What is Yoga?
Rooted in the Indian subcontinent over 5,000 years ago, Yoga is a profound discipline of philosophy and science. It delves into the workings of the mind, the path to inner balance, and the timeless truth that each life mirrors the state of our consciousness.
Patañjali Yoga Sutras 1.2 say:
yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ (योगश् चित्त वृत्ति निरोधः)
Yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind.
Word meanings:
Yogaś (योगः) – union, discipline, the path to integration
Citta (चित्त) – consciousness, mind, the mental field
Vṛtti (वृत्ति) – mental modifications, thought-waves
Nirodhaḥ (निरोधः) – restraint, stilling, cessation, control
“It’s a big question for me, how Yoga - “the science of living”, came to have so many names and styles nowadays, becoming a mainstream physical activity where holding a posture is seen as the highest achievement. Yes, the body is where we live—but life is everywhere. Exploring life and truly knowing oneself goes far beyond simply living in the body.”