WHAT IS YOGA? Yoga is a way of life, an integrated system of education for the body, mind and inner spirit. This art of right living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago but since yoga deals with universal truth, it's teachings are as valid today as they were in ancient times. Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion, and it's techniques may be practised by buddhists, christians, muslims, jews, hindus and atheists alike. Yoga is union with all.

THE YOGIC PATH OF INNER PEACE Yoga is a life self-discipline based on the tenets of "simple living and high thinking". To the ancient yogis the body was seen as a vehicle for the soul and this is a useful metaphor in the modern context. Just as a car requires a lubricating system, a battery, a cooling system, the proper fuel and a responsible driver behind the wheel, so the body has certain needs if it is to function smoothly.

Yoga according to Swami Vishnu Devananda

Yoga is a way of complete life. A healthy mind and nervous system can only live in a strong, healthy body. Yoga emphasizes physical fitness. Observe the laws of health. Five things are important to obtain perfect health:

1.  Proper exercise

2.  Proper breathing

3.  Proper relaxation

4.  Proper food – diet

5.  Positive thinking and meditation

Rules for Yogic exercise:

1.  Perform exercise before taking a meal.

2.  Do not become tense when you are doing Yogic postures.

3.  Relax as much as possible and do slow movement.

4.  Concentrate your thoughts on the postures and breath, and don’t let your mind wander.

5.  Avoid eating meat, smoking and drinking in order to get spiritual benefits.

6.  After exercise do 10 to 15 minutes meditation by chanting Om. It brings you mental peace and health.

Remember, all the powers are in the mind. The body is only an instrument which the mind uses to perform various actions and experience pleasure or pain. You are never too old to start with Yogic exercises. At first you may find tightness in various muscles. This is due to biological shortening of ligaments. Full tone of muscles calls for the highest degree of their stretching and contracting. Most Yogic exercise are ? for the spine. Stiffness of the backbone means old age. Keep your spine elastic and supple and be young. ‘Persevere.’ Do not stop the practice after a few weeks. You have to practice at least 6 months to 1 year to obtain significant benefit from the exercise. The more you practice the more you can benefit. First we practice some breathing.

YOGA – Oneness of the Atman (self) and Brahman (the absolute existence, consciousness and bliss) is the real goal of Yoga.

Yoga has been defined in the Upanishads and Bhagavadgita: “When the senses are withdrawn from their respective objects in the entire world, when the mind is controlled and the intellect des not move, that state is called supreme state of Yoga (Samadhi). Ultimate happiness is the true message of Yoga.”

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