Yoga ( The Communion with Higher Self or God )

The practice of Yoga is one of the orthodox system of Hindu (Sanatan) Philosophy. According to the Dualistic (Dwaitya) philosophy the God or the Supreme being permeates everything even the Human soul and the system of Yoga endeavors to unite the Human soul Jivatma to the Supreme Being (Parmatman). The one who follows the path of Yoga is called Yogi.

The practice of Yoga stills the mind, sharpens the intellect and enables one to control emotions and free oneself of Ego. Hence a Yogi is freed from sorrows and pain related to the contact world and gives sense of fulfillment and eternal joy.

The Eight Fold Path of Yoga.

The great sage Maharishi Patanjali compiled a great treatise called the Patanjali Yoga Sutras around 200 BC and systematized this ancient philosophy in 185 aphorisms divided into Eight stages of Yoga.
1. Yama (Moral ethics)
2. Niyama (Purification of Mind and Body)
3. Asana (Postures)
4. Pranayama (Control of Breath)
5. Pratyahara (Withdrawal of mind from dominance of senses)
6. Dharana (Concentration)
7. Dhayana (Meditation)
8. Samadhi (State of super conciousness)

[ Each stage will be briefly explained in future posts ]