Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word, ‘YUJ’. It means to join, connect, or unite. It is the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. Yoga is 5000 years old Indian philosophy. It was first mentioned in the oldest sacred text – The Rig Veda (Vedas were a collection of texts containing mantras, spiritual information, songs and rituals to be used by Brahmins, the Vedic priests.

Yoga is being practiced in Indian society for thousands of years. A person doing yoga will move from one posture to the other called Asana. Yoga benefits people who practice it regularly.

The form of exercises performed in Yoga is called ‘Asana’ which is capable of bringing about the stability of body and mind. Yoga Asana is the simplest and easiest way to reduce our excess weight and keep fit.

ORIGIN OF YOGA

Yoga originated in ancient India thousands of years ago, long before the first religion or belief system was born. It is believed that Shiva is the first Yogi or Adiyogi and the first guru. Thousands of years ago, on the banks of Lake Kantisarovar in the Himalayas, Adiyogi shared his knowledge into legendary seven sages as it was hard to put all his wisdom and knowledge in one person. The sages took this powerful yogic science to various parts of the world, including Asia, North Africa, the Middle East, and South America. India is blessed to have found the yogic system in its fullest expression.

The fossil remains of Indus-Saraswati civilization are evidence of the presence of Yoga in ancient India. This presence finds a mention in folk traditions. It is included in the Indus valley civilization, Buddhist and Jain traditions. According to the studies, Yoga was being practiced under the direct guidance of a Guru and its spiritual value was given a lot of importance. Sun was given the highest importance during the Vedic period and that’s how Suryanamaskar was invented later on.

However, Maharishi Patanjali is known as the father of Modern Yoga. He did not invent Yoga as it was already there in various forms. He assimilated it into the system. He saw that it was getting quite complex for anyone to understand it in any meaningful way. So he assimilated and included all aspects into a certain format – Yoga Sutras.

The role of breath is very important in the practice of Asana or Yoga positions. Breath is a vital force and our body requirement of oxygen changes depending on our actions. If we exercise then we require more oxygen hence the breathing becomes faster and if we are relaxing then our breathing becomes relaxed and deep. In yoga, the focus is integrated on the breath while indulging in slow movements as well as while doing complete Asana. Yoga promotes smooth and relaxed inhalation and exhalation during the practice.

Conclusion

Yoga is only partially understood as being limited to Asana. But people fail to realize the immense benefits yoga offers in uniting the body, mind, and breath. Yoga can be opted and practiced by any age group and any body size. It is possible for anyone to start. The size and the fitness level don’t matter as there are modifications for every yoga asana according to different people.