By Nora Reda
Yoga has been around for thousands of years. According to some sources it may be dated back to 10,000 years. One of the first written texts known as the Rig Veda, mentions the word yoga approximately 5,000 years ago. Originated in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization and passed down generation to generation yoga gradually evolved into a wholistic system of practices that allowed the individual to find what he was seeking.
The Vedas, a collection of ancient verses, chants and rituals used by Vedic priests (Brahmans) implicates the early applications of yoga being mostly spiritual. As its early practitioners, the Brahmans and the Rishis (mystic seers) documented their own experiences and beliefs in the Upanishads, an extensive collection of scriptures, the internalization of earlier teachings on Svadhyaya (self-study), the sacrifice of the ego, right action (karma yoga) and earned wisdom (jnana yoga) crystalized.
Classical yoga began with Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the first systematic presentaton of yoga, written around the second century. The text describes the path of Raja Yoga, the eight limbed system of practices that ultimately lead to the state of Samadhi (enlightment). The Yoga Sutras serves as a base to most modern yoga styles known today.
Only a few centuries later the system of Tantra Yoga was developed to radically cleanse the body and mind and to rid oneself from the binds of physical existence.
The word yoga means to yoke, to join, to integrade, essentially uniting body and mind. It is thus a process and not a thing to aquire, a state of being rather than a series of actions. As a matter of fact, it has been described so many ways by realized yogis. Yoga is a personal endevour and a unique experience. It is said that in the words of Lord Krishna, “yoga is dexterity in action”.
Yoga therapy is something that happened along the way. It is the generic result that emerged throughout the history of yoga. In fact, more that eighty percent of therapeutic yoga is basic practice. In the words of Dr. N. Chandrasekaran, M.B.B.S. (Principles and Practice of Yoga Therapy – A Complete Guide for Learning and Practicing Yoga Therapy), “Yoga therapy is the superstrucure constructed on the foundation of yoga.” A yoga therapist must be skilled in all aspects of yoga and have a deep theoretical knowledge to be able to carry out the work he or she has the calling for.
The goal of yoga can be defined by “lifting the veils”, simplifying our complex being until there is nothing but the purity of the soul (divine) that in ayurveda is represented by the fifth, innermost kosha (layer) in every human being. The koshas are likened to lamp shades that are covering the true nature of the self. On the other hand, according to the Vedanta (end of the Vedas – the most prominent of the six hindu philosophies), every individual is a fraction of the whole and every fraction contains the whole. “The TOTAL and the fraction are essentially the same. … This union is between the individual self and the total, between Jivatma and Paramatma” (Chandrasekaran, 2012).
Yoga’s aim is to attain perfection by bringing the mind and body in alignment with each other and also bringing the two into harmony with the environent and into Sattva, a mental state of ideal disposition. What sets yoga apart from most other techniques is the improved ability to respond to triggers effectvely, so that it does not harm the individual. By improving nervous-system resilience and strengthening the energy body we can minimize the negative effects of stress and improve over-all health. Yoga therapy is more specific than this. It serves as a natural restoration method that allows the individual to access his or her potential for recuperation.
In closing, all of the above begs for perspective for those who do not suffer from any specific ailment but have an increased demand on their physical body as they strive daily to excel in their chosen sport. Specialized yoga supports any body that must endure specific training targeting certain muslcle groups more heavily than others. One of the negative result of a sport specific training is usually imbalance. This can lead to compensation and long-term side effects, sometimes as serious as leading to the necessity of terminating envolvement in that sport. To take this further, psychological and emotional balance is imperative for those who want to achive top performance in any sport. Targeted yoga practices prepare the mind for higher levels of tolerance and resilience.
This really answered my problem, thank you!