Yoga ? The word “Yoga” derives from the Sanskrit root “yuj” – to yoke or combine. The underlying idea is that of the combination of the micro and macrocosmic spiritual realities – and thus liberation from samsara.

The idea of Yoga that we are familiar with was invented by the sage Patanjali – who combined two pre-existent ideas; the Philosophy of Samkhya, and the Practice of physical postures & meditation techniques that had been developed by the renouncers.

“PROTO - YOGA”. Spiritual attainment through the control of Prana – Breath / Energy in the body. This is achieved by Meditation, Use of specific postures &Breath control. Ultimately to free the “spirit” from the “world” (articulated in different ways)

Holding the body steady with the three upper parts erect, causing the senses to enter into the heart by means of the mind. The wise man with the boat of Brahman should cross all the streams that bring fear. Suppressing the breaths here in the body his movements controlled, he should breath through his nostrils with diminished breath. As he would a chariot yoked to bad horses, so should a wise man diligently restrain his mind. Shvetashvatra Upanishad II:8-9

Know the Self to be sitting in the chariot, the body to be the chariot, the intellect (buddhi) the charioteer, and the mind the reins. The senses they call the horses, the objects of the senses their roads... But he who has understanding and whose mind is always firmly held, his senses are under control, like good horses of a charioteer. He who has no understanding, who is unmindful and always impure, never reaches that place, but enters into the round of births.' Katha Upanishad 3:3-7

When the five instruments of knowledge stand still together with the mind, and when the intellect does not move, that is called the highest state. Katha Upanishad 6:9-10 "The practical method [for coming to this oneness consists in]: breath-control, withdrawal [of the senses from their objects], meditation, concentration, analytic discrimination and "enstasy": this is known as Yoga… Maitri Upanishad, 18-19

Samkhya Philosophy Brahman is manifested as: Ishvara (the Lord – Brahman Saguna). Jiva / Atman (the self) Prakriti (Nature)

Samkhya Philosophy Prakriti (Nature) is composed of three strands (Gunas) – Sattva (purity) Rajas (passion) Tamas (inertia)

He who has gunas, is a doer of deeds that bear fruit, and enjoyer of what he has done; Following the three paths, characterized by the three gunas, and assuming all forms, he roams about {in successive rebirths} according to his actions. The embodied one ( Ā tman) chooses forms, gross and subtle according to his qualities. Because of his union with these forms brought about by the qualities of his actions and his embodied self he is seen as something other than he is. Shvetashvatra Upanishad V.7, 12-13

Samkhya Yoga Patanjali combines these two systems in his Yoga Sutra – his synthesis is variously known as – Samkhya Yoga Astanga Yoga Citta-vritti-nirdoha.

Patanjali

Yama The first step is Yama – self control, not doing bad things. This is to do with your relationships with others in society and the Gods.

Niyama Niyama is also to do with ethics and relationships, but this is more disciplined, it is about doing good things – following religious teaching, doing pujas, reading texts, learning from gurus etc.

Asana Asanas are the postures that one thinks of when one thinks of “Yoga” Of great benefit to mental and physical health, but also designed to ease the flow of “prana” round the body, and prepare for spiritual effort.

ASANA

Pranayama Pranayama is usually thought of as breath control – or conscious awareness of breathing. There are many complex techniques.

Pratyahara Pratyahara means “the withdrawal of the senses” – inward concentration.

Pratyahara When in recollection he withdraws all his senses from the attractions of the pleasures of sense, even as a tortoise withdraws all its limbs, then his is a serene wisdom. Bhagavad Gita 2:58

Dharana Concentrating the mind upon a single object of thought.

Dhyana Meditation – concentration without an object.

Samadhi Samadhi is the ultimate goal of yoga – to be beyond all consciousness – Entasy.

What is the point? Patanjali’s system of Yoga is designed to slowly disengage Purusha from Prakriti, so that at Samadhi, there is only Purusha, which may then achieve liberation.

Liberation Liberation in Patanjali’s system is unique – it is described as Kevalatva – Isolated Bliss (no union with anything)