Yoga philosophy for beginners. Philosophy of yogic teaching. Tantra yoga - what is it

Yoga is a set of religious and philosophical teachings leading to the liberation of a person from the suffering of life. The founder of the teaching is considered to be Patanjali (2nd century BC), who systematized the basic techniques in the “Yoga Sutra” - the oldest written manual on yoga. Yoga teachings offer methods for achieving liberation from suffering and theoretically substantiate them.

Yoga is divided into four parts. The first deals with the nature, goals and forms of yoga, and discusses the various methods of achieving yoga. The second part is devoted to the means of achieving concentration, that is, the spiritual states that cause misfortune and their painful nature, the four-fold form of suffering, its cause and the means of ending suffering. The third part of yoga describes the internal aspects of yoga, the supernatural powers acquired through its practical application. The fourth part describes the nature and forms of liberation and examines the reality of another world.

The yogi's teachings are based on the philosophical ideas of the Samkhya school. Yoga is a variant of the practical application of Samkhya ideas in life. According to Samkhya, everything that exists in the world is a manifestation of two types of reality - matter and consciousness, the spiritual principle. Matter is the primary substance of the universe and consists in turn of three parts: reality, insight, which at the psychological level are identical to happiness; “obscurity”, non-stop activity that generates pain, and a dark, inert principle that generates ignorance and indifference. Mind, personal “I”, intellect are understood as refined forms of matter. Consciousness, the spiritual principle, is an eternal, unchanging principle of individuality, standing outside of time and space. Evidence of the existence of this spiritual principle is considered, in particular, pleasure, pain and indifference embodied in material forms. At the same time, it is argued that liberation from the adversities of the manifested world makes sense only if there is a Spirit independent of the material shell that is capable of such liberation. This spirit is universal and immortal, it represents pure individual consciousness.

Individuals who have not achieved enlightenment are not able to identify their true “I” and the motivation of their actions mainly depends on the sensory needs of the physical body. Therefore, liberation is achievable only under the condition of differentiation of the spiritual and material. The methodology of such liberation is offered by the teachings of yoga.

Yoga adheres to the concept of the existence of a supreme deity (Ishvara), the proof of whose existence comes down to identifying the qualitative characteristics of existence. The Supreme Being (Ishvara) is the bearer of all conceivable categories and qualities, in relation to which everything that exists in the world is assessed, but is not the Creator of the material world. Yoga philosophy considers God as the supreme object of reflection for concentration and self-knowledge. It is God, as the supreme being, who establishes the relationship between two primary realities independent of each other - the individual rational principle (purusha) and primary matter (prakriti) - in accordance with the moral merits of individual souls.

The individual self is considered to be united with the physical body and more closely related to the subtle body. The Self is above all phenomena pertaining to the mind and body, above all physical and psychological changes such as sleeping and waking, birth and death, etc.

Awareness of the “I” is the achievement of a state of freedom from all misfortune and suffering - liberation. But spiritual penetration can be achieved only when the mind remains completely calm and clear, all modifications of the mind cease (interchanges of various states of mind: restless, inactive, distracted, concentrated, restrained).

According to the teachings of yoga, to achieve spiritual liberation of a person, you need a pure heart and a clear head. This can only be achieved by observing spiritual discipline. The system of spiritual improvement involves eight stages, of which the first five stages of yoga (hatha yoga) are aimed at mastering the material level of human existence, in particular his body, and the next three are mastering the spirit (raja yoga) (Appendix 4). This system includes abstinence from unrighteous life, lies, immoderate enrichment, sexual life, adherence to the rules of internal and external purity, taming passions, reflection and surrender to the will of God, performing special physical exercises (asanas), mastering harmonious breathing and concentration skills consciousness on a specific object. As a result, liberation from everything corporeal and material occurs and spiritual liberation is achieved.

It is believed that a person who has mastered yoga acquires special strength. For example, he can tame all animals, including even wild animals; get any thing with a simple desire; know the present, past and future. They can also see through closed doors, pass through stone walls, become invisible, appear in different places at the same time, etc. But the yoga system, according to its theorists, warns against using yoga for these purposes. A yogi (a person who has mastered yoga) should not use this system to acquire and use supernatural powers. He must overcome this temptation because yoga is for liberation.

The importance of yoga as an important method of comprehending and realizing the ideas of the multidimensionality of the world is recognized by almost all Indian systems of philosophy. The use of yoga is the best way of self-purification, that is, cleansing the body and intellect. Therefore, almost all systems of Indian philosophy insist on the use of yoga as a necessary practical side of the philosophy of life.

In yoga, health is understood as a state of the body in which all its functions are carried out efficiently and easily. Swami Sivananda, as a modern doctor who used yoga therapy, wrote: “This is a state of comfort, lightness, the ability to eat, move and perform other vital functions. This is a state that is achieved through the harmonious functioning of various organs of the body.”

The understanding of health in the yoga system is based on natural philosophical views on the structure of the human body. It is believed that health is a state of balance of “the three elements of the body (breath, bile and mucus), provided that the brain and organs of the body work harmoniously and harmoniously, the person is calm and happy and carries all his life’s responsibilities with ease and ease.”

Considering human health as a dynamic state that changes under the influence of many factors, yoga therapy offers various methods for its restoration, preservation and improvement. They are based on the understanding of man as a being consisting of body, consciousness and spirit, and these components are closely interrelated. It is believed that all diseases initially originate in the mind, and only then affect the body. “Disease is a violation of certain laws of nature. ...Eliminating the cause of a disease is the most rational way to treat it,” says Swami Sivananda. In accordance with this understanding of the disease, the improvement of consciousness, primarily in its moral area, in yoga therapy is as important a component of treatment as methods of healing the body.

