Yoga is a process of gaining control over the mind and one which can keep you fit and therefore understanding Yoga is very much important before you start practicing it. Yoga is one among the six systems of Indian Philosophy known as “Sat Darshanas”. According to the famous Sage Patanjali Yoga is a conscious process of gaining mastery over the mind. In Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads, the scope of Yoga is comprehensively portrayed.
As Swami Vivekananda says, “Yoga is a means of compressing one’s evolution into a single life or a few months or even a few hours of ones bodily existence”. Yoga is also defined as a methodical effort towards self-perfection by the development of the potentialities latent in an individual. It is such a process by which the limitations and imperfections in an individual can be removed resulting in a Super Human race. As Patanjali defines Yoga, it is “Chitha Vrutti Nirodhah”, a process of gaining control over one’s mind.
Yoga mainly harnesses the capacity of man to remain calm and silent. It also helps in increasing our concentration power. In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 10, Shloka 18, Yoga is portrayed as the Power of Creation. It says “Vistarenaatmano Yogam Vibhoothim Cha Janardana! Bhooya: Kathaya Thruptirhi Shrnwatho Naasti Me’mrutham”. Arjuna requests Krishna to explain to him once more in detail the power of Yoga and Glory of Krishna. We will look into more in detail about Yoga in coming articles.
