 For
the uninitiated, the image of yoga commonly consists of contorting
yourself into a human pretzel and sitting on the pointy bit
of some distant mountain. Initially developed/discovered in
the India-Nepal region thousands of years ago, yoga has evolved
to include postures that really do fit that sort of description.
Through much persistence, patience and careful study, many people
today have achieved and even surpassed those images in strength
and flexibility. Even so, this should be considered an extremity
of yoga. Just as all martial arts (Kung Fu, Karate, Ju Jitsu
etc.) have evolved from yoga, anything can be taken to the point
of distraction when on the road to enlightenment. These complex
and someTimes dangerous yoga poses should only be considered
after years of experience and never seen as an end-goal.
The oldest formal documentation of yoga comes from around 200
B.C. (Patanjali's Yoga Sutra) but there are many references
that point way back to the Vedic Times (2000-3000 B.C.) where,
it is said, the yoga path was initiated. In any case, yoga has
been around in one form or another for a very long Time. Long
enough to have been the precursor to every form of martial arts
and every type of exercise system. Translating from the ancient
Sanskrit, the word yoga is derived from the verbal root, yuj,
meaning to yoke, harness. From the language, yoga is the process
of uniting ourselves in order to express the energy of our true
nature. In other words, yoga is the methodical steps of aligning
and converging our body, mind and spirit for the purpose of
enlightenment.
 Philosophical
thinking in India has long been concerned with the root crisis
of the human spirit - the separation from the central consciousness
and the only reality (Atman or Brahman). It is because of this
separation, which begins with the ignorance of our birth, that
we suffer the traumas of physical, emotional and psychological
conflicts. As an unfortunate consequence of this disconnection
and the loss of that awareness, we erroneously look externally
for our happiness. The material and sensory pleasures of life,
the approval and value judgments of others, the more is better
philosophy, anything to allow us to forget that the cause of
all our suffering lies within. Yoga calls our attention back
to this and aims to reunite us with the innermost centre of
our being.
The Yamas tell us what we should not do in terms of the external
world. The Niyamas tell us what we should do in terms of our
inner world. The Asanas align and integrate our body and mind
while releasing vital energies and preparing us for the physical
and mental challenges of the remaining limbs. Pranayama brings
particular emphasis onto the breath to lift our awareness of
the universal life-force that sustains and energizes us.The
last four limbs are the methodical steps towards enlightened
meditation. Pratyahara relieves us from the constant bombardment
of stimuli by blocking our senses and turning our minds inward.
Dharana holds the mind on a single point to the exclusion of
all other existence. Dhyana is the connection and communication
between the subject and object where you, the subject, are no
longer separated from the object of your meditation. Finally,
if such a word is relevant anymore, we arrive at Samadhi, an
indistinguishable part of the universal consciousness.
The most popular elements of yoga in the western world fall
under the Hatha (physical) yoga. This generally includes the
Asana and, to a lesser extent, Pranayama. This can be an excellent
place to start as long as it is understood that the eight limbs
are not a sequential path, but one where all limbs are unavoidably
concurrent. Many of the physical poses (Asanas) require such
concentration to hold a balance (or maintain the strength and
flexibility, or apply complex anatomical adjustments, etc) that
you can't help but be in a Dharana state. Similarly, it is essential
for the body to be able to sit still for long periods to achieve
meaningful meditation. Here the Asanas are essential; through
the countless variations of hundreds of postures, we begin opening
our hips, strengthen our lower and upper back, flexing our legs
for sitting and simultaneously learning to relax the mind to
be open to the possibility of meditation.
Yoga is now being utilized in modern society in many ways.
However, these applications tend to be superficial. To obtain
a more comprehensive view of yoga and its potential utility
within society, we need to go much deeper. Bihar Yoga Bharati
was established to help provide this insight. Here scholars,
scientists, artists, medical practitioners, administrators and
yogic aspirants of a high caliber can study, research and develop
a complete perspective on yoga and its potential uses within
society. This is our contribution to creating a better future
and a better world for coming generations.
Rishikesh
The Garhwal region of north India is speckled with some of
the holiest of Hindu pilgrimage sites and Rishikesh is one such
major attractions. Crowded with sadhus with long matted hair
and pilgrims from all over the globe, Rishikesh is the birthplace
of yoga. It attracts thousands of tourists every year, who come
to seek mental peace in the midst of the humdrum of modern life.
The various ghats and temples assist the human spirit in its
endeavor to be one with the ultimate source of all creations.
It is also an attraction for the ones in search of adventure
and passion.
Meditation & Yoga Centers
Rishikesh is called the yoga capital of the world and there
are many ashrams in Rishikesh offering courses on meditation,
yoga and Hindu philosophy. The hatha yoga and pranayama meditation
classes at Sri Ved Niketan Ashram are well known. The Shivananda
Ashram is located opposite the Shivananda Jhula and is flocked
by tourists. It is also possible to stay in the ashram by intimating
the authorities a month earlier. Other ashrams include the Yoga
Niketan Ashram, Omkarananda Ashram, Vanmali Gita Yogashram,
Dayananda Vedanta Ashram, Brahma Niwas and the Yoga Study Center.
The International Yoga Festival is organized every year from
February 2 to 7 by UP Tourism.
How to plan your tours:
Explore India, we offer tours packages and holidays guide to
all tourist destinations of India. For more tour options mail
us at info@easytravelindia.com
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North India 
