The word yoga means ‘oneness’ or ‘oneness’ which is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’. Yuj means ‘to join’.
Lord Krishna has said in the Gita “Yoga: Karmasu Kaushalam” which means that through yoga one becomes proficient in one’s actions. On a practical level, yoga is a means of achieving balance and harmony in the body, mind and emotions.
Yoga is a thousand-year-old Indian style of knowledge. Thousands of idols are still in authentic form in relation to this in the state of yoga. The word Yoga is mentioned many times in the Bhagavad Gita. Evidence of yoga has been found in some form or the other in Indus Valley, Vedic civilization and Buddhist and Jain philosophy. Among the famous texts of yoga, Yogasutra composed by Patanjali and Yoga Hanya composed by Veda Vyasa have special importance. The Yoga Sutra Vritti composed by Nagesh Bhatt is also famous.
The eight limbs of yoga are called Ashtanga, through which the eight dimensions are practiced simultaneously. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyana, Pratyahara, Samadhi are considered to be the eight limbs of Yoga. Pranayama has special importance in yoga. Prana means life force and dimension means control over energy. That is, when prana is controlled by some special techniques related to breathing, it is called pranayama. There are three main types of Pranayama – Anulom-Vilom, Kapalbhati Pranayama and Bhramari Pranayama.
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Yoga has great importance in Indian religion and philosophy. The need and importance of yoga for spiritual progress or physical and mental health has been unanimously accepted by almost all philosophies and Indian religious sects. The importance of yoga is also accepted in Jain and Buddhist philosophies. The importance of yoga has increased more in the present time i.e. in the modern era. The increasing busyness and distraction of the mind are among the main reasons for this. Modern man has a great need for yoga today. The mind and body are becoming diseased due to excessive stress, pollution and hectic life. There has been an imbalance between the introvert and extrovert status of a person.
According to the Prime Minister of India, Modi ji, Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It symbolizes the unity of mind and body; There is harmony between man and nature; Thought is about moderation and fulfillment and a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but a sense of oneness within oneself, exploring the world and nature. By becoming this consciousness in our changing lifestyle, it can help us to deal with climate change.
Yoga has been defined by many great yogis and gurus. According to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, “Yoga is only exercise and posture. It is a spiritual elevation with a touch of emotional integration and mystic element, which gives you a glimpse into the beyond all imagination. According to Osho, “It is wrong to restrict yoga within the realm of religion, faith and superstition. Yoga is the science, the art of living life. Also it is a complete medical system. Where religion binds us with pegs, Yoga is the way to get rid of all kinds of bondage.” According to Baba Ramdev, “Yoga is not to let the mind wander and to keep it stable in one place”. The credit for the manner available to us goes to Maharishi Patanjali. Earlier the sutras of yoga were scattered which were difficult to understand. Understanding these, Maharishi Patanjali organized them and rendered Ashtanga Yoga. The yoga philosophy of Maharishi Patanjali holds a very important place among the six darshans of India. The word yoga was defined by Maharishi Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras as “Yogashri Vritti Nirodha” which means the cessation of the tendencies of the mind is called yoga. Practice and dispassion are said to be necessary for the cessation of these tendencies of the mind – “abhyas vairagya mayya tannirodhaah” and the attainment by the cessation of the tendencies of the mind is considered as “tada drishta: swaroop devasthanam” i.e. the seer at this time. position in its form. The means which have been mentioned for attaining this state are called Ashtanga Yoga.
If seen, yoga is not a religion, it is an art of living, whose goal is a healthy mind in a healthy body. The practice of yoga helps a person to control the mind, body and spirit. It brings about a calm mind and a balanced body through physical and mental balance. Manages stress and anxiety. It helps in increasing flexibility, strengthening muscles and enhancing physical health in the body. It improves breathing, energy and vitality. This helps in improving the immune system and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
In 2014, the Prime Minister of India, Modi, suggested the United Nations to celebrate 21 June as International Yoga Day, because in summer the Sun is located in the northern hemisphere and in the northern hemisphere, 21 June is the longest day of the year, first of all. International Yoga Day was organized on June 21, 2015 which set many records across the world. Presently yoga has become a relevant subject not only for India but for the whole world. Apart from India, many Islamic countries have also adopted it.
In this way we see that considering the importance of yoga, today the whole world is adopting it wholeheartedly. Yoga had a special place in the Vedas. The main theme of the Vedas is to make spiritual progress. For this, Yaj, Upasana, Puja and other programs have been described. Before this, the law of yoga practice has been made. In the context of this it is said in Rigveda-
Yasmadrute na sidhyati yajnovipachitsran.
S Dhinaam Yogaminvati.
Yoga is not complete. This shows the importance given to yoga in the Vedas.
It is also said in Vishnu Purana that “Yoga is the perfect union of the soul and the Supreme Soul.”
In view of the increasing acceptance and subsequent acceptance of yoga by the international community, it can be said that such intangible cultural heritage helps to maintain cultural and cultural dialogue between people and societies and cultures, and this acceptance benefits the whole world.
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