What is Yoga, the bridge imagen represents UNION, root of the word Yoga

What is Yoga?

There are several definitions, but if we look at the root of the word, yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj that means to join, to yoke or to unite.

Ok but, what union are they talking about?

This union refers to a harmony between body, mind and soul. As the highest goal, this is a union between the individual consciousness and a higher reality / divine intelligence / God / universal consciousness.

Yoga definitions. Pile of stones as a symbol of balance, one of the Yoga definitions

So, what are other Yoga definitions? You said there are several...

For example, in the Vedas (the oldest scriptures of Hinduism), Yoga is Samadhi.

According to Maharishi Patanjali, compilator of the Yoga Sutras (one of the most famous texts in Traditional Yoga) yoga is “yogah citta vrtti nirodhah” (yoga is the complete restraint of the modifications of the mind/ personality complex).

 Vyasa, one of the most respected commentators, in his work on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, wrote “Yuj Samadhao” (Yoga is Samadhi).

In the Hindu scripture The Bhagavad Gita we find two main deffinitions: Yoga is Samatvam (balance, equanimity) and Yoga is Excellence in Work.

Samadhi Definition: Hand receiving light as a metaphor of the spiritual union with a higher reality

Excuse me...What is Samadhi?

The yogis who have experienced the highest states of Samadhi describe it like a blissful state where the individual consciousness is merged with the universal consciousness/God.

Can be defined as well as the meditation state in which the observer loses his individual consciousness to identify himself with the object of meditation (Yoga Sutras 3.1)

Misconceptions about Yoga. ¿Is Yoga a religion? Picture of a monk’s hands joined in a praying attitude as a representation of religion

So, is Yoga a religion?

Ishvara (concept of God) is present in the philosophy of Yoga but no specific doctrine, creed or faith is prescribed. Of course, as it was born in India, you can find many references to Yoga in the Hindu scriptures.

But Yoga is not a religion even though it can help religious people of any creed to experience a healthier body, a more balanced mind, personal development, etc.

God in Yoga helps evolve and grow by concentrating on an entity that is all powerful and free of negative tendencies.

Misconceptions about Yoga. ¿Is Yoga a therapy? Picture of a bunch of pills representing medical treatment

Is Yoga a therapy?

Yoga is a way of life and it helps to prevent diseases by moving towards a balanced state of mind and healthy habits and routines but Yoga is not a therapy nor a replacement of Medicine.

Misconceptions about Yoga: Yoga is a sport or requires gymnastic skills. Picture of a Yoga practitioner in a physically demanding pose as a representation of identifying Yoga with gymnastic abilities

I thought yoga is mostly poses and breathing techniques...

The most spread misconception about Yoga, especially in the West. Yoga is not acrobatics nor just physical exercise. Yoga comprehends philosophy, study of the human mind, and a broad set of tools and techniques to overcome the limitations of the human mind, improve clarity of perception, enhance energy and cultivate greater self- awareness.

In Yoga, asanas and pranayamas (poses and breath control) are just a part of the full picture. As an example, from the 195 sutras (verses) compiled by Patanjali, only 3 are on asanas and 5 on pranayamas.

Misconceptions about Yoga: Yoga is meditation. Picture of a Yoga practitioner in a meditative pose

Then, is Yoga meditation?

Another of the misconceptions about Yoga. Meditation is one important yogic technique but we shouldn't mistake one part with the whole.

Misconceptions about Yoga: Yoga is about getting supernatural abilities. Picture of Wim Hof, “the Iceman”, illustrating the power of the human mind and the Yogic Techniques

But I have heard incredible stories about yogis... Is Yoga about attaining supernormal powers?

According to tradition yogis could do things that most of the common people would consider imposible. Human mind power is still unknown and nowadays we can see incredible examples like Wim Hof, the “Iceman”; but beyond what is possible and what is not, the goal of Yoga is not performing incredible tricks or having special skills.

Patanjali speaks about them in the third chapter of the Yoga Sutras in order to warn practitioners that those powers can become distractions in the path of personal growth.