Hey Guys !! Cheers !! So you are thinking of doing Yoga ? Yeah..May be. That’s why you’ve landed up
here. But to stay inspired and stick to the practice for a lifetime is something which many are not
able to achieve. To be a regular practitioner, first you need to know what is Yoga. Only then you will
know Why to do Yoga.
The word Yoga/Yog is derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuj” which means “Union”.
Maharishi Patanjali describes Yoga in his sutras as – “Yogas chitta vritti nirodha”. “Chitta” means
mind, “vritti” means fluctuations and “nirodha” means to cut down or to stop. Hence, according to
Maharishi Patanjali, Yoga is that which stops the fluctuations of the mind and hence stills the mind.
Hence, although Yoga seems to have different asanas or postures, it just does not provide physical
exercise, it also creates stillness in the mind and rejuvenates concentration when you hold an
asana/posture for a while. When you do Yoga, your body, mind, soul and your breath become
unified. You become peaceful within. Only when a person becomes peaceful within, he is kind and
humble to others. When your behaviour hence changes towards others you don’t see a difference
between yourself and others. In this state you are in true Union. From here arises the concept of
moksha – becoming free rom the cycle of birth and death and become one with God/Supersoul that
pervades everywhere.
Maharishi defined Yoga as an eightfold path – Ashtanga Yoga…..
Apart from all this other popularly known benefits of Yoga are –
 Improves flexibility of your body
 Maintain a good shape
 Lose weight
 Improves general health condition and keeps away from disease
 Therapeutic properties/Healing from diseases and ailments
 Improves body postures