According to the teachings of yoga, the main means of getting rid of various diseases are considered natural, i.e. subordinate to the rhythms of nature, a way of life, natural food, cleanliness, rest and moderate physical activity, and most importantly - a joyful state of mind and observance of moral laws. Swami Sivananda, as a doctor who used yoga therapy in his practice for many years, recommended: “Be always joyful. The mind can heal all physical illnesses of the body with harmonious, healthy, spiritual thoughts, because all physical illnesses originate in the mind. Lack of joy and fun leads to poor health. If a person is always joyful and has his thoughts turned towards goodness, towards God, he will never get sick and will have good health.”

The medical-philosophical system of yoga contains the doctrine of “spiritual physiology”. It includes ideas about the relationship between the moral qualities of an individual, a person’s feelings and the work of the organs and systems of his body (Appendix 5).

In modern India, healthy and sick people practice yoga (in yoga therapy clinics); Research institutes continue to study this empirical traditional system.

Ideals in philosophy, religion and medicine of ancient India

In ancient Indian philosophy, much attention was paid to problems of morality. The laws of dharma and karma, the doctrine of moral duty, the ways of human self-improvement - these are elements of ancient Indian religious and philosophical teachings, in which the main idea of ​​the need for comprehensive human improvement is manifested.

In ancient Indian philosophy, the path to personal improvement, which should lead a person to deliverance from suffering, the attachments of life and allow one to interrupt the endless series of reincarnations, had various variations. In general terms, they can be divided into two options. The first is to take the path of self-denial and, renouncing worldly temptations, become an ascetic. The second is living a righteous life in the world in accordance with one’s personal dharma. The second path involves following a number of rules that, on the one hand, limit a person, and on the other, recommend that he cultivate certain qualities in himself. A person should not use violence (kill) towards living beings, lie, steal, indulge in sensual pleasures, or show greed. He must maintain purity, be in a state of contentment, full concentration, constantly study, serve God.

In Buddhism, the idea was first proclaimed that there is nothing in the world that is not relative in a certain sense. The moral and ethical norms of Buddhism are not based on abstract concepts of good and evil, but are based on the idea that any act can be interpreted differently depending on the circumstances. Actions and thoughts can be based on compassion, generosity and wisdom, or they can be based on hatred, gluttony and deception. Therefore, it is customary to consider moral actions that increase the spiritual level and bring joy to a Buddhist. Anything that stands in the way of comprehending the truth will be immoral. Thus, moral norms should be interpreted in the context of a specific act and its motivation. Wisdom and compassion are affirmed as natural categories that determine the harmonious existence of a person.

The Buddhist code of higher morality is based on the principle of abstinence from non-virtues, which relate to the actions of the body, speech and mind. Buddhist ethics includes taking the life of any creature, theft and debauchery as physical non-virtues. The non-virtues of speech include lying, slander, rudeness, and idle talk. The non-virtues of the mind are envy, malicious intent, false views (delusions). The non-virtues of the mind determine in a person’s life his bad (in Buddhist terminology) actions and deeds.

The Tibetan branch of Buddhism emphasizes the need to build relationships between people based not only on love, but on altruism. Love based on altruism “can even extend to someone who harms us, that is, to our enemy.” Buddhism, attaching decisive importance to the establishment of harmony and peace in human life, views morality as a system of human relationships of a certain type. Relationships between people based on love and mutual respect are the standard of Buddhist morality. In Buddhism there is no Creator, and everything depends on a person’s own actions and will.

Principle of Ahimsa(“thou shalt not kill”) ranks first on the list of unacceptable actions. The term “ahimsa” means not only not committing murder, but also instilling in a person a respectful attitude towards all living beings. In a philosophical sense, this concept correlates with karmic theory and endows all living beings with personal dharma. Ahimsa aims to identify the relationships between all forms of life. According to the principle of ahimsa, cruelty to anyone is unacceptable because it implies denial of his right to life. The principle of ahimsa (non-harm) affirms the right to life of all living beings. This principle is the central idea of ​​the religious and philosophical teachings of Jainism (founder - Vardhamana Mahavira).

Also in Jainism, the rejection of categorical judgments is mandatory, because everyone has the right to judgment and relinquishment of property, because all forms of life are interconnected. If a person has felt the uniqueness of each soul, then he will never encroach on its existence. If he felt that every person is a thinking being, then he recognizes the right of everyone to their own opinion. If a person feels that he has no one and nothing, then he will never desire world domination.

The soul, according to Jainism, is immortal. Therefore, the main task is the evolution of the soul during numerous incarnations (reincarnations). This process continues until it finds its natural, original state - a state of absolute purity and peace.

Thus, we can conclude that ancient Indian philosophy has a deeply humanistic orientation. One of the preachers of Tibetan Buddhism, Xing-Yun, believes: “We must act mercifully and compassionately, without regard to what kind of relationship we have with people and whether we will be rewarded for our work.”

Understanding the essence of man as a unity of the physical and spiritual and, at the same time, being in inextricable unity with the surrounding world and the cosmos formed the basis for understanding human health and illness, methods and means of treating them.

Hindu-Buddhist philosophical ideas underlie the medical knowledge of Ancient India, called "Ayurveda". The word “Ayurveda” literally translated from Sanskrit means “science of life”. The teachings of Ayurveda are set out in a number of treatises, the first of which were written in the late Vedic period (c. 500 BC) and reflect the philosophical concepts of that time.

In ancient Indian medicine, the idea of human health– ideal spiritual and physical condition. It was based on natural philosophical ideas about the primary elements (primary elements) that form the basis of being. In ancient Indian philosophy and medicine, man was considered in close relationship with the world around him. The whole world, according to the ideas of the ancient Indians, consisted of five primary elements - earth, water, air, fire and ether. The carriers of three of these elements (fire, water and air), which ensure the vital activity of the human body, were considered to be three primary liquids (“wind”, bile and mucus). From the five primary elements of the world and the three liquids in the human body, blood, muscles, bones, brain, etc. are formed. In accordance with these ideas, “health was understood as the result of a balanced relationship between three substances, the correct performance of vital functions of the body, the normal interaction of the senses and clarity of mind.”

