Introduction

Yoga is an ancient science and practice, originating from India many thousands years ago. The word yoga stems from the ancient Sanskrit language, literally meaning to join or unite, though also to discipline. Thus yoga conveys "the spiritual discipline of integration". The union or integration is between head and heart, psyche and world, purusha and prakriti, individual and universal energy, mind and body, Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy).

Yoga is a way of practicing and cultivating mindfulness, in thought, emotions and behaviour – in your whole being. The eight-folded path of yoga sadhana or practice is:

• yamas - social awareness
• niyamas - individual awareness
• asanas - bodily postures synchronized with the breath
• pranayama - breath awareness
• pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses
• dharana - concentration of the attention
• dhyana - meditation/when focus of attention is maintained
• samadhi - union/self-realization

Yoga is an attitude, a way to approach life. To live joyfully, in happiness, embracing everything on your path, allowing it and accepting it in the wheel of your transformation.

Yoga sadhana is not the answer, but yoga sadhana can be the path to your answer.

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