Yoga The Tradition

By Georg Feuerstien

The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. This implies joining or integrating all aspects of the individual - body with mind and mind with soul - to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life, and spiritually, uniting the individual with the supreme.

In India, Yoga is considered one of the six branches of classical philosophy and is referred to throughout the ancient Indian scriptures and amongst the oldest texts in existence. The Upanishads are also broadly philosophical treatises which postdate the Vedas and deal with the nature of the "soul" and universe.

However, the origins of yoga are believed to be much older than that, stemming from the oral traditions of Yogis, where knowledge of Yoga was handed down from Guru (spiritual teacher) to Sisya (spiritual student) all the way back to the originators of Yoga, "the Rishis," who first began investigation into the nature of reality and man's inner world.
 
Legend has it that knowledge of Yoga was first passed by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and from there into the lives of men.

According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the ultimate aim of Yoga is to reach "Kaivalya”. (emancipation or ultimate freedom). This is the experience of one's innermost being. Then one becomes free of chains of cause and effect (Karma) which tie us to continual reincarnation.
 
Yoga is therefore a spiritual quest. However, along the path of yoga, the aspirant also gains health, happiness, tranquility and knowledge which are indicators of progress and an encouragement to continue their practice. Buddhism and other Eastern spiritual traditions use many techniques derived from Yoga.
 
There are said to be 4 main paths (Margas), according to the Bhagavad Gita, by which to reach the ultimate goal of Yoga - "Kaivalya." There is the path of Knowledge (Jnana Marga) in which one learns to discriminate between what is real and what is illusory, the path of selfless work (Karma Marga), the path of devotion (Bhakti Marga) and the path of control of the mind (Yoga Marga) where all the activities of the mind and consciousness are studied and brought under control. From these have come the various paths of yoga which can be followed.

• Raja yoga involves mastery of the mind and senses in Samadhi; essentially the advanced aspects of Patanjali's Ashtanga yoga.

• Hatha yoga is the yoga of the will which involves cultivating ones energy to arouse Kundalini primarily by means of asana and pranayama.

• Mantra yoga involves reciting sacred syllables to reach perfection.

• Laya yoga involves absorption in god to experience ultimate bliss.

• Bhakti yoga requires absolute devotion to god to achieve the ultimate goal.

• Karma yoga achieves this through selfless work without thought of personal reward.

• Jnana yoga is the yoga of knowledge cultivating the discrimination between spiritual reality and the illusion of the material world.

It must be realized that there are no clear cut boundaries between these various paths and all focus on the practices and philosophy of the others; effectively all paths have the same goal. They are different views of the same topic.

Various schools or styles of Yoga have grown around each of these paths, which emphasize different aspects of these paths, or a combination of them, in their practical methodology. Usually these schools are established by renowned teachers and reflect their methodologies and ways of practicing, teaching and following the path of yoga. Some of the most well known modern schools or styles of yoga include: Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vini, Ananda, Anusara, Bikram, Integral, Kali Ray Tri, Kripalu, Kundalini and Sivananda. Three of the most popular schools today - Iyengar, Ashtanga and Vini Yoga - were all developed by students of Sri T. Krishnamacharya.

Particular styles or methods may be considered more effective than others or may suit an individual's temperament better. These are different methods of reaching for the same ultimate goal. They are all aspects of the overall philosophy of Yoga.

The philosophy of Yoga comes from many sources and has been presented in many fashions with differing emphasis depending on the understanding of the author. The Vedas and Upanishads give some of the earliest references to the paths of yoga. These scriptures form the basis of Indian religious practices but contain many varied references to yoga and other things. Famous epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabarata contain stories of the gods and lectures on moral and philosophical subjects with references to yogis and yogic practices. The Bhaghavad Gita is a particularly famous part of the Mahabarata which contains a detailed discourse on yoga by Krisna to Arjuna. Other texts such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are more technical manuals of yoga which go into detail on technique as opposed to just the theory.

In general all these texts discuss Yoga from the particular standpoint of the authors and the paths to Yoga they have followed. In many ways this subject can be confusing for lack of a clear overview. This need is answered in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

The varied philosophies and methodologies of Yoga itself were clearly and methodically brought together and presented by the sage Patanjali in his set of 196 aphorisms called "The Yoga Sutras," written some 2200 years ago. The Sutras bring together all the various strands of theory and practice from all sources of yoga and present them in one concise, integrated and comprehensive text. How all the aspects interrelate and form part of the whole body of yoga is clearly articulated. There are 8 disciplines to yoga as presented by Patanjali (thus Ashtanga yoga - 8 limbed yoga) which must be practiced and refined in order to perceive the true self- the ultimate goal of Yoga:

1. Yama - Universal ethics:Ahimsa-Non-violence, Satya-truthfulness, Asteya-non-stealing, Bramacharya-continence, Apargraha-non-coveting.

