Yoga is one of the oldest bodies of knowledge in human history: back in 2,700 BC, the Indus Saraswati Valley civilisation considered Yoga as an ‘immortal cultural outcome’.

 

The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. Yogic scriptures says that the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between mind and body, Men & Nature.

 

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written in the form of 196 sutras (short messages about life, consciousness and how to live well), is used as a manual by Yoga practitioners.

In the sutras, Patanjali defines Yoga as "chitta vritti nirodhah": “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind”. By calming our mental chatter we can begin to yoke: to observe and control our mind, and to finally cultivate the natural union with the supreme consciousness of the universe.

Equanimity in the mind is Yoga. The ability to remain centred in adverse situations is Yoga. Whatever brings us back to our true nature, which is harmony and joy, is Yoga.

 

To achieve chitta critti niorodhah, Yoga offers a path and a set of tools: they are meditation, observation, pranayama, asanas, purification, and studies.

 

Yoga is more than physical postures and it tends to became part of your life. Once you expand your consciousness about yourself there is no way back. Evolution is the ever present thing in the universe and as human beings we are all here to evolve.