What Is Yoga?
The word yogameans to direct and concentrate one’s attention, and comes from the
Sanskrit word yuj, to yoke or to join. Yoga was first described by Patanjali, an Indian
sage, who wrote the Yoga Sutrathousands of years ago. The Yoga Sutra recorded
information that had been passed down orally for many years. This text has helped
to define and shape the modern practice of yoga. Yoga first came to the United
States in the 1890s, when Swami Vivekananda became a popular teacher and guide.
In the 1960s, the Maharishi Mahesh Yoga, the creator of Transcendental Meditation,
became a popular figure for America’s “hippie generation,” and the vogue has con-
tinued to grow since then.
The Western approach to yoga tends to be more fitness-oriented, while the Eastern
approach to yoga is to prepare people for the experience of self-realization. Most
Westerners begin yoga with the goal of managing their stress, learning to relax, and
increasing their vitality and well-being. After learning yoga, many become more
interested in the underlying principles of physical fitness and keeping the mind
focused, calm, and clear. Yoga is meant to prepare the body and mind for a useful,
dedicated life.Much More Than Headstands
The various methods of yoga all have the same goal: to attain a state of pure bliss
and oneness with the universe. RajaYoga emphasizes control of the intellect to
attain enlightenment, accomplished through meditation, concentration, and breath
control. KriyaYoga is the practice of quieting the mind through scriptural study,
breath control, mantras, and meditation. KarmaYoga focuses on service to all beings
as the path to enlightenment. BhaktiYoga emphasizes devotion to the divine. Inana
Yoga’s goal is wisdom and the direct knowledge of the divine. TantraYoga involves
the study of sacred writings and rituals. MantraYoga is the study of sacred sounds.
KundaliniYoga is the study of energy movement along the spine.
Although these many branches of yoga exist, this chapter focuses on HathaYogaas
the form of yoga most frequently practiced by Westerners. In this particular type of
yoga, the path to enlightenment is through control over the physical body as the
key to control of the mind and freedom of the spirit. Physical exercises, breath con-
trol, and meditation tone and strengthen the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.Eight Paths to Self-Realization
Classical yoga incorporates eight limbs or paths that provide structure for one’s daily
life. These physical and psychological practices are believed to contribute to a higher
level of personal development. The outer aspect of yoga consists of right living
(abstinence and personal discipline), right care of the body (body control), and190 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TOALTERNATIVE MEDICINE