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Yoga->Science of 10000 years old |
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Yoga:
A science of ten Thousand year old |
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The
word yoga means ‘unity’ or ‘oneness’ and
is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj which means ‘to join’.
This unity or joining is described in spiritual terms as the union
of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.
On a more practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing
the body, mind and emotions. |
The
science of yoga begins to work on the outermost aspect of the personality,
the physical body, which for most people is a practical and familiar
starting point. Yoga aims at bringing the different bodily functions
into perfect coordination of that they work for the good of the
whole body.
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From
the physical body, yoga moves on to the mental and emotional levels.
Many people suffer from phobias and neuroses as a result of the
stresses and interactions of everyday living. Yoga cannot provide
a cure for life but it does present a proven method for coping with
it.
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There
are many branches of yoga: raja, hasta, jnana, karma, bhakti, mantra,
kundalini and laya. Each individual needs to find those yogas most
suited to his/her particular personality and need. |
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| HISTORY
OF YOGA |
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yoga we know today was developed as a part of the tantric civilization,
which existed in India and all parts of the world more than ten
thousand years ago. In the Indus Valley at Harappa and Mohenjodaro,
now in Pakistan, many statues have been found depicting resembling
Lord Shiva and Parvati performing various asanas and practicing
meditation. According to mythical tradition, Shiva is said to be
the founder of yoga and Parvati, his first disciple.
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Lord
Shiva is widely considered to be the symbol or embodiment of supreme
consciousness. Parvati represents supreme knowledge, will and action,
and is responsible for all creation. This force or energy is also
known as kundalini shakti the cosmic force which lies dormant in
all beings. Parvati is regarded as the mother of the whole universe.
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Yoga
arose at the beginning of human civilization when man first
realized his spiritual potential and began to evolve techniques
to develop it. The yogic science was slowly evolved and developed
by ancient sages all over the world.
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Some traditions believe that yoga was a divine gift revealed to
the ancient sages so that mankind could have the opportunity to
realize its divine nature.In ancient times, yoga techniques were
kept secret and were never written down or exposed to public view.
They were passed on from teacher or guru to disciple by word of
mouth. Through personal experience, realized yogis and sages were
able to guide sincere aspirants along the correct path, removing
any confusion, and misunderstanding and excessive intellectual contemplation.
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fact, the verses of the Vedas were heard by the rishis, seers, in
states of deep, yogic meditation or samadhi, and are regarded as
revealed scriptures. It is, however, in the Upanishads that yoga
begins to take a more definable shape. These scriptures collectively
form Vedanta, the culmination of the Vedas, and are said to contain
the essence of the Vedas.
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In
the 6th century BC, Lord Buddha’s influence brought the ideals
of meditation, ethics and morality to the fore and the preparatory
practices of yoga were ignored. |
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| More on Hatha Yoga |
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| Related
Links |
| PRANAYAM
: A New Life Style |
| KRIYA
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| MEDITATION
: Constant Observation Of Mind |
| KUNDALINI
YOGA : A Divine Power |
| YOGA
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| MUDRA
YOGA: Attitudes Of Energy Flow |
| YOGA
: Union With Universal Consciousness |
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