Yoga philosophy for personal development

What is yoga? 

Yoga is an age-old practice that captivates the attention of many people around the world. Beyond stretching and postures, this practice is also a yoga philosophy with a well-being approach. Explore its definition, the notions that define it and the texts on which it is based.  

Definition

Originally, the term “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit “yuj” which refers tounion. In this way, yoga is a set of practices and philosophies which aim to connect different facets of an individual to achieve the higher state of consciousness. 

Moreover, it was in ancient India that yoga was born thousands of years ago. It is thanks to the Vedic teachings and philosophical traditions of Hinduism that the discipline was able to see the light of day. Yoga aims to be a spiritual quest guiding practitioners towards self-realization.  

The purpose of yoga

Although the postures are the heart of the discipline, it is not the end goal. Indeed, the practice of yoga aims to align all facets of the human being to achieve a state of fullness. But the purpose of yoga is expressed through the “samadhi" and the "moksha”. Samadhi represents the state of total well-being where the yogi experiences a deep connection with the universe and transcends the limits of body and mind. As for moksha, it means liberation from the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation leaving the soul realizes its full nature.  

Realization

This is possible thanks to thedeep exploration of consciousness. Particularly through the meditation, there concentration and thecareful observation of thoughts, sensations and emotions in order to delve into the depths of the mind. 

Ultimately, yoga aims to freedom from suffering and the realization of true nature. It is by transcending the mind and accessing theunity with the universe that harmony and balance join life. 

The philosophical notions of yoga

At the heart of this activity are deep philosophical notions that aid in the deep understanding of oneself as well as the world and life. Furthermore, if the notions of yoga interest you, you can turn to the article dealing with madras yoga. 

Union between body and mind

Yoga teaches that the body and mind are not separate identities, but parts interconnected. Moreover, it is this union that allows us to achieve well-being. Furthermore, the health of the body directly influences the mental state, while mental clarity impacts the way the body functions. 

The key elements

But how does the union of body and mind take place? Mainly by the asanas. Indeed, each posture is designed to target certain parts of the body by inviting the mind to focus on the felt and the breathing while registering in present time. 

Also, the connection between body and mind is made through the breathing control by applying the conscious breathing which calms the nervous system and soothes the mind. 

Finally, the meditation is a powerful tool to deepen the union of body and mind. While meditating, attention is turned inward, which makes you forget about external distractions. This allows the mind to focus on this connection in a state of pure presence. 

Union between the individual soul and the universal soul

Yoga suggests that everyone has a individual soul, also called “atman” in Sanskrit. However, yoga teaches that the latter is intrinsically linked to a larger reality, which is none other than the universal soul or “brahman” in Sanskrit.  

Also, yoga explains that the gap you feel between yourself and the rest of the world is just an illusion. It is because the individual and universal soul are intimately linked that this crack is a artificial distinction. 

In addition, meditation, postures and conscious breathing help calm the mind. In this way the mind becomes more and more receptive to the reality what yoga suggests. 

Finally, this unity is an experience that practitioners seek to live. Particularly during moments of deep meditation or mental clarity to feel feelings of dissolution of individual boundaries to be connected to the universe.  

The notion of unity

Unity in yoga philosophy is the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected. That is to say, every living being, every element and every aspect of existence is part of a network of interdependence. 

Possible units

Also, the unit integrates the physical, spiritual and mental dimensions of each individual. It is through postures, breathing techniques and meditation that union can be explored. Besides, the practice itself is a manifestation of unity. Indeed, by working to bring body and mind together, a space of inner unity is created. 

Yoga also exploits unity with nature. This means recognizing that humans are connected to every element of nature and developing a deep respect and connection with the land, animals and natural resources. 

Finally, yoga is based on the principle that yoga naturally nourishes the compassion towards others. This is because discipline instills that the Other is an extension of yourself. From then on, it becomes difficult to intentionally cause suffering. 

The concept of maya

In yoga philosophy, Maya is described as the veil of illusion Who mask there true nature of reality. From this point of view, the material world is actually a temporary illusion. So maya is a distortion of reality which makes you perceive things as separate and permanent, whereas they are interconnected, changing et ephemera. 

Additionally, maya is compared to a veil of ignorance which blurs the vision of reality. It keeps us attached to desires and to attachments of material world. Thus, yoga offers the liberation of maya by becoming aware of it and transforming your perception. 

Free yourself from maya

The notion of maya extends to the concept of self. Indeed, yoga teaches that identification with the body, has the mind and to social roles are also a illusion. For example, the ego shapes itself around these ideas, which reinforces the belief of a separation between the universe and the individual. 

Finally, the ultimate goal of yoga is to pierce this veil and discover the fundamental truth of existence. But to do this, you have to go through a introspection deep, a meditation and an questioning beliefs. It is by grasping maya that practitioners have the will to live beyond illusion and fulfill their true nature. 

The notion of inner transformation

Inner transformation in yoga philosophy suggests a deep spiritual journey. He suggests that everyone has within themselves a innate potential for evolution. It is the process that leads to the self-realization and to union with the divine. 

