Aarohi Salaria
Edited by Lily Galapon
Published 3/12/2024
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of yoga?
For me, I envision a person doing a tree pose outside as the sun is rising. Sound familiar?
Many people consider yoga as a form of exercise that helps with balance, posture, and blood flow—however, it is so much more than this. Rather than being associated with its benefits, practitioners of yoga focus on letting go of all negativity that prevents the light of our inner self from illuminating while teaching us valuable lessons along the way. Each pose contributes to this discipline through their respective symbolic meanings. Remember the tree pose mentioned earlier? Well, rather than helping maintain good balance and posture, the position is affiliated with the tree of life. The tree is a symbolic representation of growth, strength, and the connection we have with all life on the planet. With this beauty and diversity from nature, we, as people, are all leaves on the same tree—the world.
Now, this is just one of the numerous emblematic variations of different yoga poses, so it would take forever to explain each of them in detail. But now that the general gist of how yoga practitioners focus on obtaining the symbolic insights behind yoga, let’s discuss the other characteristics of yoga.
What is Yoga?
Essentially, yoga is a spiritual discipline based on a subdued science that focuses on bringing inner peace between mind and body—it is the art and science of healthy living.
It is said that one who experiences the attentiveness of this connection, they have attained to a state of freedom referred to as nirvana (no, not the band).
Nirvana is being released from a state of suffering, so yoga contributes to this state by humans obtaining the union of their body and mind to control their states of mental being.
The Origins of Yoga
Traces of the first yoga practitioners were in Northern India—which resided with many Hindus—nearly 5,000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in ancient sacred texts and is derived from Sanskrit roots “yujir” and “yuj,” meaning to connect, or come together. Hence, yoga is defined as the practice of connecting our mind with our body.
The Importance of Yoga
Ancient Hindus believed that there was some sort of benefit associated with yoga—but not that of materialism—rather, they believed that the practice formed some sort of connection between two large entities, whom we now know to be ourselves and the Earth.
To reiterate the point, yoga is not to be practiced with an intention of attaining results, but to aspire and reach a state of inner peace and well-being. Whether, for you, that means to practice yoga to reach specific outcomes or not, it is important to keep this overall goal in mind.
How to Practice Yoga
As I come to an end, I truly encourage you to consider practicing yoga in your daily life to improve your inner connection and state of peace. For me, I usually try to do so with family or friends. I recommend doing the activity sometime in the evening. That way, everyone can simply relax and enjoy each other's company while unpacking the events of the day. And maybe you’ll consider the same!
References
Basavaraddi, D. I. V. (n.d.). Yoga. Yoga. Retrieved December 19, 2023, from https://yoga.ayush.gov.in/Yoga-History/
Google Arts & Culture. (2019, June 21). Explore The Ancient Roots of Yoga — Google Arts & Culture. Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved December 19, 2023, from https://artsandculture.google.com/story/explore-the-ancient-roots-of-yoga/rAKCRDl92CPuJg
Thakrar, S. (n.d.). Hidden Treasures of the East - The Tree of Life. OM Yoga Magazine. Retrieved December 19, 2023, from https://www.ommagazine.com/hidden-treasures-of-the-east-the-tree-of-life/
Comentários