The practice of Yoga has been used for centuries to promote a
sense of physical and spiritual well-being. Although the origins
of Yoga are shrouded in mystery, it is generally accepted to
have begun at the dawn of civilization some 5000 years ago. A
number of respected scholars have suggested that Yoga grew out
of the shamanistic culture of Mehgarh, located in the region now
known as Afghanistan. In fact, many facets of Hindu culture have
their roots in Mehgarh.
The principle goal of the practice of Yoga is to assist
practitioners in the transcendence of the human condition. It
was an attempt to discern the order of the cosmos, and to apply
those principles to daily living. Yoga has been linked to the
Indus-Sarasvati civilization, which was one of the oldest and
most advanced of the ancient cultures. This civilization also
gave birth to some of the oldest scriptures ever discovered in
modern times. The Vedas are considered by many as a form of
divine revelation, and contain many references to a higher power
and to the practice of Yoga.
On the physical plain, Yoga has shown incredible promise in
treating and managing many illnesses. The practice of Yoga has a
number of physical benefits for practitioners. It facilitates
flexibility, and assists in the lubrication of joints, tendons,
and ligaments. Many of the poses and positions work to massage
the organs, thus stimulating the body's detoxification process.
The physical benefits of Yoga are often considered secondary to
the spiritual development. Yoga has the incredible ability to
bring into harmony the physical and the spiritual elements of
the individual experience.
Meditation also plays a significant role in Yoga. By combining
intense meditation with specialized physical exercise,
practitioners are able to achieve a unity of body, mind, and
soul. The intent is to create a sense of balance and harmony,
both internally and externally. The emotional calmness
associated with meditation works to reduce stress, which is
considered by many as one of the root causes of physical
illness. The primary goal of Yoga is to empower the individual
to transcend the physical world and to achieve a sense of
enlightenment or self-realization. For those interested in
understanding and fully realizing the oneness of all things, a
commitment to the principles and practice of Yoga will
undoubtedly unlock the secrets of the cosmos in all their
wondrous glory.
About the author:
Brodi Saatpha has been practicing Yoga for a number of years.
When she is not striving to transcend reality, she writes for
yoga-insight.com - an enlightening and refreshing website with
information about the history of yoga, yoga certification, worldwide yoga
retreats and more.
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