What is Yoga? A panacea to human life!

My previous posts on the topic "What is Yoga ?", have been a small preview to the true meaning and definition of Yoga as expounded by our great Seers and Yogis - Lord Krishna, Lord Patanjali, Lord Gheranda, Lord Swatmarama, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Guruji T.Krishnamacharya, Guruji B.K.S.Iyengar , Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar, Sadhguru , to name a few.

Spiritual Oneness and unity of the Soul, Self - realisation, Freedom from delusion and contact with pain and sorrow, Inner peace, Still and unwavering consciousness, Fountain of universal love and wisdom, Powerhouse of selfless action and service - these are the promises of Yoga.

For the practical person navigating life between earth and sky, with its real struggles, joys and sorrows, these seem to be impalpable, though. Most people might be skeptic even. Do these Yogic promises hold good for people grounded in the ways and means of life, looking for solutions to everyday struggles, good health and wealth, lasting love, positive energy and ability to make meaningful contributions to the society.

Shri Krishna is loud and clear in his Gita, about the methods and fruits of a yogic path right amidst the duties and problems of life . The glorious path of Yoga is blessed with gifts for all. It equips the seeker with all the tools required for an inner transformation which brings true health of the mind, body and spirit. It is the art and science of living. A rule book by which to play the game of life.

Yoga treats the mind and body through the graceful practice of Asana (Yogic Poses). The openness, strength, stability ,flexibility , resilience and concentration obtained from the constant practice of Yogasanas, provides the kind of physical and mental freedom which lays the foundation for innumerable dimensions of personal development.

This freedom is channelised into the practice of Pranayama - a variety of breathing techniques which can control and regulate the breath at the physical level thereby channelising the flow of Prana or the vital energies of our ethereal bodies and bringing alignment between our physical, mental and spiritual faculties. This can still our consciousness , turning it inward - again offering humility , clarity and equanimity.

For a student or professional , these yogic techniques combined with the precepts of Raja Yoga develop effective leadership qualities and fuel their quest for excellence in their chosen fields.

For the spiritual seeker, the above mentioned techniques of Asana, Pranayama combined with the other precepts of Raja Yoga, open the doors to meditation and finally the Union, as we have described from the beginning of this Series of posts - namely "What is Yoga?".

I believe we can move on now with more practical insights on Asanas, Pranayama and meditation practices as well as some articles on Raja Yoga (or Ashtanga yoga as our scriptures name it) and Hatha Yoga.

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Bibliography :

Light on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar

Light on Yoga by B.K.S Iyengar

Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swatmarama

Gheranda Samhita by Sage Gheranda

Patanjali Yoga Sutras (The Heart of Yoga) by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Bhagavad Gita - by Jayadayal Goyandka (Gita Press Gorakhpur

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