Disease was understood, accordingly, as a violation of these correct relationships and a negative impact on a person of the five elements, as well as seasons, climate, unhealthy water, violation of hygiene rules, etc. The role of the doctor was reduced to restoring the balance that existed before the disease with the help of medications, physical methods (massage, exercise, diet, etc.) and surgical operations.

Thus, health was recognized as a state of harmony of the internal elements of the human body and, at the same time, harmony of a person with the outside world. Only with such a state can a person achieve liberation from the attachments of body and mind, free his consciousness and achieve the state of nirvana.

Compliance with moral laws was recognized as one of the main conditions for achieving a state of health. Their violation in accordance with the laws of karma is manifested, in particular, in the occurrence of various diseases.

The development of medicine in Ancient India is closely connected with the formation of professional medical ethics, within the framework of which ideas about the image of a doctor were developed. It included both the presence of professional knowledge and skills, and certain requirements for his moral and physical appearance. It was considered necessary that a healer, “who wishes to be successful in practice, should be healthy, neat, modest, patient, wear a short-cropped beard, carefully cleaned, trimmed nails, white clothes scented with incense, and leave the house only with a stick and an umbrella.” , and especially avoided chatter.”

A certain list of requirements for the moral character of a healer and his behavior in society was contained in the sermon that the teacher delivered to his students after completing his studies at medical school. Its text is given in the medical treatise “Charaka Samhita”, written by the outstanding ancient Indian physician Charaka (Appendix 6). It notes, in particular, that the doctor must direct all his thoughts, words and feelings to the treatment of the patient, must strive to improve his knowledge and must never do evil. The same sermon says that the doctor must keep secret information about the patient’s condition, about events in the patient’s life that he may witness in the course of healing. Thus, in medicine, the idea of ​​respect for a person’s personality, not causing harm to him either in word or deed, which was contained in many teachings of ancient Indian philosophers, appeared.

Buddhist teachings introduced a psychological approach to healing into Ayurveda, emphasized the importance of a person’s volitional aspiration to preserve and restore (in case of illness) his health, and highlighted as the main Ayurvedic principle of understanding human nature, according to which any biological manifestations contain a psychological component.

As Buddhism and Indian medicine spread, Tibetan medicine was formed, incorporating the philosophical ideas of Buddhism, Ayurvedic knowledge and elements of Chinese medicine.

In Tibetan medicine, the unity of philosophical and medical approaches to understanding human nature, his health and illness is most fully and clearly manifested. The spiritual and the physical are an inseparable whole - this is the initial thesis of Tibetan medicine.

Tibetan Buddhism includes the practice of yoga, including methods of rejuvenation and immortality, also associated with the principles of Ayurveda.

In Tibetan medicine, the spiritual development of the individual is the main, integral part of the healing process, since spiritual development is always accompanied by corresponding physiological changes.

According to the holistic approach of the Tibetan tradition, the idea of ​​health does not begin with a diagnosis and does not end with methods of physical activity or balanced nutrition. In the fundamental treatise on Tibetan medicine (“Four Tantras”), health and well-being are determined by the following factors: the absence of serious psychophysiological pathologies; understanding of the changeable and transitory nature of existence and awareness of life purpose within the framework of this understanding; a sense of moral responsibility, the desire for knowledge and self-improvement; commitment to a wellness program based on personality traits, constitutional type, body needs and the ability to satisfy these needs; adequate perception of changes and tensions in relationships with other people and the environment, climate, the ability to accept the aging process as a given; a feeling of satisfaction with what has been achieved, gratitude for embodiment in human form.

Good health (physical and psychological) is the result of a lifelong process, since life is filled with many factors that impair a person’s physical and spiritual health.

Spiritual health in Tibetan medicine implies the acquisition of a natural rhythm of life and synchronous work of the entire “internal mechanism” with the emotional, physical and external worlds. Spiritual health provides a sense of consistency that is essential for physical and psychological well-being.

Treatment in accordance with the canons of Tibetan medicine involves changing the entire pattern of human behavior. Tibetan medicine has a method of holistic treatment of soul and body, based on the Ayurvedic “science of life”. This is panchakarma - a system that involves the use of five cleansing, rejuvenating and healing techniques, the condition for the use of which is the achievement of spiritual harmony of a person with the world. The basic principle and indispensable condition for spiritual development is the ability to peaceful coexistence. A person must learn to perceive life as it is, and not as we would like it to be.

Thus, the philosophical ideas of Tibetan Buddhism and Ayurvedic knowledge, united together, gave rise to such a medical and philosophical phenomenon as Tibetan medicine, which is currently of value as a phenomenon of world culture.

Updated 11/21/2019

Yoga as a philosophical doctrine takes its origins from the time of the existence of the Aryan civilization. It contains the basics of interpretation of the origin of the world and understanding of human nature, methods of spiritual self-improvement.

The concept of this teaching has a huge number of admirers. As a special system of ancient Indian wisdom, yoga consists of theoretical and practical foundations, some sections, methods and directions. It is one of the six famous orthodox philosophical schools of India and one of the Darshanas.

Philosophy of classical yoga

To understand the philosophy of yoga, you must first understand its origins and theoretical foundations.

Yoga is a philosophy of Ancient India, the foundations of which are set out in the main work of this school, called the Yoga Sutra, and commentaries to it. Its author is Patanajali, about whom very little is known. We recommend that you read it.

It was previously believed that the great teacher, philosopher and yogi lived in India in the 2nd century BC. But now the opinion has become stronger that it was several centuries later - in the 2nd century AD. Patanajali is only the author of the work, and not the entire philosophical teaching, since the principles of yogic practice are mentioned in the Vedas, Ramayana and Mahabharata (in part of the Bhagavad Gita). The term “yoga” itself can be found in the early Upanishads, which are commentaries on the Vedas.

Let's move on to the fundamental concepts of the philosophy of classical yoga.

So, all existence includes two substances Prakriti and Purusha. Prakriti represents everything material in the existing world. This is something that can be seen, heard or felt in some other way, and recorded with high-precision instruments. We recommend that you read the information about.

