More Than An Exercise Regime

Many students of yoga praise the practice for its incredible physical benefits. While the physical rewards are undeniable, it is important to understand that yoga is not merely stretching and exercise. Yoga is a life work in the process of self-realization.
 
Generally, Westerners are unaware of the philosophical foundations which support the practice of yoga. In order to fully reap the holistic benefits of yoga, an understanding of its nature and history is essential.

Ancient Philosophy

The origins of the tradition have been traced back over 5000 years to Sanskrit, the ancient Indo-European language of India 's ancient religious texts (the Vedas).
Although the word yoga has many translations, it has commonly come to describe a means of uniting, or a method of discipline. Originally, yoga emerged as oral tradition in the Sanskrit language in which the techniques and tenets of the practice were passed directly from teacher to student.
 
Approximately 2000 years ago an Indian sage by the name of Patanjali collected the oral tradition of yoga into the written word in his treatises on yogic philosophy, the Yoga Sutra.
 
The word sutra means 'thread' or 'the condensation of the greatest amount of knowledge into the most concise description possible'. Thus, the Yoga Sutra is a collection of 195 statements providing a philosophical guidebook for dealing with the challenges of being human. It provides guidance on how to gain mastery over the mind and emotions and offers advice on spiritual growth. It is the written framework upon which all yoga practiced today is based.

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