The Importance of Being Aware About the Yogic Traditions

(Pic courtesy: metlifestyle.com)

Culture and tradition are two things that are always associated with India and is an integral part of the country. The heritage of India is deep rooted and consists of ancient knowledge and teachings that span centuries. While the nation as a whole has accomplished so much over decades, it still holds on to some of its beliefs and teachings of yore. Yoga has been part of the Indian culture and tradition for centuries now. Although it has evolved and adapted to suit the taste of the modern day Yogi, the core values are still the same.  

The tradition and teachings of Yoga have crossed several borders and people from around the world are adopting it. The modernized version of Yoga has been modified to attract more people. But there are still some places in India that practice Yoga in its true essence. Yoga is a spiritual science which has evolved through hundreds and thousands of years of practice, study, and experience. The union of mind, our emotions, and our soul is what underlies the Yogic tradition.

Researchers say that Yoga was practiced way before the Indus Valley people and there are many wall murals that depict the different Yoga postures and teachings. Although Maharishi Patanjali was the one who jotted down all the information and knowledge regarding Yoga, he was not the one who invented the practice. Yoga had been around even before his time. The teachings were based on from one person to another and evolved with each century.

Strengthen the Mind-Body Connect With Yoga

(Pic coutresy: Thinking in Vedas)

Amidst the teachings of Yoga, there is a huge place for Lord Shiva who is considered as a symbol of the supreme sense of unity and consciousness. The union of Shiva and Parvati is something that many are aware of, Yogic tradition manifests a similar sense of union.  That is a powerful union of the soul with the ultimate self.  Ashtanga Yoga is the one most Yoga practitioners are aware of, but there were other forms and types of Yoga in the ancient times. The tradition of meditation that came from the period of Buddha was also added to the overall practice of Yoga.

(Pic courtesy: yogaclothinguk.wordpress.com)

(Pic courtesy: www.beattractive.org) 

Today meditation and asanas go hand in hand and one is incomplete without the other. Unlike most people think, Yoga is not a religion or Hinduism. Yoga is a way of life which is dedicated to enriching our health and also decluttering our minds. It’s ideal for people who want to lead a wholesome life wherein they are free from a clouded vision of ego, anger and other negative emotions.

(Pic courtesy: www.theresnomagicpill.com)

The underlying philosophy is that of spiritual liberation and discarding impurities from our body and mind. Along with the daily practice of Yoga, the Yogis or ascetics believed in consuming a simple vegetarian fare that enriches the body. The actual practice of Yoga was more intensive and exclusive compared to the modern take on it.  Yoga started with a soothing OUM chanting and breathing exercise to prepare the body for the exercise and then performing all the asanas. It was a way to connect and communicate with God. Although we have left behind a lot of concepts and teachings of Yoga, it still maintains all the important teachings.