|
 |
Yoga
is a system of exercises for the
physical & mental well being. It combines stylised poses with deep
breathing and meditation. The term yoga itself is derived from a
Sanskrit word meaning 'to join together'. The ultimate aim of yoga
it to unite the human soul with the universal sprit
Yoga was developed about 5 thousand years ago. Its founders were great Sages
who carried out intense feats of physical and mental concentration.
Yoga has its origins in the Vedas, the oldest records of Indian
culture. The great Indian sage Patanjali who described a series of
postures or Asanas, which the student gradually tries to attain,
systematized it. Maharishi Patanjali rightly called as the "Father
of Yoga" compiled and refined various aspects of Yoga systematically
in his "Yoga Sutras" (aphorisms). He advocated the eight-fold path
of Yoga, popularly known as "Ashtanga Yoga" for the all-round
development of the human personality.
According to Patanjali,
within the human body there are channels called Nadi & centres
called chakra. If these channels & centres are tapped, energy hidden
in the body can be released. This energy is called kundalini. |