The concept of “Purusha” contains the spiritual principle, the so-called eternal Spirit. Ishvara - God among all spiritual beings - is a manifestation of Purusha. He did not create the world and does not control it, but he has the power to unite and separate the spiritual from the material. If Prakriti cannot be realized, then Purusha is conscious.

If Prakriti is constantly changing, then Purusha is not subject to change, therefore he is outside of time and space. He is like an observer of the changing picture of the world.

In the teachings of classical yoga, a person, like the whole world, is a kind of microcosm that unites Prakriti and Purusha.

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The material in a person is his physical body, thoughts, emotions, memory, etc. The spiritual, that is, Purusha, represents his consciousness, the so-called “I” - unchanging and eternal.

Purusha consciously guides Prakriti. This can be compared to people lost in the forest, where Purusha is legless and Prakriti is blind. And only by uniting will they be able to make their way through the forest and free themselves.

From attachment to the objective world, which gives rise to desires and expectations, a person experiences suffering. As long as we are attached to the forms of Prakriti, we leave imprints (vasanas) in our buddhi (instrument of perception of the external world), therefore our Karma will exist - a dependence of a cause-and-effect nature.

After the death of the physical body, vasanas remain, and the soul passes into another entity. This is called reincarnation, and the series of rebirths is called the wheel of samsara.

It is possible to free yourself from suffering, says yoga. It is the practice of yoga, cleansing techniques, a set of exercises for the body and spirit, and philosophical reflections that will help you realize Purusha, give up striving for something material, and free yourself from attachments. After this realization, the soul leaves the wheel of samsara. The achieved existence can only be compared with Ishvara - there is no suffering, but there is awareness.

Within the framework of classical yoga, different directions have been formed. There are a whole lot of them. We will look at some of them.

Features and tasks of Sivananda yoga

Sivananda Yoga founded by Swami Sivananda (1887-1963), Hindu spiritual teacher. This direction is characterized by a comprehensive approach, since it contains exercises to achieve relaxation, training in internal concentration, breathing exercises.

Yoga Sivananda is based on five essential principles:

1. Relaxation. To achieve maximum spiritual, physical and mental relaxation, you must regularly perform.
2. Meditation and Vedanta help to achieve positive thinking, which contributes to the well-being of the spiritual, mental, physical. We recommend an article about.
3. Regularity and correct performance of asanas help strengthen the body, rejuvenate and restore the body.
4. help you take control of your own consciousness.
5. Through the practice of vegetarianism and moderate dietary restrictions, the human body receives beneficial substances without any negative impact on the environment.

Each lesson begins and ends with mantras, which allow using sound vibrations to positively influence the body, spirit, and emotional state.

Tantra yoga - what is it

Another widely known area of ​​yoga is tantra yoga. It is represented by a system of methods that allow you to awaken, transform and consciously use sexual energy. The teaching is based on sacred texts - tantras.

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It is worth highlighting three main directions within tantra yoga:

1. Black tantra is aimed at training mental strength, which allows you to control circumstances and even people. With its help they teach how to fulfill desires.
2. White Tantra – practiced in groups or couples. It implies going beyond desires and motivations. With the help of mantras and exercises, energetic cleansing of the physical and mental components of the student is achieved. Read more about the meaning of mantras.
3. Red tantra - with the help of sexual practices practiced with a partner, one can achieve spiritual or creative development and achieve sexual bliss.

This practice helps to unite the masculine and feminine principles, overcome complexes through proper acceptance of one’s own body, and significantly expand consciousness.

Guru Yoga as a branch of classical yoga

Guru yoga is considered one of the most important practices. Its essence lies in the merging of the mind of the student and the spiritual teacher. In the process of practice, the Four States of Enlightenment awakens, when the student has the opportunity to achieve the blessing of body, speech and mind. The final stage of practice is the merging of the disciple's mind with the guru's mind.

There are three essential principles of guru yoga:

1. The student's desire to learn.
2. The student's readiness to interact with the teacher. The student must be responsible for his actions and choices.
3. Freedom of will and choice of the student. The student should not bow to the teacher and obey him unquestioningly. Only the free choice of the student himself is welcomed.

Now it is clear that yoga is a philosophy, a way of life in India. By practicing it, you can achieve completely different goals: strengthen the body and spirit, improve physical health, gain confidence, get rid of desires and suffering, or even free yourself from a series of rebirths (samsara).

Each of the yoga schools offers its own methods of achieving the goal, but each of them places emphasis on the harmony of the physical, spiritual and mental.

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Purpose and philosophy of Yoga

Human, not satisfied with modern inventions and knowledge of the countless secrets of nature, is tirelessly busy searching for goals in other planes. When a person observes the wonders of nature through the prism of the mysterious atom, which is the building block of the universe, when he sees how countless stars and planets move, separate from each other and collide with each other, then it is not possible to fully comprehend all this. And this tired mind, looking at the galaxies in outer space, in which our planet is just a small grain of sand, is filled with fatigue, disappointment and pity.

A person is not satisfied with his activities intelligence, since this “thinking machine” does not answer questions such as: “ What is the purpose of life?", "Who am i? ", " What does the future hold for me?", "Is physical death the end of everything?", etc. And this reason, which, as man boastfully claims, knows everything, in the end cannot comprehend where the galaxies end, and can only approximately establish the forms of electrons - functions within these two poles of macro- and microworlds. Beyond these worlds, the human intellect cannot penetrate the thickness of laws unknown to it. It is foolish to search for truth with the help of such an imperfect and limited instrument as human intelligence, - he is not destined to comprehend the depths of the eternal question about the purpose of life.

As long as the mind is focused on external objects, it cannot comprehend the truth or God. The answers to transcendental questions are given by seers and saints not on the basis of their intellectual activities or laboratory experiments. Their source is the unknown, unlimited wisdom and knowledge gained as a result of many hours of silent contemplation, when rational activity ceases. Realization of God or truth occurs only when the mind and senses are silent.

