Yoga

What Is the Meaning of Yoga?


The word "Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root Yuj, which means "to join," "to yoke," or "to unite"

A Union between the individual Consciousness and Universal Consciousness

Sage Patanjali defined yoga in Sanskrit as Chitta Vritti Nirodha, which literally translates to "stilling the modifications and activity of the mind". This means that when the mind is stilled, everything becomes one in consciousness. 

Patanjali was an ancient sage who compiled the Yoga Sutras, a collection of Sanskrit aphorisms on yoga theory and practice. Patanjali believed that yoga was a process of separating the soul (Purusha) from materiality (Prakriti) to re-establish the soul's purity, 

Through Patanjali’s Sutras, he laid the foundation of Raja Yoga- Eight limbs of Yoga, also known as Ashtanga Yoga. The eight limbs philosophy is a process of self-transformation leading to the ultimate state of bliss. 

Patanjali’s Sutras discuss this system or process as a guideline to live a meaningful life in awake awareness. If you are a Yoga Student, you’ve most likely practiced parts of this path without even realizing it!


The eight limbs are:


Yoga Sutra

The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali are a collection of 196 Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga. The Yoga Sutras were compiled sometime between 500 BCE and 400 CE. Sutras (in Sanskrit) literally means a thread or string that holds things together and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism. The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali is an ancient philosophy that enlightens one in the knowledge of yoga, its origin, and the ultimate purpose. Its purpose is to make the principles and practices of the Yoga formulae more understandable and accessible for all. In the Yoga Sutras, practical and easy suggestions are presented through which one can experience the ultimate benefits of a yogic lifestyle.


Patanjali divided the Yoga Sutras into its four chapters or padas: