Added: 03/02/2006 |
The Principal Yoga Intention is Mental and Physical HealthYoga intention is formulated in the meaning of the word "yoga". It is translated from Sanskrit as "union, joining, connection, unity, harmony". You can ask what unity, with whom or what to connect and to be in harmony. Philosophers and idealists see yoga intention in unity of a person with so-called Absolute Spirit, God, in connection of Self Individual and Self Universal, etc.
This very conception of yoga intention is closer to yoga moral principles. Materialists interpret this word as harmony of physical and mental state of any person, harmony of complete physical health and mental, intellectual and cultural beauty of any person.
French doctor and researcher J.J. Henrott says that first of all yoga is a complex of methods that develop a person of integrity.
So, today yoga intensity is interpreted as a harmony of three human bases that are physical, intellectual or emotional and mental. The yoga goals have come to above harmony development and maintenance. This main goal consists of several aspects: Raja yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, Tantra yoga, Laya yoga, Mantra yoga, Hatha yoga and others.
Yoga is one of the most ancient teachings. The legend says that the history of yoga and yogi is longer than 10 thousand years. The oldest literal monuments prove it. For example, it is Veda and Rigveda that were created earlier than 2.5 thousand years B.C. They consist of collected knowledge of that period including ceremonies, hymns, poetry, code of laws (Dharma), etc.
The ancient Indians believed that life of any person is divided into the following steps: childhood, teaching, marriage and active social life and reclusive period. At the end of the life a person meditated and analyzed his life and experience, shared his knowledge with followers.
The experience of such people called rishis, guru, sadhu was collected, analyzed and tested in different conditions by different people. It was the way yoga came into the world as a method of physical and mental self-perfection. Some years later it became a systematized teaching.
The fact that yoga exists today proved its rationality and practicability for modern people. In India yogi are divided into yogi-philosophers and yogi-experts. Yoga has its own philosophy of dualistic character as it is based on religious, idealistic and material concepts. Vision of yogi is interesting not only for philosophers and Indian researchers but also for common people.
Today yoga is popular all over the world. Clubs, associations, institutions and laboratories of yoga are located in all countries. They study the yoga experience and try to explain and scientifically prove the results and achievements of yogi with the help of modern methods of testing and analysis. They also offer practical training for people who wish to master yoga. These organizations often invite the specialists from India.
There is a Decree about yoga study in educational institutions, police and army that have been in force from 1965 in India. Pilots, divers, astronauts and sportsmen of different countries also use many applied methods of yoga.
There is International Universal Yoga Union with headquarters in Stockholm and European Yoga Association with headquarters in Budapest.
Such a great interest to yoga is caused by its great possibilities of health improvement and maintenance, of many diseases prevention. Yoga's recommendation about breathing, nutrition, work and rest, physical training and hygiene agree with the latest recommendations of modern physiology and medicine.
Yoga stimulates physiological harmony that is very important in our time of stresses, psychological loads and hypo-dynamia. Mental and physical health gives a person joy, happiness and provides efficiency and longevity. And it is the main yoga intention today for the majority of modern people.
All the weird names aside, yoga continues to inspire men and women who want to develop their inner and outer beauty.
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