A land of cultural plurality and rich ancient wisdom, India is known for its traditional systems of medicine that view health and well-Hey being in a unique way. Widely recognised as the ‘Indian system of medicine’, these branches of science focus on achieving overall health and Wellness in humans, having been used successfully for centuries to treat various diseases. Among these traditional medicine systems, yoga is the science of achieving absolute union with the divine and ‘Tantra’ is a way of controlling the energy that makes the ultimate union with truth, possible. This is one of the oldest Sciences of the world wish originated in India, and is very useful for preserving and maintaining one’s physical and mental health and also for spiritual evolution.
The term ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘YUJ’, meaning to join or to you or to Unite. As per the yogic scriptures the practice of yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the universal consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, man and nature. WHO has recognised yoga as one of several traditional therapeutic systems that originates in India and, yoga training and therapy departments are being opened in, reputed, established medical institutions and hospitals.
The aim of yoga is self-realisation, to overcome all kinds of sufferings leading to ‘the state of liberation’.
Some of the widely practiced Yoga Sadhans (practices) are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana (Meditation), Samadhi/ Samyama, Bandhas & Mudras, Shat-Karmas, Yukta-ahara, Yukta-Karma, etc.
Yamas are restraints and Niyamas are observances. These are considered to be pre-requisites of the Yoga Sadhanas (Practices).
Asanas are capable of bringing about stability of body and mind.
Pranayama consist in developing awareness of one’s breathing followed by well full regulation of of respiration as the functional or vital basis of one’s existence. He helps in developing awareness of one’s mind and helps to establish control over the mind.
Pratyahara indicates dissociation hey of one’s consciousness (withdrawal) from the sense organ which helps want to remain connected with the external objects.
Dharna indicates broad-based field of attention (inside the body and mind) which is usually understood as concentration.
Dhayna (Meditation) is contemplation (focussed attention inside the body and mind) and Samadhi/ Samayama integration.
Bandhas and Mudras Our practices associated with Pranayama. They are viewed as higher Yogic practices mainly consisting of adopting certain body (psychological) patterns along with control over respiration.
Yukta-ahara (right food and other inputs) advocates appropriate food and food habits for healthy living.
Nearly 32 million people are practicing yoga in United States alone and this trend is further growing. In few countries yoga has been incorporated in the school curriculum. On December 11, 2014 he the 193-member United Nations General Assembly approved the hey proposal by consensus record 177 countries Co-sponsoring a resolution to stablish 21st June as international day of yoga. this has propelled the popularity of propagation of yoga to a great extent. Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (Aayush), Government of India, is the nodal agency to coordinate various activities for the celebration of International Day of yoga.
Traditionally, yoga education was imparted by knowledgeable, experienced and wise persons in the families (comparable with the education imparted in convents in the West) and then by the seers (Rishis/Munis/Acharyas) in Ashrams.
Yoga education, on the other hand, aims at taking care of individual, the ‘Being’. It is presumed that a good, balanced, integrated, truthful, clean, transparent person will be more useful to oneself, family, society, nation, nature and humanity at large.
Yoga education is being imparted by many eminent yoga institutions, your colleges, yoga universities, yoga departments in the universities, naturopathy colleges and private trusts and societies. Many yoga clinics, yoga therapy and training centres, preventive healthcare units of yoga, yoga research centres, etc. have been established in hospitals, dispensaries, medical institutions, and Therapeutical set-ups.
The widespread popularity of yoga around the globe has culminated in the development of several modern schools or styles of yoga.