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About Yoga

Yoga is an ancient discipline which originated in India thousands of years ago. Traditionally yoga is part of the 6 Schools of Thought (shad darshana) of the Indian tradition: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa, Vedanta. The term yoga derives from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means to unite, to yoke. It is essentially a philosophical quest to trace back men’s origin and re-unite with the Universal Self, from which we emanated. Its aim is therefore the union of the individual soul (jivatma), the essence of every human being, with the universal soul (paramatma) the origin of the entire creation. Unlike philosophical schools based mainly on speculation yoga is an experiential philosophy. This means that the practitioner needs to perform specific techniques to attain its aim. A specific methodology is also required as well as a strict observance to a set of rules which regulate every aspect of life.

The most ancient texts which refer to this noble art, the Upanishads and the Puranas date back to the late or post-Vedic period around 700 B.C., but the merit of collecting and codifying the vast and ancient knowledge on Yoga goes to Sage Patanjali who lived around 300 B.C. In his text the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali expounds in a terse and concise manner the entire Yoga Philosophy together with the techniques to achieve its final goal, the merging into the Universal Soul. According to Patanjali eight (ashta) are the limbs (anga) of Yoga. Therefore Patanjali Yoga is referred to as Ashtanga Yoga, the Yoga of Eight Limbs:

1) Yama (ethical conduct) – The yamas regulate our relationship with others and the outside world

Ahimsa (non-violence)
Satya (truthfulness)
Asteya (non-stealing)
Brahmacharya (continence, celibacy)
Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)

2) Niyama (observances) – The niyamas regulate the life of the practitioner as an individual

Shauca (purity)
Santosha (contentment)
Tapas (austerity, religious fervour)
Svadhyaya (self-study and study of the Scriptures)
Ishvara pranidhana (surrender to God)

3) Asana (postures) – Asanas are postures that need to be maintained steadily and effortlessly. They bring self-control and mastery over the body.

4) Pranayama (extension of life breath , prana) - The practice of specific techniques of voluntary conditioning of the breath allows the practitioner to store and direct the vital energy at will preventing its dissipation. Pranayama practices lengthen the life span. Yogis measure the life span in breaths rather than years.

5) Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) - In this stage the senses start to loose their grip on external objects and the practitioner learns to draw them inside towards his inner self.

6) Dharana (concentration) - The practitioner attains a state of one-pointedness of mind and is able to hold his concentration steadily on a single object or point. Such ability allows him to prevent the emergence of disturbing and superflous thoughts.

7) Dhyana (meditation) - When the flow of concentration continues uninterruptedly for a long time the practitioner enters into a contemplative state where the notions of body, mind, senses and ego are completely integrated.

8) Samadhi (total absorption) - At the climax of the meditative stage the practitioner experiences a transcendental state and his Soul is absorbed into the Universal Soul. The practitioner has thus reached his final destination. Here his quest ends. He has attained Yoga, the Ultimate Union.

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