"Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha"
(Yoga is the modification of the fluctuations of the mind)
Yoga Sutra I:2

Yoga is an ancient discipline of self-discovery and transformation which uses the  body and the breath as tools in discovering one's Self.  At the most basic level, it is a holistic approach to health and wellness.  It includes a myriad of  practices which aims to strengthen the body, destress the mind, and uplift the spirit. 

The physical performance of yoga postures or asanas become merely acrobatic or gymnastics without breath awareness and an understanding of the philosophy behind it.  Eventhough we are only pursuing yoga for health and fitness reasons, it is always beneficial to acknowledge that behind all those forward bends, spinal twists and inversions lie a belief and value system that makes this practice an authentic system for self-transformation.

The classical yoga philosophy comprises of 8 limbs as codified by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras.  These are:

YOGIC CULTURE is divided into eight parts:

• YAMA - ethics

• NIYAMA - religious observances

• ASANA - physical exercises, postures, bandhas or locks, and mudras or gestures to gain mastery over life energies, and the body.

• PRANAYAMA - breathing exercises to gain control of the vital breath.

• PRATYAHARA - withdrawal of senses from objects; stilling the modification and fluctuations of the mind.

• DHARANA - progression in concentration, mental control. 

• DHAYANA - meditation, working with various nerve centers, steadying the mind.

• SAMADHI - continued practice at achieving and maintaining superconsciousness.

YAMAS AND NIYAMAS

The application of the Yamas and Niyamas are multidimensional. Our behavior affects our internal environment: the mind, and the body, while our behavior affects our external environment: people, society, and the physical world. Here are the principles and a few examples of the broad spectrum of their application :

• Ahimsa - non violence:

  • applies to self - not taking drugs

  • not wishing ill or getting angry 

  • applies to environment - not creating garbage.

• Satya - truth - peacefulness in thought and action:

  • Avoiding hurtful speech- abuse, obscenity, falsehood, ridiculing the sacred

  • Applies to others- not causing disturbance.

• Asteya - non-covetousness

  • avoiding misuse, greed, misappropriation in thought and deed

  • avoiding breaches of trust, mismanagement

  • austerity in needs, freedom from craving

• Brahmacharya - self restraint, celibacy, non-attachment to social association, saving and directing personal energy.

• Aparagriha - non-hoarding / collecting of unnecessary things, not accepting things without working for them. Applies to self- keeping mind free from unnecessary thoughts

• Saucha - purity of the self, the intellect, the emotions, the body, the diet, the environment, towards a state of self-study (svadhyaya), benevolence (saumanasya), lucidity (ekagrata) and mastery of the senses (indriya- jaya).

• Sentosa - cultivation of contentment. Equilibrium towards concentration.

• Tapas - goal oriented self-discipline and austerity: Applies to body and mind. Illumination of life by higher aims.

• Svadhyaya - self-education. Responsibility of self- betterment through study, particularly one's heritage and religion.

• Isvara Pranidhana - Mind to the divine. God centered goal orientation towards illumination (tejas) of purpose.

ASANAS

Asanas are an integral part of Yoga. They are physical postures with a distinct form and shape that involve the application of exact stretches, counter stretches and resistances. There are cycles of postures that give a variety of different effects on the body: energizing, stimulating and calming. Asanas are connected by Vinyasa which is a form linking movements that help maintain a high body heat. This constant controlled movement creates a heightened energy level, toning the body into a high level of fitness, and producing remarkable strength with regular practice.

Asanas have a profound effect on the body. The body is oxygenated, decongested, and rested. Circulation, respiration, heart performance, and muscle tone can be improved. Specific areas on the body can be worked on like the joints, liver, kidneys, or the heart.

Practice brings benefits: good balance, agility, and stamina. Many ailments and chronic disorders can be improved with regular Asana practice. Regular Asana practice is a training regimen that creates a vigorous body, well functioning organs, and an alert mind.

PRANAYAMA

Pranayama or the observance or control of prana through the breath, is meant to clear and strengthen the nadis and chakras. The object is to bring the physical body under the conscious control of the mind.