What Is Yoga?

[karl77 0]

I don't practice Yoga, but wonder if it can halp overweight people to keep their health at good level.

[Fractured.Logic 0]

In response to Karl:Yoga can be incorporated into any routine, regardless of age, gender, weight, or any other specifications you might be inclined to question. What you may want to look into, for whomever you are inquiring about this, "Beginner's Yoga." Good luck!

[arjupun 0]

I think yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between the mind, body and spirit. It means yoga is a thing which helps in maintaining the good health.It makes our body fit and healthy as well as active.-reply by Arjun pun

[greenpeace 0]

Yoga, as stated by sumaru in the first post, means "to unite with". Its original meanings are lost nowadays due to extensive commercialism and new age "yoga gurus" who features it as a system of physical exercises for general well being, just like aerobics or modified form of physiotherapy. In its birthplace, India, the term Yoga was used to denote every form of spiritual pursuits which enables one to "be one with the absolute". As its original meanins are in spiritual arena, a brief introduction about Indian spiritual systems would be required.India, from the ancient times, believed in personal experience as the perfect proof of reality. This experience should not be tainted with clouded vision or intellect. Purity of the mind and single-pointedness of the intellect were the key factors of Indian spiritual practices. Generally, the entire system was divided in to four paths as follows.1. Bhakthi Yoga, the path of absolute love for god2. Karma Yoga, the path of selfless service towards the mankind3. Jnana Yoga, the path of knowledge in which a seeker analyzes everything, including his body, mind and the universe intellectually and differentiates between the permanent and transient. He the devotes his whole attention towards the permanent reality, which we call in India as "Brahman".4. Raja Yoga, the path of specific meditations and physical exercises that enables one to control his mind and senses so that it can be directed towards higher goals in life. The popular Yoga sessions in western countries are mainly based on the Raja Yoga, but in a highly diluted and altered manner. Originally the Raja Yoga system was organized by an Indian saint called "Patanjali". His popular book, "Patanjala Yoga Sutras" are the authoritative text on the subject of Yoga. In the first dictum, he states that "Yoga Chitta Vritti Norodha", that means "Yoga is cessation of mental projections", even though I am not fit to provide an in-depth philosophical description. So, practicing Yoga means practicing willful control of the mind and senses so that we could see things as it is, not through the mind which modifies the reality.While composing this, I got an email from Vivekananda Vedanta Network that explains the goal of all Yogas including the Raja Yoga that I am reproducing here."In whom is the universe, who is in the universe, who is the universe; in whom is the Soul, who is in the soul, who is the soul; knowing that Truth--and therefore the universe--as our Self, alone extinguishes all fear, brings an end to misery, and leads to infinite freedom."Written by Swami Vivekananda in March 1899, to be included in the prospectusof the Advaita Ashrama at Mayavati in the Himalayas. Complete Works, 5.435.For followers of Christian faith, the entire system of Yoga is nothing but practical applications of the teachings of Lord Jesus, "Let thy know the truth, the truth shall make you free".

[rpgsearcherz 5]

Yoga is for both males and females. In fact, I was referred from my spineologist (or however it's spelled) to do yoga for my "physical education" requirements in college (My back is bad). And I am a male.I've started doing the basics but wow, a lot of it is rough.As for what it's for, it's to help you get more flexible. So use of it for gymnastics I could see, but it could also be used for a variety of other purposes (even football - due to balance).

[Drajeesh 0]

I think there are lot of mis understanding about yoga. the definition of yoga according to its authentic text, the YOGASUTRA by pathanjali maharshi says thatyoga is chittavrithi nirodhana. (sanskrit verse)ie yoga is a tool to attain mental concentration and to withdraw mind from world lust.According to indian phylosophy, thd ultimate aim of life is salvation and for attaining salvation, the withdrawal of sence organs from the lust of this world.Yoga gives us 8 tools for attaining salvation.they are1. yama2. niyama3. aasana4. pranayama5.prathyahara6. dharana7. dhyanaand at last8. samadhi.the famous yogic exerciesesare a tiny part of this wide science. these exercies are coming under the third part ie the aasana part of yoga.