Yoga is a Sanskrit word which comes from the word “Yuj”, which means to unite or to join together. Thus Yoga combines mind, body and spirit and brings it into a harmonious whole. Yoga is not only a few exercises, but it’s an ancient Wisdom for a happier, healthier and meaningful life. It derives from Hinduism; however, it is practised by the people of all culture and religion worldwide.
The core practice of Yoga is the various physical postures or the “Asanas”, meditation and breathing exercises or the “Pranayam”. It gives direction to the human being on eating habits, healthy lifestyle, thinking, behaviour and Ayurvedic medicine also.
The Origin of Yoga
Yoga was originated 5000 years ago during Indus Valley civilisation in North India. The first depiction of Yoga can see in Rig Veda. Rig Veda is a collection of thousands of hymns which consists of mantras, songs and rituals which use by Brahmins during that period. Brahmins developed and carried the message of Yoga in the “Upanishads” which is a collection of texts that has around 200 scriptures.
During the Vedic Period, priests use to be very self-discipline, and they use to perform various sacrifices known as “Yajna” also they use to perform multiple poses during “Yajna”. These poses believe to be the kind of Yoga poses that we perform in the modern world today.
Types of Yoga
There are many different types of Yoga; however, we will see the significant six types of Yoga, which are as follows:
Hath Yoga: Hatha Yoga is the type of Yoga which is most popular in the western countries, and it is a branch of the physical postures or “Asanas”. Hatha Yoga originates from the word “HA” which means sun and “THA” which means Moon. Hence Hatha Yoga is uniting the energies of Sun and Moon in equilibrium, active and receptive, positive and negative.
The Hatha Yoga system consists of Asanas (Yoga Positions), Six Shatkarmas (Mental and Physical detox techniques), Pranayama (Breathing exercise) and Bandhas (Psycho-Physiological energy release postures).
Jnana Yoga: Jnana Yoga is the practising of various processes to convert the knowledge into Wisdom, and it described as a mean to attain highest meditative state along with the inner consciousness. The literal meaning of the word “Jnana’ is the knowledge; however, in Yoga, it means the process of meditative awareness which leads to illuminative Wisdom.