In my introductory post, I gave you an overview of my project idea which is Yoga – not just an exercise. Today, people start to practice Yoga without knowing its true meaning. So, today lets’ see its literal meaning and then see what is the true purpose of yoga.
The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj” (pronounced as yug) which literally means “union”. This union doesn’t refer to touching your toes with your fingers or balancing yourself on your arms. But this union is about individual consciousness with divine consciousness. It is one of the 6 branches of Vedas, one of the oldest scriptures. Recognizing one source of all consciousness and all creation, yoga as a philosophy can be practiced by anyone, of any religious faith or background.
Putting it in simple words then Yoga uses breathing techniques, exercise, and meditation. It helps to improve health and happiness. Good health and happiness – yes that’s what we all want these days. Isn’t? Health can be attained with proper eating and exercising but happiness? Good health, a toned body can be attained by doing Yoga regularly. Alike Aerobics or Zumba, you will not get immediate results but Yoga effects start showing slowly but they are long term. We will talk about what mistakes beginners make when they start practicing Yoga in the next post.
Today let’s talk about Happiness. How can we experience happiness? Today, our definition of happiness of has been changed. We associate our happiness with tangible objects. But inner happiness cannot be attained with objects. Research has shown that the ability to become aware of and regulate the breath is key in terms of lowering stress. Happiness is the inside job. People who look happy have also gone through tough phases in their lives. But they have learned to happy with what they have. When we forget that happiness is an inside job and look for validation externally, we will always end up disappointed.
Since the word Yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word which has happiness as one of the most important element or purpose, I tried to find its synonyms. I could think of Sukh (pleasure), Santosh (contentment/satisfaction), Anand (bliss), and Mudit (spiritual happiness). Even though they are synonyms of happiness but still the level of happiness is different for each of them. Experiencing happiness or training our mind to be happy and content is a step-by-step process. Someone who has just embarked on this journey, it may not be a very pleasant experience at first but once s(he) learns to focus on the current state, be happy in it and hold that moment then that’s the true meaning of Yoga – attainment of happiness.