Now the question arises: what does this kind of knowledge give us? Does God exist? Is there life after death? What is the purpose of life? Without setting any goal for ourselves, we are unlikely to be able to answer these questions.

The few who comprehend the truth say that the truth will free us from our troubles. When man comprehends the truth, he is faced with what is by its nature always pure and perfect. The cause of all our troubles lies in the fear of death, illness and unfulfilled desires. When a person realizes the truth or his true nature, he will find that he is immortal. Consequently, he will understand that death is alien to him and he will not have the fear of death. When a person understands that he is perfect and limitless, he will not be possessed by selfish desires. Thus, having freed himself from the fear of death, knowing his true nature and discovering that the kingdom of heaven is within him, a person experiences complete bliss, even while in the physical body.

Human purpose is to achieve, during your lifetime, a state in which there is no place for death, pain, sadness, old age, illness and rebirth.

In order to get rid of these troubles, different religions use different teachings. Many believers blindly obey the clergy, not knowing either the purpose of life or the purpose of religion. Such people are content with only one faith, just as representatives of the top of various faiths demand that people blindly obey them. If the blind show the way to the blind, then this leads to the fact that many righteous people stray from their true path, since they lack faith in theoretical knowledge.

Modern believers and preachers are busy preaching rather than practicing. They argue that the states described above can only be experienced by the creators of religion, since no one can achieve true spirituality until he reaches their level of perception. Each person needs to comprehend the truth himself, because only after that all his sorrows and sorrows will disappear. Christ said: " If you follow my teachings then you will be my true disciples and you will realize the truth and it will make you free". (St. John 8:31,32).

Science Yoga provides a practical and scientifically based method of comprehending the truth in religion. Like any science that has its own method of research, yoga also has its own method and claims that the attainment of truth is possible. The truth is revealed only when we go beyond the limits of sensory sensations and rational activity.

There are various types of yoga with which you can achieve unity with the highest principle. Yoga is a science with the help of which a person comprehends the truth. The goal of yoga practice is to achieve truth, that is, a state where the individual soul identifies itself with the supreme soul or god. To achieve such a state it is necessary to overcome the boundaries of individual consciousness.

In fact, spirit or pure consciousness is by its nature whole, indivisible, motionless and unchanging, we find the same spirit everywhere - from mineral to man. For mind and matter are the reflection of spirit or pure consciousness, and their creative power forms the medium that masks consciousness, and forms forms from the formless spirit, transforming the infinite into the finite in the form of self-consciousness or personality. Spirit or pure consciousness never changes.

Although the spirit in man is not so constrained by mind and body, there is still a barrier that prevents the spirit from achieving its full expression. Man has self-awareness. Animals exist on a subconscious level and do not have one. Self-consciousness is a higher degree of development compared to the subconscious. Universal Consciousness- above self-awareness and is the highest level of knowledge. Possessing it, a person identifies himself with his true essence or God himself.

As the intellect develops, the veil covering the spirit becomes thinner and finally disappears completely. When this happens, the soul realizes that it is immortal and identifies itself with God. Achieving such a state is the goal of yoga, as is the goal of all religions. Yoga is a scientific method of achieving a state in which there is no duality, no subject, no object, when the knower, knowledge and the known merge into a single whole.

Such a state can only be achieved if a person completely goes beyond the boundaries of the physical body and mind, which are a barrier to pure consciousness or the divine essence. In order to overcome the limitations of the body and mind and use them as means to achieve the goal of yoga, the yoga practitioner subjects the body and mind to severe training. He studies in detail the mediums in which the soul or pure consciousness is contained. The study and knowledge of the bodies and media through which the spirit expresses itself is very important in the stage preceding the study of the spirit.

Human much more complicated than is usually imagined. A person is not only a physical body and mind. There are three bodies in total in a person. Moreover, each is a shell of the soul. The casual body is the subtlest of all three bodies. Although man has all three bodies, he usually deals with the physical body. Only to a very small extent does it deal with the astral body, especially during dreams and yogic meditation. After carefully studying and establishing control over the three bodies, a person comes to introspection, trying to answer the question: who am I?

Modern psychology says nothing about this process of introspection by which truth can be discovered and realized. God, that is, a state when a person feels neither pain, nor grief, nor superiority, nor inferiority, nor his own Self, nor disunity.

Such knowledge gives a feeling of unity with the whole world, and a person no longer perceives himself as a separate person, he merges with God. This state gives a person peace, which, as stated in Bible, goes beyond understanding. This knowledge is the pinnacle of all knowledge or Vedanta. When such a state is achieved, the distinction between the knower, knowledge and cognition disappears, since the spirit or true I there is knowledge itself, and the external world is no longer the source of knowledge.

If you know how long it takes to master a theoretical heritage Vedanta, which puzzles even educated people, then you can imagine how difficult it is to comprehend the great truth" man is God", "I am God", "I am in everything" and "Everything is in me". The whole philosophy of yoga and Vedanta based on the theory of unity, it can be achieved through gradual improvement through reincarnation.

Our life on this planet can last a hundred years, of which 50 are spent sleeping and daydreaming. Some occur in infancy, when a person lives on a subconscious level. When illnesses appear and old age sets in, a person’s mental state deteriorates and, torn by fear and hope, he practically lives in a dream world. Man has very little time to understand God the Father and rise to a higher level of existence. Before most people can even believe in God, they will die. Should we believe that since they cannot reach a higher level of existence during their short lives, they are forever doomed to suffer in hell. Do they have the opportunity to achieve eternal bliss?

Of course, it would be too simple to assume that God is a human production enterprise that produces new souls every day, which it sends to Earth, condemning them to pain and suffering, and in the end, sending them to heaven or hell. If there is no rebirth, what is the purpose of knowledge and its institutions such as libraries, laboratories, churches and temples? Why can't we live like animals or bushmen outside of modern civilization? Why do we want to bring peace to our planet and eliminate suffering through our efforts, will, capabilities, compassion, worship? If there is no metempsychosis (transmigration of souls) on earth after the death of the physical body, then why don’t we destroy all of humanity with new terrible bombs? If it weren't for metempsychoses, a person would not lose anything if a world war led to the destruction of the world. New souls would not appear on earth, and God could take a break from his labors, since he could not send new souls to the Earth, polluted by radiation, which would make the existence of humans, animals and plants impossible.

