What is the first image that pops in mind, when you hear the term ‘YOGA’?
Most probably beautiful flexible bodies being bent like a contortionist!
Is that Yoga all about??!
Let’s take a dive into understanding Yoga first!
Introductory Byte!
Yoga is an impeccable concoction of ancient Indian wisdom that has been constantly churned and assimilated from the spiritual insights of many! It is a blend of science & true religion (spirituality) which has evolved through deep introspection into knowing oneself. The origins of Yoga can be traced back to Vedic times, with the mention in Rig-Veda. The understanding of Yoga has never been rigidly conceptual, the core/essence of it remains the same if one dives deeper; to discover one’s true nature.
Back to the basics of Yoga! (Essence/Heart of Yoga)
Etymology of the word- Union! “Union of Individual to Universal Self”
From here itself the misunderstanding into Yoga begins! How??!
Because it begins with an assumption that Individual self exists and one must make efforts to unite the individual to Universal! With this basic assumption, whole Yoga philosophy starts spiralling down. So then what is this union that ancient scriptures speak of?
Union already exists! The journey of Yoga is of shedding the perception of a separate identity, to realise that one was never separate.
So, Yoga is NOT the path of accumulation/addition, rather it is the path of Elimination through various tools and techniques and ultimately shedding them also!
By acknowledging this simple fact, one begins on the journey of Yoga!
