What is yoga according to philosophy?
Most people have an idea that yoga is more than just stretching and strengthening. But what exactly is yoga? Yoga is a philosophy that is about uniting and connecting yourself to yourself but also yourself to mother earth and the entire universe. Unity and oneness with everything. We work to create a connection in body, mind and heart.
The goal of yoga is what we call Samadhi. Samadhi can be described as complete enlightenment. Complete stillness, just being without feeling attached to either the positive or the negative. Yoga is the path that leads one to Samadhi.
Patanjali & The Yoga Sutras
Yoga is an ancient tradition or philosophy and it is unclear when exactly it started. However, the sage Pantanjali wrote down the world-famous "Yoga Sutras" approx. 400 BC It is the first written source on yoga and it is still the text that is referred to. The Yoga Sutras wrote down the tradition and made it possible for more people to both have access to and also create an interest in yoga.
The book deals with how to reach Samadhi as you do through the 8 limbs of yoga. The sutras are written in the traditional language of yoga, Sanskrit. It is necessary to be able to understand Sanskrit in order to understand the meaning of the various words, but I have done my best to translate it so that those interested in Western yoga can also understand it.
There are 4 chapters, each of which deals with different topics. And there are a total of 195 sutras (verses).
The first chapter is called Samadhi Pada and deals with the calm stage one can achieve as a yogi. Each sutra is chanted.
The first three verses of the Yoga Sutras:
Chapter 1 Sutra 1, 2, 3:
1. Atha Yoganu Shasanam
From here (now) yoga begins (follows) teaching (discipline)
2. Yoga Chitta Vritti Norodhana
Yoga (is) mind modification stop. 3. Tada prashtuhu swarupe avasthanam
Then the seer (purusha) nature (moksha) realized.
In short, the above means that if you follow the (yoga) tradition, the obstacles you have in your life will slowly begin to disappear. When you as yourself realize your true nature and you no longer feel attached to anything. The good and the bad in life feel balanced in oneself, one will be able to attain Samadhi/Moksha/Kaivalya.
The 8 limbs of yoga
In the following, I will elaborate on each limbs. Each level must normally be completed in sequence. In other words, you first complete the first level, then the second, etc.
There are 8 limbs of yoga. The first 5 branches cover consciousness and the remaining 3 expand one's consciousness further and require life dedication to achieve. The first stages calmly remove external disturbances for the yogi. The last three remove the internals.
The first are Yama and Niyama and they are actually called the entire foundation of yoga.
1. Yama - Social guidelines
Yama is described as ethical guidelines or rules of conduct – some social codes that an individual must follow. These include ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (control of the senses) and aparigraha (non-greed).
Deeper interpretation: many yogis do not consider it "yogic" to eat meat, due to Ahimsa, which is "non-violence". According to the yogis, it is impossible to get meat without "exerting violence" and even if you may not kill the animal yourself, it is still not ahimsa to get others to do it.
Satya, which is truth, also applies to yourself, that you are always honest and realistic with yourself.
Not stealing is not just physical things, but also e.g. time. If I teach 15 minutes extra in a yoga class, I steal my students' time and do not respect if they have e.g. have plans after class.
2. Niyama - Personal guidelines
Self-discipline and compliance are also described as personal codes we follow. These include saucha (purity of body, mind and speech), samtosha (contentment one accepts), tapas (self-discipline), svadhyaya (self-study and self-reflection) and ishvara pranidhana (devotion to God or the divine).
The yamas create harmony in one's social interactions and the niyamas create harmony in one's inner self. They are created to create balance in one's inner world.
3. Asana - Physical poses
Asana is what we in the West typically know as yoga. These are the positions and movements we make on the yoga mat. The original form is called Hatha Yoga, which means sun and moon and describes all the contradictions we experience in our lives and how one cannot exist without the other. Yoga positions do not focus on big upper arms and flat stomachs, but focus on e.g. on the well-being of the organs as well as the general state of body and mind. Asana is also created so that you can sit in a meditation position with a straight back, without experiencing pain or anything else. A true yogi should be able to sit in meditation position for 3 hours and 45 minutes without feeling any discomfort.
4. Pranayama - Breathing techniques (control of prana)
Asana is what we in the West typically know as yoga. These are the positions and movements we make on the yoga mat. The original form is called Hatha Yoga, which means sun and moon and describes all the contradictions we experience in our lives and how one cannot exist without the other. Yoga positions do not focus on big upper arms and flat stomachs, but focus on e.g. on the well-being of the organs as well as the general state of body and mind. Asana is also created so that you can sit in a meditation position with a straight back, without experiencing pain or anything else. A true yogi should be able to sit in meditation position for 3 hours and 45 minutes without feeling any discomfort.
5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of senses
Pratyaha is about turning the focus inward. You can withdraw soundly from the external stimuli as well as your senses. You learn to gain control over your attention and avoid distracting influences.
6. Dharana – Concentration
When you only concentrate on one thing, it can be one thought, an object or something else. Our brains are consumed by distractions such as memories, past experiences, dreams and thoughts about the future. This can be both bad and good.
In yoga you can, among other things, use techniques such as mantra, kirtan, chanting (repeating a yogic mantra) to focus and be fully present in the moment.
Dharna is described in the Yoga Sutras: Chapter 3. Sutra 51: Desh bandho chitsya
It can be translated into "tying or binding" your mind/thoughts/mind to something specific.
After this level, you are ready to:
7. Dhyana - Meditation
Dhyana is meditation where nothing disturbs one. Nothing itches, you hear nothing, you think nothing, you just are.
Dhyana is described in the Yoga Sutras: chapter 3 sutra 2: Tatra Part Yek Tantra.
Uninterrupted flow of concentration is meditation
Uninterrupted being, no disturbance of anything. You just are.
8. Samadhi - Full enlightenment
The stage where external and internal obstacles no longer exist. Everything happens with full attention. Complete self-realization.
After this stage you have no fear, no shame and are completely free from the sufferings of life. You love both those who are good and bad to you.
Of course, it's ok to just take what you want from the yoga. It's okay if it's just a physical practice for you.
If you have any questions, feel free to write a comment!
Do you want to learn more about the philosophy of yoga and how to incorporate the 8 branches into your life?
Then you are very welcome on one of my yoga trips or yoga retreats. Both for complete beginners and experienced.
Namasté Emely / OceanSoul
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