In order to answer these questions, we must recognize the law of karma or action and reaction, as well as the law of transmigration of souls, if we are, of course, intelligent beings. Each individual soul learns through trial and error and corrects the mistakes made as they progress along the path. Every action, good or bad, has a result, and a person's future life depends on what he does at the moment. Through suffering he learns more and more with each birth in each life cycle. As knowledge expands, a person wants to know more about his existence, about God and the goals of your life. But such thoughts come to him only as he gradually develops, moving to a higher level of philosophy of life from a lower level limited to thoughts of food, drink and entertainment.

Yoga philosophy not only provides answers to all the questions of a person, but also provides a scientific way to overcome his problems and sufferings. Moreover, the philosophy of yoga does not contradict any religion or faith, and anyone who sincerely wants to take the path of searching for truth can practice it.

Yoga philosophy- This is not some vague doctrine at all. Even relatively small efforts will lead to a significant increase in knowledge, strength and peace of mind.

Other articles on similar topics:
• The concept of God in the philosophy of Yoga in the article: God in the Yoga system.
• The point of brutality of Religion is partially reflected in the article:.
• Human development in the article: .

Yoga Philosophy

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Yoga is nothing more than a method of uniting the body with the spirit. This is a subject that needs to be dealt with practically, it needs to be experienced for oneself, only theoretical knowledge is not suitable for evolution. Experience is direct knowledge and acts as an impetus for further ardent and energetic pursuit of this art and science. Yoga it is a universal culture, as it suits anyone, regardless of age, gender or nationality.

Basic principles of Yoga - Yama and Niyama

The sage Patanjali in ancient times formulated eight fundamental principles on which self-knowledge through Yogi. He also called it soul searching. Most people first begin their acquaintance with Yoga with Asanas- the third stage, which is incorrect from the point of view of the sage. Before exposing your body and mind to Asanas, future yogis should understand and accept the principles of the first two stages.

The philosophy of yoga is extremely popular today. For many, it became a real discovery in life. Yoga saves tortured people from daily stress and helps them see what is most important, discarding what is unimportant. However, it does not come down to a banal set of physical exercises. Yoga as an ancient tradition and religion, yoga as - this is what will be discussed in this article.

Reasons for the popularity of yoga in the modern world

As already noted, yoga is extremely popular today. You could even say that it is fashionable in modern society. What are the reasons for such popularity?

To do this you need to answer one question. Modern personality - what is it like? Exhausted, depressed and depressed. A person of the 21st century, as a rule, spends his life in pursuit of dubious benefits. Yoga not only helps you cope with daily stress, but also teaches you to concentrate your attention (and strength) on the most important, truly important things.

The philosophy of yoga opens a person to the only true path to realizing his essence and helps him fully realize his inner potential.

It is interesting that the practical methods of yoga work in any case. Even if a person does not really believe in them or does not have the slightest idea about the essence and foundations of this philosophy. This is another unique feature of yoga.

Yoga Philosophy (briefly)

What is yoga? Is it fair to call it philosophy, science or religion?

The word itself translated from Sanskrit means “unity”. In a narrow sense, we are talking here primarily about the harmony and fusion of the human body and soul. In a more global sense, this is the unity of man with God.

Yoga is an Indian philosophy, very ancient. Its main postulates were outlined back in the second century by the famous guru Patanjali. However, it is incorrect to claim that the philosophy of yoga was founded by him. After all, it is believed that the Creator himself gave yoga to humanity (through the avatar Krishna).

The fundamentals of this teaching are not systematic. Their individual aspects can be found in various ancient Indian sources, starting with the Vedas. That is why historians cannot determine a clear chronological framework for this direction.

The philosophy of yoga is extremely multifaceted. The main goal of the teaching is to achieve nirvana. This term means complete reunification with the Creator.

Today, researchers identify several forms of yoga. This:

• karma yoga;
• bhakti yoga;
• jnana yoga;
• mantra yoga;
• hatha yoga and others.

Each of these directions is only one of the steps towards the single goal of yoga philosophy - unity with the Almighty. In our article we will dwell in more detail on the last of these forms.

Parable of the Hidden Divinity

The philosophy of yoga for beginners is best illustrated by one of the ancient Indian parables. It will help to better understand the essence of this teaching for those who are just beginning to get acquainted with it.

So, the parable of hidden divinity...

According to legend, previously all people on Earth were gods. This is how Brahma created them. However, soon the ruler of all gods saw that they were using their power not entirely righteously, and therefore decided to take away their divine power. At the same time, he had a question: where to hide divinity from people so that they could not find it?

To solve this dilemma, Brahma called his advisors. They began to bombard him with various options: some suggested burying the divinity in the ground, others - throwing it at the bottom of the ocean... However, Brahma did not like any of the proposals. “Sooner or later people will reach the bottom of the oceans,” he answered thoughtfully.

Suddenly the ruler of the gods himself realized what needed to be done. He decided to hide divinity within man himself. And I was not mistaken. Man conquered the skies and the depths of the sea, drilled kilometer-long tunnels underground, but never really looked inside himself.

ancient finds

It is difficult to determine how deep the roots of yoga stretch into history. Thus, in the Indus River valley, archaeologists found ancient seals dating back to the second millennium BC. They depict people, as well as deities in unusual poses (in total, researchers counted 16 different positions). This find led historians to believe that one form of yoga was already familiar to the inhabitants of the Harappan civilization.

If we talk about written evidence, the concept of “yoga” is first found in the Rig Veda - one of the most ancient monuments of Indian literature.

Patanjali and his Yoga Sutras

This teaching is included in the list of six orthodox schools of Hinduism. The philosophy of yoga is very closely related to the Samkhya movement. However, in comparison, yoga is more theistic.

