Know yoga 101 : Bursting 5 top myths

We all know about that phase of life when we are misjudged. When our potentials are not properly gauged, and hence our caliber goes in the darks of mystics. Such was the time for YOGA, five years before now. On June 21, 2019, the world celebrated the 5th International Yoga Day, an art which has found its existence since the dawn of civilisation. The oldest Indian Scriptures, Rig Veda mentions Yoga, Bhagwat Gita talks about Yog at lengths, and the oldest known cultured civilisation, the Indus valley civilisation has showed the presence of Yog during 3000 BC in the motifs and seals which has been excavated by historians.

Like most of the primeval practices, Yog has also been highly mistreated in the present and is clouded with numerous misconceptions. Etymologically, Yog, is derived from the "yuj" dhatu of sanskrit which means to unite, yoke or conjoin. Yog is the philosophy of sages from the bygone times, which focuses on the art of unification of the individual self with the supreme self (or God). It is one amongst the various other Astik philosophies (Darshan) of Indian origin like Mimasa, Sankya, Vedanta to mention a few. The objective of Yoga, “Unification of mind, body and Soul", can be achieved by following any amongst the various schools of Yoga, like Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yog, HathYoga, Patanjal Yog etc. to achieve this synchronisation, however Patanjal Yoga is the most prominent of all.

This art of living, "Yoga" is again in its nascent stages reviving from its dark age, nevertheless hovered with innumerable misconceptions. Here are the top 5.

1. Yoga means Asanas & Pranayama

Maharishi Patanjali, who is also considered as the father of the art, left the first textual work on Yoga Darshan in around 400 CE, in a book called "Patanjal Yogsutra". Surprising as it may seem, in this short book of 196 sutras, there is not even one asana which has been described by him. Then what does those 196 sutras talk about if not the asanas, which has taken the most cognisance with Yoga ? 

The 196 sutras, written in sanskrit talk about the aim, objective, meaning and path to be followed if one wishes to be a Yogi, which does not mean to perform just exercises or asanas. Performing asanas is just one of the eight limbs of Yoga, the other being :

• Yam
• Niyam 
• Asana
• Pranayam
• Pratayahar
• Dharna
• Dhyan
• Samadhi

These eight limbs of Yoga teaches one how to live a life of Yogi. Yam comprises of five divisions [ Ahimsa (Non violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (Non Stealing), Brahamacharya (chastity), Apigraha (non possessiveness /minimalism ) ]. Niyam also comprises of five divisions [Sauch (Cleanliness of mind and body), Santosh (contentment ), Taap (perseverance), Swadhyay (introspection ), Ishwar Pranidhan (contemplation of the supreme) ] which focuses on building up a good character of a human being. Asana and Pranayam are just two ingredient of this eight fold path, which helps in keeping one away from diseases. Dharna, Dhyan and Samadhi are parts of meditation which emphasis on self realisation and transformation.

2. Only healthy can practice Yoga 

Yoga asanas are peculiar as it does not teach one to lose energy. Yog, in literature is termed as a practice to gain energy and Asana is described as :

“sthira sukham asanam”, 

meaning that every asana should be 'STEADY' and 'COMFORTABLE'. Yoga does not seek high flexibility or perfect body, however a toned body is the result of constant Yoga practice. Another very important objective of Yoga is emancipation from diseases. There are several poses which help in the cure of diseases. Like Vakrasana and Madukasana has been considered as a blessing for Diabetic patients since it exercises the pancreas and helps in better secretion of insulin. 

3. Yoga is part of any Religion 

Yoga is sometimes considered to be a religion to be followed by Hindus. However it is not so. Yoga's origin has been attributed to attainment of happiness, termination of sorrow and misery and curiosity to know self and the realities of life. People can follow and practice Yoga, simultaneously following any religion.   

4. Yoga is to be practised only by Sanyasis  

Nowhere in Yogic texts, Yoga has been mentioned as a tool for Sanysis, on the contrary, yogic texts throws light on social behaviour and positive attitudes. Yogic concepts of bhavana which includes Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya and Aishwarya and yogic positive attitudes of Maitri, Karuna, Mudita and Upeksha imparts the knowledge of how one should behave in society with people of varied characters.

5. Yoga means renunciation (tyaga) of the world (relations, duties and obligations)

Yoga teaches renunciation from worldly attachments in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment or liberation and not renunciation from the world per say. Yoga is the full dedication of one in his/her work. Its the practice to achieve that state of mind wherein the doer is solely associated with his/her work and renunciates everything else. It is the art to control the mind, body and heart in such a way that they work as the soul commands it to. A yogi not only performs all his/her duties, obligations but also enjoys doing so.

Yoga is a way of life which teaches one to enjoy the life to the most and fullest. It brings peace, health and harmony to one and is a mechanism to connect with oneself at a better level. It is nothing to be done for an hour in a day but its how a person lives his/er entire lifetime.