“YOGA” … such a divine word. One of the most precious and spiritual discoveries in the history of mankind. Yoga has a long tailed history, followed by a lot of misleading facts. In the ancient Sanskrit, Yoga is originated from the word YUJ, which means "to join". It is the union of the parts within ourselves. A union with the individual and the universe, with others, with inner and outer aura etc. In a nutshell, yoga means "re-inventing thyself". Connecting the mind and body, discovering the true potential, reaching new heights, maximizing the inner ability, pushing the boundaries and reaching the inner soul.
The great Patanjali is recognized as the "father" of yoga. It is not because he invented yoga but because he prepared a precious yoga ledger, the Yoga Sutras, which was written around 2500 years ago. It outlines the art and science of yoga in a more detailed and organized way. The true and eternal meaning of yoga has been misinterpreted particularly in the western world. Still there are some learned, skilled, devoted yogis, who are restoring the true value and the art of ancient yoga. Many people have misinterpreted Yoga as just another exercise program. In other case, Yoga has been introduced as a wrong and misleading religion, aimed at attracting followers. There are so many confusions around the clear concept of yoga that it is now mandatory to rejuvenate and restore yoga and clarify its meaning and purpose.
Yoga doesn’t only focuses on spiritual guidance. It has a lot of health benefits also. Yoga teaches us a new way to live life. It improves our living condition, keeps us on a healthy schedule, and refrains us from all the harmful activities, even foods and thoughts. It is said that a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, and a lot of good thinking and innovations happen when human mind in calm and stress free. Yoga helps us to focus on the present where life exists. Yoga at the end of the day is a way to calm down and keep the blood pressure in a normal rate, resulting in an instant stress release mechanism.
Yoga is a science that is as practical, theoretical, and methodical as any other science. It has a target of helping human beings to become aware of their inner aura, their deepest nature. The goal is to experience the deepest potential. It is not part of a religious ritual, but a methodical and systematic science of self-study. Religions define where we should keep our faith, while a practical science, for example, meditation is based on the solid experience of teachers and yogis who have previously used these techniques to bring out the true potential of self. Yoga does not contradict with any religion, and may be practiced by anyone of any religion, race, gender, and age whatsoever.
Throughout history, the different techniques of yoga have been practiced both in the East and also in the West. So it is a general misbelief to consider yoga as only an "Eastern import." In fact, yoga, with its vigorous procedures for creating a sense of inner peace, harmony, and clarity of mind, is very much relevant to the modern world, both in east and west, and also, in every part of the world. Considering the increasing conflict, competing mentality and pace present in modern life, resulting stress, it can be said without any doubt that yoga has become an important way of existence. Not only this, Yoga is also a tool for exploring new possibilities, taking creative steps and enjoying the joy of present moment.