Heinrich Zimmer also spoke about the kinship of these two schools in his time. At the same time, he argued that Samkhya provides a general explanation of human nature, while yoga reveals practical methods and paths to its complete liberation (the state of moksha).

Like any other school of Indian philosophy, yoga has its own sacred texts. These are the so-called “yoga sutras” expounded by the sage Patanjali. In one of them, by the way, the teacher reveals the very essence of the concept we are considering. According to the text of the second sutra, yoga is “the process of controlling the disturbances inherent in the mind.”

Swami Vivekananda: the life of a philosopher

One of the brightest representatives of this school is the Indian sage and Swami Vivekananda. The philosophy of yoga in his works acquired a new meaning. He was able to explain its key provisions from the point of view of the Western worldview.

Swami Vivekananda lived and worked in the second half of the 19th century. He was born in 1863 into a very religious family. He studied at the Scottish Church College, where he took a special interest in philosophy. At the same time, Vivekananda sets out to find a person who met God himself. And soon he finds it. It was a certain Ramakrishna. Soon Vivekananda becomes his student.

In 1888, he, along with other students of Ramakrishna, began traveling throughout India. Then it goes to other countries (USA, France, Japan, England and others). The sage died in 1902. Swami's body, like his, was cremated on the banks of the Ganges River.

During his life, Vivekananda wrote a number of works. The most important among them are the following:

• "Karma Yoga" (1896).
• "Raja Yoga" (1896).
• "The Philosophy of Vedanta: Lectures on Jnana Yoga" (1902).

Swami Vivekananda: philosophical views

Vivekananda has a very famous saying: only his names differ." Some call him Jesus, others Allah, others Buddha, and so on.

Swami Vivekananda was distinguished by the originality of his thoughts. His main merit as a philosopher is that he was able to prove that the key ideas of Vedanta can be applied for purely practical purposes, in public life.

“Every person is divine in itself” - this saying of Ramakrishna became a red thread in the life of the philosopher. He was sure that no one would gain freedom until all other people became free. Vivekananda asserted that he had a real duty to work tirelessly to save other people. The philosopher extolled selflessness and urged everyone not to lose faith in themselves.

Swami Vivekananda's social views were based on the idea that there should be division. Religion, in his opinion, should under no circumstances interfere in issues of marriage, inheritance relations, and the like. He also believed that society should ideally be an even mixture of all four castes. Moreover, he was sure that religion should not interfere in the process of building an ideal society.

Yoga Hatha: school philosophy

The name of this is translated from Sanskrit as “enhanced fusion”. For the first time, the postulates of this school were systematized by Swami Swatmarama. He believed that hatha yoga is the process of preparing the human body for complex meditation.

The word “hatha” itself, as researchers suggest, consists of two components: “ha” - mind and “tha” - life force.

Hatha yoga is a complex teaching about how you can achieve bodily harmony through physical and mental influences on the body (these are asanas, pranayama, mudras and bandhas). Each of them affects a specific part of the human body. In hatha yoga, sets of certain exercises are specially selected with the help of which you can strengthen your health and fight serious diseases.

Breathing is the basis of life

The main emphasis in hatha yoga is on breathing. Adherents of this school are confident that the influence of breathing on the body is so strong that with just pranayama (breathing exercises) you can significantly improve your condition. And skillfully combining them with asanas is the key to a healthy and strong body.

Hatha yoga as a medical philosophy puts as its primary goal the complete cleansing of the human respiratory system. In addition, this is a real art of relaxing the body and all its muscles. After all, real clarity of mind comes only to a relaxed body.

The state of the body, well-being, as well as a person’s thought processes are closely related to his breathing. I think everyone will agree with this. That is why in Hatha Yoga such attention is paid to the art and techniques of proper breathing. At the same time, she teaches people to breathe correctly not only during special classes, but also in everyday life. A wise and careful attitude towards one’s health is what hatha yoga teaches people. Philosophy and practice are organically intertwined in this teaching.

General goals and objectives of yoga

Anyone who decides to take up yoga seriously may pursue different goals. It could be a simple desire to improve your health or recover from a chronic disease. And for some, yoga is the key to achieving moksha (“union with Brahman”).

By the way, it is moksha - as the process and fact of liberation from samsara - that is the ultimate goal in many schools of ancient Indian philosophy. But in Vaishnavism, the main goal of yoga is the desire for God, the Creator. According to the teachings of this school, a Vaisnava then enters the spiritual blissful world, where he can enjoy devotional service to Vishnu.

Development of yoga in Russia

Individual residents of Russia showed interest in yoga even in pre-revolutionary times. During the era of the Soviet Union, this school was under an ideological ban, which, however, did not prevent individual enthusiasts from practicing semi-legally.

In Russia, at different times, many famous personalities acted as active promoters of yoga. Among these are the doctor B. L. Smirnov, professor V. V. Brodov, writer V. I. Voronin, engineer Ya. I. Koltunov and many others. At the end of the 80s, a higher educational institution began to operate in Moscow - the so-called Yoga Academy. Its founder was Gennady Statsenko. At the same time, a laboratory appeared in the capital of the USSR, which was studying unconventional methods of treatment and recovery. Of course, the area of ​​interest of this laboratory also included the teachings of Ancient India - yoga.

Today, yoga courses are taught in almost every fitness club. However, knowledgeable people still recommend attending classes at a specialized school.

Finally, some useful tips for those who are planning to start doing yoga:

• clothes for classes should be comfortable and made of natural fabric;
• you need to start mastering yoga small, gradually penetrating into the “depths” of this teaching;
• It is not advisable to skip classes, because each new session is a logical continuation of the previous one;
• Yoga practice must be approached extremely consciously and thoroughly.

And, of course, we should not forget that yoga is not only a healthy, fit body, but also an opportunity to feel the harmony of body and soul.

Finally...

