Yoga Practice Sketch

Yoga (Sanskrit योग IAST yoga masculine; from yuga 'yoke', yuj for: 'to yoke, bind together, harness) is a philosophical doctrine originating in India that includes a series of mental and physical exercises or practices such as yama, niyama, asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, kriyas, meditation, and asceticism. The term yoga can mean "union" or "integration" as well as be understood in the sense of "harnessing" (cf. "yoking") and "straining" the body to the soul for collection and concentration or becoming one with consciousness. Since every path to self-knowledge can be called yoga, there are numerous names for the different yoga paths in Hinduism, which are adapted to the respective dispositions of those striving for self-knowledge. Already the older Upanishads (ca. 700 B.C.) describe breathing exercises and the withdrawal of the senses (Pratyahara) into the Atman as an aid to meditation (Dhyana).

The middle Upanishads, written around 400 B.C., mention the term yoga several times and also the essential elements of the later yoga system. Yoga was closely related to the theories developed by the philosophical system of Samkhya and formed its practical continuation. In the Indian epic Mahabharata around 300 BC, yoga already occupies a significant place and is mentioned as a practical counterpart to the theoretical Sânkhya. While in the Mahabharata and in the older Puranas the sage (rishi) Kapila and others are named as founders of yoga, Patanjali appears at this place in younger Puranas.

However, it may be assumed that Patanjali summarized the traditional yoga teachings from the period between the 2nd century BC and the 4th century AD. His work consists of 194 short mnemonic sayings (sutras) spread over four books. The classical Indian scriptures describe four yoga paths: Raja Yoga is the name of the meditation-oriented stages of the Eight-Limbed Yoga according to Patanjali, Jnana Yoga (yoga of knowledge, intellectual direction), Karma Yoga (yoga of deed, of selfless action), Bhakti Yoga (yoga of love/worship/ devotion to God or an Ishtadevata). The fifth major yoga path, established between the 13th and 14th centuries, is hatha yoga.