Yoga - International Day of Yoga

What is Yoga? Yoga is an ancient science, a holistic way of living, a method of enquiry, a way of understanding oneself, a path to self-realisation and self-actualisation. It is empirical in nature. It affects our physical and mental states of being, but its purpose is way beyond, it goes much deeper and subtler.

Yoga has been practiced since time immemorial, for more than 5000 years. The fact that it still exists today, and the world is waking up to it, shows its indefinite potential and timelessness.

The origin of the word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Yujir’, which means to yoke, join, union. What is this union? The union is of one with oneself. Union of one with every creation of nature. Union of one with the entire Universe - achieving perfect harmony of body, mind and soul; attaining the perfect Yoga.

Yoga has been widely described in our ancient texts, the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Epics, Ramayana, Mahabharata and other innumerable texts. Yoga holds a very special place in the Indian system of belief, the Bhartiya Darshana, the Indian Philosophy.

Yoga is the Science of God Realization. It shows us that we are beyond our body, our senses, our mind and our intellect. We are the Supreme Soul, the Cosmic Divine, the Universal Consciousness. As the Upanishads say, Aham Brahmasmi, I am the Supreme Reality. Yoga is the realisation that the divine exists in all of us. We are all part of the One, Brahman – the Ultimate Reality, and the union of individual consciousness with the universal consciousness is possible and is the greatest goal.

Maharishi Patanjali in his text, Patanjala Yoga Darshana, gives the eight-limb system of Yoga, called the Ashtanga Yoga. The 8 limbs being: Yama (Abstinences) à Niyama (Observances) à Asana (Stable Posture) à Pranayama (Breath Regulation) àPratyahara (Withdrawal of the senses) à Dharana (Concentration) à Dhyana (Meditation) à Samadhi (Absorption). An aspirant starts with correcting his behaviour and conduct (Yama and Niyama), then works on his physical body to attain mental stability (Asana), then on his breath and mind (Pranayama), slowly withdraws his senses (Pratyahara), starts concentrating and goes deeper (Dharana and Dhyana) and finally attains liberation (Samadhi). The Ashtanga Yoga path is one of the many ways to attain perfect Yoga.

Similarly, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, the Song of the Divine, is a revered text which expounds on the 4 paths of Yoga – Karma Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Jnana (Gyan) Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. All paths are interconnected and they all lead to one destination. The Bhagavad Gita can also be called one of the best texts for personal and professional management. This is because it teaches all the virtues required for leading a balanced, meaningful and stable life – personal as well as professional.

Let me also tell you about my personal experience. Yoga came into my life when I was directionless and clueless. I didn’t know the path forward. Yoga embraced me with open arms and changed my life. It has taught me discipline, balance, regulation, control, awareness, empathy and stability. Yoga has vastly improved my physical and mental health. It has helped me become more aware about myself and helped me channelize my energies. I am deeply grateful that I have been given the opportunity to practice yoga in my lifetime.

On this International Day of Yoga, I encourage you to take up the practice of Yoga, immerse yourself and see how it changes your life for the better.

Thank you and Namaste!

BIO-Sketch:

My name is Deepansh Agrawal. I am an alumnus of North Cap University Gurgaon, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Batch of 2019. Currently I’m pursuing a Diploma in Yoga Sciences from Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi. I’ve always been curious about the working of the world, both inside and outside; and often find myself pondering about the deeper mysteries of life.  Eternally seeking the one in all and the all in one.