How Yoga is Rooted in Hinduism
What is Yoga?
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root, “yuj,” which means to achieve a state of union. This can be interpreted in 2 ways:
1. Union of mind, body and soul
2. Union of the soul with the divine
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:
The foundational text on yoga. Written by the sage Patanjali in Sanskrit over 2,000 years ago, with ~200 short verses (sutras).
The sutras outline a structured path to yoga’s ultimate goal of liberation through self-realization.
The text describes the 8 limbs of yoga, meant to guide us in controlling our mind and actions.
There is no reference to God in the Sutras but only of Universal consciousness.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga:
Yamas: How to treat others and the world around us
Niyamas: The standards by which we should practice self-discipline.
Asana: The practice of the yoga postures
Pranayama: Breath control
Pratyahara: Sense withdrawal and the journey inward
Dharana: Single, painted focus and concentration
Dhyana: Meditation; fully engrossed in the present moment; and immense sense of peace, clarity, and stillness
Samadhi: Enlightenment
The Meaning of Om:
Considered to be the eternal sound of the universe, encompassing all other sounds within it. In Sanskrit, om is called Pranava, which means to hum.
To help deepen your state of meditation, focus in and up towards your third eye chakra with your eyes closed while chanting Om.
To form more complex mantras, add om to other Sanskrit words like "Om Mani Padme Hum." This is also a part of some Buddhist teachings.
In the Bhagavad Gita:
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna references principles of the 4 types of yoga to achieve moksha.
Lord Shiva and Yogi:
Lord Shiva is the OG Yogi. Symbolically seen as the source of all yogic knowledge and practices. For Shaivas, Shiva embodies the ideal yogi (disciplined, enlightened, and existing in perfect harmony with the universe).
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