Yoga is one of the oldest traditions that has come down through time. From the first, yoga was practiced as a way to better oneself and become enlightened. Ancient yogis practiced the physical asanas or poses to further their ability to meditate and develop their spirituality. Originally spoken in Sanskrit, yoga was an oral tradition that was passed from teacher to student. Around 500 BC the oral traditions began to be collected, written down and organized into the Yoga Sutra. Other classical yoga texts include the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita.
The word Yoga has many different interpretations – “to come together”, “to unite”, “to quiet the vicissitudes of the mind”, “to attain what was previously unattainable”. If we learn how to bend over so we can touch our toes, or learn about yoga from a book, or learn something new about ourselves or someone else through discussion, we have reached a place where we haven’t been before. Each of these changes or movements is yoga.
Another aspect of yoga is focusing all our attention on whatever activity we are involved in. The advantage of this attentiveness or mindfulness is that we perform that activity better and are conscious of the actions we take to perform it. Everything we do can take on a certain freshness. There is no thoughtless repetition. Being “in the moment” is a very healthy place for our minds to be. We aren’t dwelling on past mistakes or negative happenings. We aren’t worried or fearful of the future. “The past is history - the future a mystery. The present is a gift. That’s why it’s called ‘the present’.”
Another classic definition of yoga is “to be one with the divine”. God, Allah, Isvara, etc. are names for the divine. Whatever helps us understand that there is a power greater and higher than ourselves is yoga. As we try to be in harmony with the divine, to surrender our will to that higher power, that is yoga. We don’t have to subscribe to any particular religion or idea of the divine to practice yoga. Although yoga has its roots in Indian thought it can be applied in a universal way. Yoga is the way we make desirable change in our lives. It only requires us to act and to be attentive to our actions. It may bring us closer to God; it may bring us greater happiness; it may help us achieve a new goal – it is a personal matter. The physical aspect of yoga (hatha yoga), the asanas or poses, is the yoga of choice in the United States. Understanding and choosing what yoga means for each of us on a personal level brings meaning, purpose, and direction to our practice, and it might help you survive the quarantine.