the ultimate objective of yoga.
3. BHAGAVAD GITA- LORD KRISHNA GIVES ANOTHER DEFINITION OF YOGA.
Lord Krishna gives another definition of yoga. “Yogah karmasu kaushalam” – karma – action / behavior / any change in time and space, kaushalam – skill / efficiency / perfect or appropriate behavior
Yoga is perfectly skilled action or behavior. Perfect action is positive action for our evolution and positive life. Perfect action leads to positive health on a physical and mental level. All our actions should be to avoid negative experiences in life, so any behaviour causing negative experience should be avoided. For example, getting angry is harmful for our body and mind, and therefore should be controlled. If stress and anxiety are bad for health then our action should be such that stress and anxiety does not disturb that positive state of mind.