Yoga is an ancient Indian science

Nobody really knows how old the science of yoga is. It goes back to the Vedic times and has been mentioned in the Upanishads, including the Gita. Sage Patanjali is credited with the first attempt to collate all the knowledge contained in this ancient Indian science. His book titled ‘Yoga Sutras’, is a collection of 198 aphorisms in Sanskrit, explaining the theoretical and practical aspects of the science. This book dates back to around 200 bc.

The mind and body nexus

Patanjali defines yoga as ‘yogah chitta vritti nirodah’, or the science that prevents fluctuations of the mind. In other words, yoga is the science of mind control. The sages knew that the mind and body are inextricably connected. Therefore any attempt to control our physical health depends on our ability to understand the mind-body connection. Even more importantly, the sages knew of the huge untapped potential of the human mind. And developed a science that enables man to realize his full physical, mental and spiritual potential.

The eight-fold path or ashtanga yoga

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali has enunciated the eight-fold or ‘ashtang’ path of yoga. Which includes, yama (universal ethical laws), niyama (personal codes of discipline), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control), and pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi (the four stages in mastering mind control or meditation). Each of these eight limbs needs to be understood and practiced for an integrated development of one’s physical, mental and emotional potential.

The Chakras

Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning wheel, or vortex, and it refers to each of the seven energy centers of which our consciousness, our energy system, is composed. These chakras, or energy centers, function as pumps or valves, regulating the flow of energy through our energy system. The functioning of the chakras reflects decisions we make concerning how we choose to respond to conditions in our life. We open and close these valves when we decide what to think, and what to feel, and through which perceptual filter we choose to experience the world around us. There are seven main Chakras in your body.