Aim of Yoga

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We all know what pain is.

Prehistoric humans felt pain as they were scorched by heat and lashed by the vagaries of nature.

Modern humans also feel pain as they are scorched by stress and strain that afflicts their bodies and minds.

The science of yoga begins with the subject of sorrow and provides a solution for overcoming pain.

Yoga aims at the purification of the body and mind, which results in emancipation from suffering. By regular and dedicated practice of the eight components of yoga, the impurities of the practitioners body, mind and intelligence are removed, and one is bestowed with spiritual light and wisdom.

Sage Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, describes the five afflictions and the nine obstacles as imperfections in the health of the body and the state of mind.

Vyadhistyanasanshayapramadalasyaviratibhrantidarshanablabdha
bhumikatvanavasthitatvanichitavikshepaantarayaha|| 30 ||

P.Y.S. 1:30

Meaning: The obstacles are disease, dullness, doubt, procrastination, laziness, craving, erroneous perception, inability to achieve finer stages and instability

The nine obstacles as described by sage Patanjali are:

• Disease (at any level; physical, psychological or emotional)
• Dullness (lack of vital force)
• Doubt between right and wrong
• Procrastination
• Laziness (physical, attitudinal and emotional)
• Craving (mental as well as emotional)
• False perception
• Inability to progress along a spiritual path
• Instability of the whole being

Duhkhordaormanasyangamejayatvashvasaprashvasa
vikshepasahabhuvaha || 31 ||

P.Y.S. 1:31

Pain, depression, shaking of the body and un-rhythmic breathing are the accompanying symptoms of mental distraction.

The Five Afflictions accompanying the Nine Obstacles are:

• Physical pain
• Mental depression
• Vibrations in the body
• Irregular inhalation and exhalation
• Unfocused mind

By nature, the human body is dull and sluggish, the mind is active and dynamic and the Self is illuminative. The practice of yoga destroys the sluggishness of the body and makes it as agile as the active mind. Then both the body and the mind transcend to the level of the illuminative Self, with perfect health in the body, stability in the mind and clarity in the intellect.

Yoga is a science of evolution. All persons, irrespective of caste, color or race can practice yoga. The only prerequisite is regular practice and the spirit of detachment.