Over many centuries, the ways of life have undergone drastic changes, especially in terms of lifestyle and physical activity. Our ancestors lived a life that was vastly different from ours. They did not lead sedentary lifestyles like many of us do today. Engaging in physically demanding activities was a crucial part of their everyday lives. Though there are vast differences in the lifestyles, one aspect that has remained throughout the ages is Duḥkha(suffering). The nature and definition of suffering may have changed over the years, but the state of suffering remains. Humans have always been in a state of suffering, not only to the body but also the mind and the soul.
Indian philosophy possesses rich and diverse amalgamation of thoughts, defined by various schools and systems that have emerged over thousands of years. One key aspect to these different schools was quest for emancipation or liberation of the individual soul. This quest led to the development of various philosophical schools. Of the countless schools, six were the most significant, since they shared a common source the “Vedas”. The six philosophical schools were called the Ṣat Darśanas. 'Ṣat' means six and 'Darśana' means philosophy. Yoga is one of the six schools of the Indian philosophies. The other five schools are Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Sāṁkhya, Mīmāṃsā and Vedānta. All the six schools had the same goal, Duḥkha Nivṛtti, but had diverse paths to achieve the goal.
“yogaḥ - cittavṛttinirodhaḥ”PATANJALI
Patanjali compiled the authoritative text of Yoga, The Yoga Sutra. He defines Yoga as “yogaḥ - cittavṛttinirodhaḥ”. Yoga emphasises the importance of spiritual disciplines and techniques to attain self-realisation and liberation. Yoga focuses on cessation/restraint of the activities of the mind. In Yoga, it is believed that the mind is the source and the solution to all our problems. So, where do we find this mind and how do we restrain its activities? Yoga is a crucial tool that helps you in this epiphanic journey of searching for your mind. Patanjali has bestowed upon us various tools to handle the mind. The valuable tools are Yama (social attitudes), Niyama (personal dosciplines), Asana (body positions), Pranayama (conscious brathing, Pratyahara (control of senses), Dharana (focus), Dhyana (meditation), Ahara Niyama (dietary regulations), Vihara Niyama (lifestyle recommendations), Chanting (sacred sounds), Bhavana (visualization) and many more.
Yoga is misunderstood as merely a workout/physical exercise to improve one’s flexibility, strength, and overall fitness. Although yoga certainly offers numerous physical benefits, its scope is much beyond the physical body. Yoga is a holistic system that encompasses the body, mind, and soul. It is not only a tool for healing but a force that can make you wiser and provide a greater clarity to live a fulfilling and satisfied life. At Yoga Samvidaa, under the guidance of our founder, Dr Arathi, we help our clients tap into their inner power of healing and transform their lives.
