“Yoga is the science of the sciences. Yoga is an art, a philosophy, a religion, a fad and a fanaticism” (Swami Gitananda) The Meaning or definition of yoga depends on the individual person, according to their level of consciousness and evolution. Yoga can be simply described as the process to control the perception and the conceptions, which develop the conscious, rational thinking and viveka (discernment). Yoga is one of most precious jewels of the Ancient Hindu ways of attaining liberation. Even then yoga is not concerned with religion. Yoga can help us to live with greater harmony. Today you can find people practicing yoga everywhere. Especially Hatha-Yoga (asanas and Pranayama) has become the synonym of yoga. So to enhance the meaning of your life, religion, faith and practices, yoga is the tool, which is free from religion, caste or creed, available for one and all. The term ‘Yoga’, which is multivalent and derived from the root ‘yuj’, generally means ‘union’, ‘to join’, ‘to yoke together’, or ‘to unite as one’. The word yoga comes from the most ancient language known to man Sanskrita. In India, Sanskrit is considered to be the language of God, and is formed in a mathematical way. Yoga in India is also considered as one of the six Ancient Indian Philosophies. Primarily we should keep in mind that yoga is the ‘way of union’. The Bhagawad Gita uses it (i.i.48) to mean sole desire for supreme divinity (paramesvarikaparata- sridharasvamin). In i.i. 50 of the same treatise, yoga denotes skill in work (karmasu kausalam). In IV. 1,2,3, Yoga means Karma yoga (desire less action) and Jnana yoga (acquisition of time knowledge). In VI. 16, 17, the term yoga means Samadhi in which the mind is united with the Atman. In VI. 23, yoga means a state of mind, which having realized the Supreme Being, is not disturbed even by great suffering. In i.i. 48 and vi. 33, 36, yoga means samatva or equanimity, i.e., indifference to pleasure and pain. Yoga can be accepted as a way of life, a way of integrating your whole awareness with the true nature of the Self. Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life should work in integrated harmony with each other. What is union? In normal sense of yoga this union means harmony of body, mind, emotions and spirit. It is living in the present, moving and accepting all situations as they are with a positive attitude. (continues)

Hatha Yoga includes following key practices- Moral and Ethical Values Shata Karmas- six cleansing practices Jattis – unstructured warm up practices Kriyas- simple movement of body and limbs with breath and mind Vinyasa or Hatha Yoga Kriyas- Complex set of Asanas flowing from one to other positions, based on one of the key concepts of Hatha Yoga Surya (Suriya) Namaskar - Set of Asanas and movements to offer greetings to Sun Asana- Holding body positions with ease to attain balance or transcendence Pranayama- to purify and enhance vital forces, awaken Kundalini Mudra- Seal or gestures to channel vital forces in desired points. Bandhas- Locks to awake the potential energies. Moral and Ethical Values- Lots of behavioural problems can be rooted in having a weak body or/and weak mind. If we want to have a healthy and ethical society, the one key element will be a healthy and strong physique and stable mind. Swamiji Dr Gitananda Giriji mentions that yoga and evolution is a path for strong and brave people. This also means that only strong people can follow the holistic life style. Moral and ethical values are one of the key factors for improving our life and establish peace around us. Hatha Yoga leads into Raja Yoga which provides all the tools at this level. (continues)