2. Niyama - Principles of self conduct: Saucha-purity, Santosa-contentment, Tapas-strength in convictions, Svadhyaya- study of self, Isvara pranidhana-devotion.

3. Asana - practice of the postures.

4. Pranayama - Breath control.

5. Pratyahara - withdrawal and control of the senses.

6. Dharana - concentration.

7. Dhyana - meditation.

8. Samadhi - a state of higher consciousness where the sense of self (ego) dissolves in the object of meditation and the individual self exists in its own pure nature.

The key elements of all the paths of yoga are presented in a balanced perspective and legend has it that Patanjali was himself a realized being and so writing from experience.

These Sutras were and are still considered a most profound and enlightening study of the human psyche. Patanjali shows how through the practice of Yoga, we can transform ourselves, gain mastery over the mind and emotions, overcome obstacles to our spiritual evolution and attain the goal of yoga: liberation from the bondage of worldly desires. Written in Sanskrit, many commentaries and translations have been written over the centuries by various scholars and practitioners; each interpreting as per their era and understanding.

BKS Iyengar is one amongst several contemporary authors, having completed Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in the light of his own hard practice and experience, but using modern day language and concepts.

Iyengar yoga, developed by yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar more than 60 years ago, promotes strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment. Like other types of yoga, it also encourages self-awareness through meditation. The difference is that Iyengar yoga focuses on physical methods to cultivate spirituality. For example, the poses, breathing, and meditation aren't separate stages to achieve; they're inseparable parts of the whole. The reasoning behind Iyengar yoga is that it's impossible to do a pose correctly without strict concentration. Such deep concentration means you're automatically in a meditative state, and rhythmic breathing follows from the effort of maintaining the pose. Equipment like cushions, blankets, straps, and wooden blocks to help the less flexible also distinguishes Iyengar from other types of yoga. Although Iyengar incorporates the traditional postures, or asanas, that make up the broader category of hatha yoga, the cushions and other props revolutionized yoga by enabling everyone, even the elderly, sick, and disabled, to practice.

Different yoga styles all derive from the same source, hatha yoga, but each technique has a different emphasis. Some stress breathing, chanting, meditating, or moving fluidly from one position to another. Iyengar yoga emphasizes precise bodily alignment and the poses are generally held longer than in other styles of yoga. In Iyengar, you slowly move into a pose, hold it for a minute or so, and then rest for a few breaths before stretching into another.

Because of its slow pace, attention to detail, and use of props, Iyengar yoga can be especially good if you're recovering from an injury. Just be sure to tell your instructor in advance about any injuries you have -- especially back, shoulder, or knee problems -- so that he/she can adjust the poses for you as necessary.
Iyengar yoga is seen as the textbook to yoga. It is fundamental, focus on alignment, slower in pace, one-by-one, and utilize props to make proper adjustment. Ashtanga yoga is often referred to as power yoga or flow yoga. It is faster in pace, constructed in a specific series of movements, connected poses, and combined with strong, deep ujayu breathing. Iyengar yoga focuses on spirituality through physical technique. Ashtanga Yoga focuses on fitness, and is considered excellent for toning the body. The difference between Ashtanga Yoga, and Iyengar Yoga is that the former lays more emphasis on strength, toning up and physical fitness. A more energetic form of yoga, Ashtanga is quite different from Iyengar yoga.

Other types of Yoga such as Hatha, Ashtanga and Kriya Yoga are just different forms of practicing yoga, but the basic core remains the same in all of these three forms. Hatha yoga was a form of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century in India. Yoga comprises of many disciplines intended to enhance the physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of an individual. Since its evolution, yoga has branched into many disciplines, each having its own school of thought and different consequences for the human body and mind.

Yoga is a path that works for all human kind. I trust new styles of Yoga will continue to be developed as the need arises. Iyengar is the most holistic form I have encountered and therefore my choice to study and practice. Mr. Feuerstein quotes Mr. Iyengar in Chapter 2 “In Yoga…many may take one path as a key in order to experience self realization while others take another path, but I say that there is absolutely no difference between the various practices of yoga.” There is a world of Yogic philosophy which I will continue to explore. “The Yoga Tradition” by Georg Feuerstein covers a vast amount of information and has become a valuable resource in my library.

Jann G. Seff
December 2009