YOGA IS A JOURNEY TO FREEDOM..

Namaskaram.. 
Lets us explore the origin of Yoga. Yoga has been alive from time immemorial. There are many dimensions to it, like Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga. Raja Yoga focuses more on mental steadiness. Hatha Yoga is about balancing sun and moon forces within human nature using body. Mantra Yoga focuses on ‘Japa’, repetition of mantra to elevate conscious level to super-consciousness state. Ashtanga Yoga has eight limbs to achieve samadhi state.

Maharishi Patanjali is considered to be an avatar of Adi-shesha, who formulated aphorisms or sutras of Ashtanga Yoga. There are 199 yoga sutras with 4 padas or parts. The fours Padas are Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Viboothi Pada and Kailvalya Pada. Samadhi Pada enquires about what is yoga and what is acheived through Yoga. Sadhana Pada explains about practices to be followed like Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara. Viboothi Pada talks about means to achieve final stages of Yoga viz.Samyama (Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi). Kaivalya Pada enquires on common doubts during Yoga practices.

By: M.Manoj Kannan , (BE, MBA,YOGA THERAPIST -Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher from Yoga Alliance USA) Mobile: +91-9167655033
Blog: www.southindianyoga.blogspot.in
India