What is YOGA ?

However can you claim to be genuinely happy physically and mentally? Perhaps not - because enormous competition and commotion in life have made us suffer form stress and strain which are the causes of physical as well as psychological disorders such as acute depression, diabetes, acitidity, ulcer, cancer, migraine, hypertension etc. Extensive use of tranquilizers, sedatives, pills and tonics to check stress and strain are making the condition more complicated. Then how to prevent ourselves form the from the menenace of stress and strains. Should we discard science, abandon modern life style and return to the aboriginal cave-life? Certainly not ! You must be interested to know what is the remedy of this malrise.

The best remedy is YOGA to live healthy and happy. Practice of YOGA makes the body function active which have a very good effect on mental tranquility. In fact YOGA is being practiced through the ages as advocated by the ancient sages of India thousands of years ago. Ancient sages have suggested eight stages of yoga to attain purity of body, mind and soul. These eight stages are known as Ashtanga The eight stages of Yoga are as follows :

Eight Stages of Yoga

The following are the eight stages in Yoga, known as 'Ashtanga Yoga'. One needs to practice and master each of these eight stages in order to reunite with the divine energy in the universe.

Yama: These are eternal, universal moral commandments. Perpetual Yama curbs the tendency toward violence and possessiveness. It inspires truthfulness, purity, conscience, trustworthiness, goodness and honesty.

Niyama: This is the restraint of the mind by means of its own rules and regulations. It is self-purification through discipline, self-contentment, self-study and above all, the surrender of the self to God. It is also the study of scripts and holy texts.

Asanas: These are body postures, which develop inner awareness and aid in calming the mind.

Pranayama: This is the rhythmic control, prolongation and restraint of the breath. Its aim is to discover a subtle psychic force or a subtle cosmic element.

Pratyahara: This entails control of the senses of the human body. It is important to give up all emotions, sentiments and pleasures. The mind must be completely withdrawn from external attractions and objects.

Dharana: This is the Sanskrit word for "to hold". It is an intense, deep concentration which enhances the selected mental state.

Dhyana: This is meditation, contemplation and poised awareness.

Samadhi: Profound Meditation leads to a state of super consciousness. This state is called Samadhi. It is the union of the individual aspirant (Sadhaka) with the object of his meditation Paramatma or the Supreme Universal Spirit - the all pervasive truth.

Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi is called 'Samyama' (the Internal Yoga) in the Science of Yoga. The first five stages-Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama and Pratyahara-constitute the External Yoga. When all these five stages are practiced and followed in life, virtues like morality, morally sound conduct and good character are developed in man. Besides, there is all-round progress in human life, physically, intellectually and spiritually and man attains physical fitness and mental satisfaction.