Yoga started over 5000 years ago in parts of India. Today it has become a tradition and a modern way of exercising as its benefits can easily be seen and felt. It is a fun and healing way to get in balance. Yoga is unique as it suits all and can be practised by anyone. Through defferent asanas (poses), breathingexercises and meditation you rebalance your body.
The Roots of Yoga – The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “Yuj” meaning to join or unite. To unite body with mind and mind with soul – to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life. Yoga is not a religion, it doesn´t belong to either Hinduism or Buddhism. You can find yoga in the tradition of Hinduism but it is only a thought system and a philosophy way of living.
The Aim of Yoga – According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ultimate aim of Yoga is to reach “Kaivalya” (ultimate freedom). This is the experience of one’s inner “soul” (the Purusa). Then one becomes free of chains of cause and effect (Karma) which tie us to continual reincarnation. In Kaivalya one is said to exist in peace and tranquility.
The Paths of Yoga – There are said to be 4 main paths, according to the Bhagavad Gita, by which to reach the ultimate goal of Yoga – “Kaivalya.” There is the path of Knowledge (Jnana) in which one learns to discriminate between what is real and what is illusory, the path of Selfless work (Karma), the path of Devotion (Bhakti) and the path of control of the mind (Yoga) where all the activities of the mind and consciousness are studied and brought under control.
The Philosophy of Yoga – comes from many sources with differing emphasis depending on the understanding of the author. The Vedas and Upanishads give some of the earliest references to the paths of yoga. These scriptures form the basis of Indian religious practices but contain many varied references to yoga and other things. There are the Puranas, also ancient, which deal with the nature of the universe. Famous epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabarata contain stories of the gods and lectures on moral and philosophical subjects with references to yogis and yogic practices. The Bhaghavad Gita is a particularly famous part of the Mahabarata which contains a detailed discourse on yoga by Krisna to Arjuna. Other texts such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are more “technical manuals” of yoga which go into detail on technique as opposed to just the theory.
The varied philosophies and methodologies of Yoga itself were clearly and methodically brought together and presented in “Yoga Sutra”s of Patanjali, written some 2200 years ago. The Sutras bring together all the various strands of theory and practice from all sources of yoga and present them in one concise, integrated and comprehensive text. There are 8 disciplines to yoga as presented by Patanjali which must be practiced and refined in order to perceive the true self- the ultimate goal of Yoga:
1. Yama – Universal ethics: Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual restraint and non-acquisitiveness.
2. Niyama – Principles of self conduct: purity, contentment, intense dedication or austerity, study of self and scriptures and self-surrender.
3. Asana – practice of the postures.
4. Pranayama – Breath control.
5. Pratyahara – withdrawal and control of the senses.
6. Dharana – concentration.
7. Dhyana – meditation.
8. Samadhi – a state of higher consciousness.
These Sutras were and are still considered a most profound and enlightening study of the human psyche. Patanjali shows how through the practice of Yoga, we can transform ourselves, gain mastery over the mind and emotions, overcome obstacles to our spiritual evolution and attain the goal of yoga, liberation from the bondage of worldly desires.

”Yoga cannot be explained, it can only be experienced.” Iyengar