YOGA

Yoga can be defined as: “to unite;” “to tie the strands of the mind together;” “to attain what was previously unattainable;” “to act in such a way that all of our attention is directed toward the activity in which we are currently engaged;” and “to be one with the divine” (Desikachar, 1995). “Yoga takes each person in a different direction as it is universal and brings with it the ways in which we can make the changes we desire in our lives” (Desikachar, 1995).

The ideas about consciousness and self-awareness presented in The Upanishads (oldest collection of ancient wisdom texts originating in India), have become an integral part of the yogic philosophy which originates in India. Interestingly, The Upanishads describe the nervous system of the body and prana meaning “breath” or “living energy.” It is believed that some sages practiced “thought-experiments” by “observing the importance of prana over the numerous functions within the body” (Easwaran, 2007). They used a scientific stand point to aid in the understanding of self-awareness by connecting the mind and body through breath, noting that this, in fact, had an impact on the body’s overall health. Prana is the life force of all living organisms and is directly connected to the heart. Yoga helps to bring homeostasis within the mind and body, through breathing techniques, meditation, and self-awareness.

References:

Desikachar, T. (1995). The Heart Of Yoga: Developing A Personal Practice.Rochester: Inner Traditions International.

Easwaran, E. (2007). The Upanishads.Tomales, California: Nilgiri Press.