'Yoga is mastery over the modifications of the mind' Yoga Sutra 1-2

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, 'to yoke, harness'.  The word yoga has a wide range of applications and definitions in the Sanskrit language, including 'union, join, bind'.1

However, early on, yoga came to be applied to 'spiritual endeavour/discipline'.  This can be related to the control of the mind (manas) and senses (indriya).  This usage was recorded in the Taittriya-Upanishad, dating back to the second millennium BCE.2

In succinct yoga is aiming to transcendent the ego self. This process can involve many types of yoga practice and disciplines.

1. Feurestein G, The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga, (1997), Shambhala.

2. Feurestein G, The Deeper Dimension of Yoga, (2003), Shambhala.

A Royal Path towards Enlightenment.

The ultimate aim of yoga is to merge with the 'One'. The path of yoga is a path of self-mastery.

The Self to be realised beyond the ego is 'Atman' or pure consciousness. Through disciplined yoga practice, the adept will eventually discover this intuitive enlightened state. In yogic terms this is known as 'Samadhi'.

As a mirror once tarnished by dust shines brightly again once it has been polished, so the accomplished yogi becomes free from grief and fear after once tasting the true nature of the Self.

Patanjali sets out the eight limbs of yoga:

Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharnana, dhyana, samadhi.

Infinite Chi Yoga has been created by Jason Chan to embrace the essence of Yoga in its purest form. It is simple, direct and faithful to Patanjali’s Eight Limb Path.

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Ashtanga yoga is a type of yoga practice which follows the eight limbs of yoga and is often referred to as raja (royal) yoga. This flowing form of yoga was developed by Sri Krishnamacharya. Sri Pattabhi Jois trained with Krishnamacharya and teaches ashtanga yoga in Mysore in India. 1

1 Jois P, The Yoga Mala, (2002), North Point Press

Connecting movement with breath in flowing yoga sequences. Erich Shiffman has written on this subject and runs various courses. For more information : www.movingintostillness.com

Children seem very responsive to yoga practice. Yoga can be fun and provide health benefits to children. For more information : www.yogabugs.com.