As the world celebrates the International Day of Yoga, it’s time for this ancient art of inner blossoming to be in the spotlight. Thanks to the global patronage that yoga has received over the last few years, the acceptance and popularity of yoga has broken many barriers.
One of the most common misconceptions about yoga is that it is just another form of physical exercise. While asanas, or physical postures do provide the entry point for many, the science of yoga is vast and profound. The central teaching of yoga is maintaining an equanimous state of mind. Being able to do any action with mindfulness, being aware of what you are saying or doing makes you a yogi. Yoga is a spiritual science. Knowing ‘What this is’ is science. Knowing ‘Who am I’ is spirituality.
Yoga is about aligning all the rhythms of life. It is the discipline of studying and harmonising our inner faculties. This wholesome life-skill can elevate the quality of one’s life and surroundings. It improves inner strength and outer connections.
There is this beautiful sutra by Maharishi Patanjali that says,."Prayatna-Shaithilya-
The Yoga Sutras, propounded by Sage Patanjali, are not detailed expositions; instead they lay down the entire philosophy of yoga in very brief phrases that need to be unlocked with the guidance of a master. They act as milestones and guideposts as one discovers deeper states of consciousness with practice. However, even in its most gross form, yoga promises unimaginable transformation for the human mind and body. Even if people start doing yoga asanas just as an exercise, it’s still an encouraging sign.
Patanjali also says that the purpose of yoga is to stop misery before it comes. Whether it is greed, anger, jealousy, hatred, or frustration, all these negative emotions can be healed or re-oriented through yoga. When we are happy, we notice a sense of expansion within us. When we face failure or when someone insults us, we find that there is something in us that shrinks. Yoga is putting our attention on this something in us that seems to be expanding when we are happy and crushing or contracting when we feel unhappy.
Does yoga conflict with any of our belief systems? If I believe in a particular religion, or a particular philosophy, or if I follow a particular political ideology, does that come in conflict with yoga? I would say, not at all. It always promotes and encourages harmony in diversity and the word ‘yoga’ itself means uniting. It is just like our breath. Can you say your breath belongs to a particular religion or philosophy?
Today almost 2 billion people practise yoga globally. With the momentum of the International Day of Yoga, the rest of the population must also be encouraged to experience the positive benefits of yoga. People doing yoga for whatever reason is a positive sign. It doesn’t really matter where one starts. I believe that yoga can make this dream of a world full of compassion and happiness, a reality.