Introduction To Yoga

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According to ancient Indian wisdom, no knowledge is more important than the Yoga Shastra. The Vedas call it Vidya, meaning the knowledge.

God Shiva describes it in Sivasamhita:

Alokya sarvashastrani vicharya cha punahpunah |
Idamekam sunishpannam yogashastram param matam ||

Meaning: On studying all of the shastras, and constantly meditating on them, I have come to the conclusion that no shastra is so worthy of study as the Yoga Shastra.

Yoga is a perfect practical system for self-evolution.

There is eternal life in the soul or spirit. The intrinsic nature of the human mind is to avoid pain and acquire lasting pleasure.

Complete elimination of the three kinds of pain and realization of supreme happiness is the aim of all human desire. The three kinds of eternal pain are adhyatmika, adhibhautika and adhidaivika. Adhyatmika tapa defines physical and mental suffering such as fever, diabetes or joint pain. The suffering produced by natural and extra-organic causes like infection, dog attack or snakebite is adhibhautika tapa. Adhidaivika tapa describes suffering resulting from planetary influences like volcanoes, floods or earthquakes. Yoga ends this three-fold misery, bringing spiritual enfoldment and creating harmony in our life.

The foundation of yoga is rooted in ancient Indian wisdom and civilization. Yoga is one of the most effective and integrated systems for gaining control and experiencing supreme joy in life. Yoga incorporates different aspects of science, philosophy and art. Each single practice can be viewed as a textual study or from a therapeutic, imaginative or symbolic perspective.

Yoga expands the horizons of our awareness at different levels, teaches detachment from the senses and concentration of the mind within. Offering peace of mind and real relaxation on a long term basis, yoga will help you to achieve optimum physical and psychological health. Yoga is a system of physical, mental and spiritual techniques and is a practical, lively approach to life. It is the master key to open the realms of eternal bliss and deep-residing peace.

Yoga is not a religion, a philosophical doctrine or a mystical cult. It is the wisdom of life - an experience. Yoga is an intelligent and self-conscious effort towards achieving universal existence. Yoga brings a message of hope to the forlorn, joy to the depressed, strength to the weak and knowledge to the ignorant. One can transcend humanity and reach the realm of divinity with yoga.