Meaning of Yoga

Homework task is to find, research as many meanings of the word yoga...

'The word yoga means 'unity' or 'oneness' and is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means 'to join.' This unity or joining is described in spiritual terms as the union of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. On a more practical level, yoga is a means of balancing and harmonising the body, mind and emotions.' 

(Swami Satyananda Saraswati)

'to come together,' 'to unite,' 'to tie the strands of the mind together,' 'to attain what was previously unattainable.'

(T. K. V. Desikachar)

'Yoga is a classical Indian science dealing dealing with the search for the soul. The word 'yoga' signifies both the way to discovery of the soul and union with it.

(Silva, Mira and Shyam Mehta)

'Yoga means yoke, union, or discipline... 

...to strengthen the body, to bring flexibility not only to the spine, but to the mind, and to calm the nervous system and quiet the mind enough to connect the practitioner more deeply to his or her spiritual centre.'

(Linda Sparrowe)

'Yoga is a philosophy, a science and an art.'

(Silva, Mira and Shyam Mehta)

Moon Bathing

 A full storm moon visits us tonight, I sit in Sidasana practicing a moving hand mudra and mantra meditation: 

'I am watering my soul with the universal flow. I trust in my higher self and have the courage to realise my potential and achieve my dreams' (Franks: 2000).

Alongside looking into the many paths of yoga, vinyasa, preparation for forward bends and our usual mammoth morning warm-up, we briefly touched on Mudra and Mantra Yoga in the second foundation day session. With a focus on the mantra sound Om - the sound of the universe and some practice of this magnificent mantra. After three Om's just sitting comfortable Danielle guided us into practice of three Om's with the hand mudra of knowledge 'Jana Mudra' alternating between Jana Mudra and open palms, encouraging us to notice any differences. I notice a subtle difference; when holding Jana Mudra I felt the Om was held within, less external more inward and without the depth of sound outside the body, the depth of sound appeared held within. I was rather fascinated when doing some further reading on yoga mudra later in the week and finding a concept that possibly relates, or theories my physical experience...   

'The nadis and chakras constantly radiate prana which normally escapes from the body and dissipates into the external world. By creating barriers within the body through the practice of mudra, the energy is redirected within.'

(Swami Satyananda Saraswati: 1969)

After my moon bathing, mudra and mantra meditation, before going to sleep that night, I looked out the window taking one last peck at the moon (which was by now beginning the waning process), only to see that it was sitting directly above my bed so I drew back the curtains and lay my head on the light filled, slivery pillow. I fell asleep bathing in the moons, watery, light; I slept fully and peacefully waking feeling rejuvenated and ready for the cold grey day, always fully aware that behind the rain filled clouds the moon is ever present...     

Yoga Journal Article on Philosophy of the Sound Om (click to view article)

'Some Thoughts to Ponder'

Still in the early stages of this art of yoga foundation study, personal and shared life journey, I have some thoughts to ponder with you, which come from some reading I stumbled across in a very old book a dear friend gave me...

"Who is man's great teacher? None other than man himself. Is it not he who reads the enigmatic signs at the crossroads of life, advancing his steps from birth to birth? Are not his senses sufficient to enable him to speak his earthly tongue? Does he not come a traveler equipped for the long journey of life? What mystery does the casket of his brain conceal? And is his heart not hidden away so that none can know what treasure is contains? Like a seed yielding its possession of a mighty tree, so too does man yield the divinity he conceals. We may clothe his naked form for a while, we may strengthen his limbs with food, we may shed some earthly light on his human path, put in the end it is he who grows by giants steps, it is he who speaks the immortal tongues, and it is he who vanishes when his play is played."

(Selvarajan Yesudian, translated by D.Q. Stephenson: 1979, p15)

Introduction Day and The History of Yoga

Induction day began with a rather dynamic morning warm-up, lots of chaturanga, holding blank for 5 breaths and updogs (urdhva mukha svanasana), Danielle always manages to keep it light hearted and fun though! I was reminded, physical and mentally of the experience and concept of the muggy water settling that I had felt on my Spanish yoga retreat with Danielle last summer. After all the flowing movement we come to Pranamasana (standing prayer pose), finding complete stillness and watching, allowing the muggy waters to settle - in this moment of stillness I feel, visualise blood rushing and flowing around the inner body created by the dynamic, flowing movement, stillness gives me the opportunity to tune into the blood flow watching it slowly still, just like muggy water settling in a glass.

We then looked at the history of yoga and it is here that a real connection resides in me between yoga and art. Like all historical and cultural happenings there is a rich artistic accompaniment for the period such as, Greek and Roman Art associated with mythological figures, the Pharaohs and Egyptian art and architecture, Renaissance Art and Elizabethan Theatre. The history of yoga, dating back 5000 years (approx.) also leaves art and artefacts handed down and possibly used as a way of understanding this ancient tradition. The first yogic art appears to be the scriptures, postures and figures of gurus carved into stone...

A steatite seal of a yogi seated in meditation, from the Mohenjo-Daro region of
ancient India, ca. 1500 B.C.E.
(Linda Sparrowe: 2008,  p11)

Relief Sculpture from Hindu temple in
Sumatra depicts yogis performing asanas.
(Linda Sparrowe: 2008, p12-13)