Yoga is such a vast topic. It is not possible to explore all aspects in twenty six blog posts. The intention was also not to make in depth study of any aspect. The purpose was to give some idea about the vastness of the topic and break lots of myths associated with yoga. At the … Continue reading Zipping it up
Tag: Yoga
yoginis: the mysterious female yogis of ancient India
In the blog post Universal Appeal of Yoga I have brought out as to how people have risen above national, religious, ideological, and sectarian interests to adopt yogic practices and how it appeals to a broad spectrum of people. While many of the things of ancient civilisations across the world were exclusive male bastions, it … Continue reading yoginis: the mysterious female yogis of ancient India
Existential issues and yoga
In our very first post in this series we have examined how Arjuna's dilemma as to whether to fight against his own relatives or not became an existential issue. He was so confused, he began questioning his own integrity. He was doubtful about the direction of his belief system. He was not sure whether the … Continue reading Existential issues and yoga
Warnings on the way
Do not fall for miracles Patanjali yoga sutras has four sections : Samadhi Pada, Sadhana Pada, Vibhuti Pada, Kailbalya Pada. In the third Pada Patanjali describes various magical powers one can obtain by the use of yoga. But it comes with lots of warnings. Siddhis or the power to perform miracles has high chance of … Continue reading Warnings on the way
vrittis – various modes of consciousness
वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाSक्लिष्टा:vrittayah panchatayah klista-klistahप्रमाणविपर्ययविकल्पनिद्रास्मृतयःpramana- viparyaya - vikalpa- nidra- smritayah While defining yoga, Maharshi Patanjali talked about various modes of consciousness. I did not address this issue while discussing about the definition of yoga as per Patanjali. But I had promised that I would discuss it in a subsequent post. So here it is. There … Continue reading vrittis – various modes of consciousness
Universal appeal of yoga
Yoga has attracted adherents from diverse backgrounds. International Yoga Day came into existence in 2014. But long before that people have come to India from many parts of the Globe to learn yoga. Indian yogic masters have also gone to many countries to conduct yoga classes. With time, the demand for yoga classes have increased. … Continue reading Universal appeal of yoga
Three inner practices
यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२९॥Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi - are the eight limbs (Patanjali Yogasutras - 2:29) There are eight limbs of yoga. The first five limbs are known as outer practices and the rest three are known as inner practices. The first five limbs of yoga prepares the yogi for the next three.The outer … Continue reading Three inner practices
Regularly, for a long time, and with a sense of honour
स तु दीर्घकालनैरन्तर्यसत्कारासेवितो दृढभूमिः ॥ १.१४॥Sa tu dīrgha-kāla-nairantarya-satkārā-sevito dṛḍha-bhūmiḥ || Patanjali Yogasutras 1.14 || The sutra given at the top means: One's foundation becomes strong if one practises regularly, for a long time, and with a sense of honour. Of course this requires some context. I must start from the beginning of the yoga sutras. … Continue reading Regularly, for a long time, and with a sense of honour
Puja rituals and yoga
An elder performing puja ritual with an oil lamp in front of decorated deities Many of the concepts of Eight Limbs of Yoga will be used extensively in this post. In case you are not familiar with those eight limbs please go through this blog post. Prior knowledge of eight limbs of yoga will help … Continue reading Puja rituals and yoga
Om is its indication
A diverse group meditates together in a serene mountain pavilion. First try, then trust Maharishi Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras has taken a very scintific appraoch to yoga. Normally matters of religion and spirituality are based on faith. Faith in God is the starting point of many religious and spiritual practices. But Patanjali seems to … Continue reading Om is its indication
PEBBLES AND WAVES 