This transformation begins with self-exploration via yoga's encouragement to turn inward, to know oneself beyond social roles, one's fears and one's desires. Thanks to the meditation and to self-observation you can explore the depths of your being by identifying your negative patterns and emotional blockages that hinder your evolution. 

Finally, theego with one's attachments and desires is considered an obstacle to achieving inner transformation. So, yoga offers a liberation of the ego to achieve a state of inner calm. Be careful, yoga does not suggest its elimination but a transformation of the latter to make it in the service of higher consciousness. 

The founding texts of yoga

Yoga philosophy is rooted in the spiritual traditions of India, so it draws its teachings from a collection of ancient texts. These writings lay the foundations of yoga and its philosophy. It is time to discover these founding texts. Furthermore, the sutras are also the basis of nidra yoga or even hatha yoga. 

The Veda

The Vedas mean “knowledge”, they are the oldest texts of Indian literature. They are composed of four main parts : THE hymns, THE sacred songs, THE rituals and the magic songs and incantations. 

Although the Vedas mainly focus on hymns and rituals, the Vedas also contain iphilosophical dice. For example, the Upanishads are later texts that relate to the Vedas and expand on these concepts. Notably the notions of self-realization, unity, and the illusory nature of reality which find roots in the Vedas. 

An inner quest

However, the Vedas teach that everything in the universe is connected and emanates from a single source. It is the perspective that the unity of all existence is in harmony with the philosophy of yoga which aims to the deep unity between the individual and the cosmos. 

Then the Vedas aspire to quest for inner truth. They encourage exploring the mysteries of consciousness, soul and reality through meditation and self-observation. 

Finally, the Vedas value the direct and personal revelation of spiritual truth. It reflects personal experience and self-realization which are fundamental values. The goal is to encourage the individual to explore their inner self and connect to the spiritual source.   

The Upanishads 

The Upanishads are emblematic texts of yoga philosophy written in esoteric texts in prose and verse. They evoke the idea of a discipline sitting at the feet of a master in order to receive deep spiritual knowledge. The latter highlight the illusory nature of reality, the unity of all existence and the quest for self-realization which you can find in nada yoga, for example. 

The Bhagavad-gita

The Bhagavad-gita is an important text consisting of 700 verses which records a conversation between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna which addresses universal themes such as duty, devotion, self-realization and spiritual quest. 

The Bhagaved Gita explores different branches of yoga to achieve union with the divine via three paths: 

• Karma yoga : It is the action of being selfless. Indeed, in the text Krishna encourages Arjuna to act according to his duty without being attached to the fruits of his actions. Therefore, emphasizing the need to lead a balanced life while remaining detached from results.  
• Bhakti yoga : It is the yoga of devotion. This path highlights the importance of faith, love, and trust in a higher power. 
• Jnana yoga : This one is about knowledge. It encourages deep understanding of the nature of the soul, reality and illusion to lead towards inner truth and self-realization. 

The yoga sutra of Patanjali

The yoga sutras is a work of 196 aphorisms and are the most influential in the field of yoga. They are attributed to the ancient sage Patanjali. The sutras offer a complete guide for the practice and philosophy of yoga. Indeed, they address the different aspects of the discipline, from controlling the mind to achieving enlightenment. They are organized into four chapters, each exploring a specific dimension of yoga. 

Furthermore, the yoga sutras describe the eight limbs of yoga in order to achieve self-realization. We include in particular the yamas which are the moral rules, niyama which represent personal observances, asanas which are the postures, the pranayamas which mean the control of breathing, pratyahara which are the withdrawal of the senses, the dharana which concerns concentration, dhyana for meditation, finally samadhi which refers directly to transcendental union.

A mental quest

Next, the yoga sutra emphasizes the need to control the mind to reach the spiritual liberation. Indeed, Patanjali explores the mental fluctuations and offers methods for calming mental agitation through meditation and to the concentration.  

Finally, samadhi is the ultimate stage, the state of transcendent consciousness and total union with reality. For more information, you can turn to the article yoga sutras.  

What to remember about yoga philosophy

The philosophy of yoga is self-realization by transcending the limits of body and mind. But, for this you have to go through some Notions which are as follows: 

• Union of body and mind

•  Union between the individual soul and the universal soul

• The notion of unity 

• The concept of maya
• The notion of inner transformation

Finally, these principles are also governed by the founding texts of yoga, we can cite: 

• The Veda

• The Upanishads 

• The Bhagavad-gita

• The yoga sutra of Patanjali

Immerse yourself in the philosophy at POSES

Have you fallen under the spell of the philosophy of yoga? Come apply what you have learned at POSES ! Take out your best mat as well as your best sports outfit for a session of dynamic yoga. 

What should you expect? To put into practice the postures, transitions and movements the most symptomatic of yoga during 50 minute sessions. In addition, to give you balm in your heart, exclusive playlists will be played in the studio under a dim light to motivate you in your movements. Did you blink and miss a move? Rest assured, our coaches are here to show you this. 

So, are you ready to get in touch with philosophy?