Yoga is a philosophy of Ancient India, which is very popular in the modern world. However, this is not entirely philosophy, or rather, not only it. It is also science, religion, centuries-old tradition and practice. Why is modern man so attracted to the philosophy of yoga?

This question can be briefly answered with two main theses. First: yoga helps a person cope with the enormous pressure of cruel reality. Second: it is capable of opening the way for each of us to know ourselves, our inner essence.

The history of yoga goes back more than 5,000 years. Its integrated system includes religion, philosophy, medicine, historical traditions and many other aspects. It is easy for a beginner to get lost in the vast yogic practice, ancient varieties and modern trends, so this article provides a brief overview of the system and its rich traditions.

History of Yoga

The earliest archaeological evidence of yoga can be found in stone seals depicting yoga poses. The seals found date back to 3000 BC. e. Scientists believe that the system existed earlier: they attribute its beginning to Stone Age shamanism.

Both movements have the same features - they are aimed at healing members of the community and require people to observe certain rules for organizing life. The history of yoga is divided into four periods: Vedic, pre-classical, classical and post-classical periods.

The Vedic period is marked by the emergence of the Vedas - the sacred scripture about Brahmanism, the basis of modern Hinduism. The Vedas are the oldest of the Vedic teachings: it is often called Vedic yoga. The basic principle of this teaching is Rishi, a philosophical system that teaches to live in divine harmony and see the ultimate reality through intense spiritual practice.

Pre-classical yoga is the 200 Upanishad scriptures that describe and explain the teachings of the Vedas through three main subjects: ultimate reality (brahman), the transitory Self (atman) and the relationship between them. At this stage, the teaching becomes closely related to Buddhism. The importance of meditation and the practice of physical postures (asanas) is reinforced here.
The creation of the Bhagavad Gita, or Song of the Lord (about 500 BC) dates back to this stage. This treatise gives rise to a new movement in yoga. It becomes an attempt to combine bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and karma yoga into the doctrine that a living person should be active, and his actions should have a good practical orientation and resist evil.

The classical period is marked by the creation of Patanjali in the 1st–2nd centuries AD. e. - this is the “Yoga Sutra”: it is an attempt to combine the accumulated spiritual experience and improve it. The Yoga Sutra consists of 195 aphorisms, or sutras, which set out its fundamental 8 principles: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.

Did you know?The origins of yoga are the subject of much debate. There is no consensus regarding the chronology or origins, other than that it developed in Ancient India. The chronology of the earliest texts describing the practice of yoga is also unclear.

The era of classical yoga lasted several centuries. It was replaced by the trends of the post-classical period of development. Unlike previous stages, modern yogic practice does not seek to free a person from reality; rather, it teaches one to accept reality and live in the moment. The works of guru Swami Sivananda are characteristic of our time. His main work describes 5 modified principles of yoga:

• Savasana - proper relaxation;
• Asana is proper physical exercise;
• Pranayama - correct breathing;
• Proper diet;
• Dhyana - positive thinking and meditation.

Yoga philosophy

Yoga is a dualistic philosophy. It examines the interaction of two main objects: purusha - pure consciousness, and prakriti - matter. Each creature is a manifestation of one of the forms of connection between these objects. A living being combines body and mind. If a person lives in accordance with ethical principles, then this leads him to moksha, spiritual liberation.
The philosophy of yoga is perfectly conveyed by the parable of divinity. Brahma, having created the first people, made them equal to the gods. But people used his power incorrectly: they were not righteous and honest. Brahma took away their divinity and thought for a long time about where to hide it so that only those who have pure thoughts and high moral qualities could reach it. Therefore, he hid divinity within man and gave him yoga as the path to it.

It is a set of practices and principles that lead a person to attain divinity. In the classical system there are 8 of these principles, in the post-classical system - 5. This can be interpreted as follows: the main goal is to achieve the liberation of consciousness, and how many steps lead to it is not so important.
Some people think that yoga is a religion, but it is not. It is used by representatives of different religions. Rather, these are methods of working on one’s own spirituality, improving the physical body and mind. It also cannot be said that these are exercises aimed at improving health. The philosophy of the teaching considers the harmonization of body, mind and spirituality and proposes to improve them in a complex.

In philosophy, the following properties are distinguished:

• ethics - achieving peace and harmony between people;
• emotionality - positive thinking and affection for others;
• practicality - control of the physical body;
• intelligence - control of the mind;
• spirituality - liberation from passions and achieving harmony of spirit.

Did you know?The best time to practice yoga is dawn. It is at this time that life energy carries maximum healing power. It is also believed that hand positions (mudras) affect the intensity of the flow of vital energy.

Eight Stages of Achievement

Classical Yoga Sutra Patajali is based on an 8-step path to reunite man with divinity:

1. Yama is the basic initial stage at which a yogi must develop ethical values ​​and learn to take into account social restrictions without negative reactions.
2. Niyama is the second stage at which a person learns to be happy, immerse himself in positive thinking and remain in it.
3. Asana is the third stage, developing the physical body.
4. Pranayama is the stage at which control or methods of controlling breathing are mastered.
5. Pratyahara is the achievement of a state of bliss, regardless of the correct posture and breathing technique; this is the final merging of Asana and Pranayama with a person going beyond the organs of perception.
6. Dharana is a stage characterized by meditation without thoughts.
7. Dhyana is deep meditation, merging with the spirit.
8. Samadhi is the inner awakening of the true essence.

Video: classical yoga sutra of Patajali The stages follow in a certain sequence. Having mastered one, a person can move on to the next, not forgetting that he continues to follow the learned principles of each previous stage. Mastering this stage, a person harmonizes the physical and spiritual principles, learns to concentrate, achieve complete peace and unity with divinity.

Types of yoga

Ancient yogis believed that in order to be in harmony with oneself, a person's body, mind and spirit must be in harmony with the environment. Various types of yoga have been formulated and refined as a means of achieving and maintaining this balance. Human improvement occurs through special exercises.
We will consider the main directions of yoga below. There are also other directions. Some of them are very ancient, others have just begun to develop at the present time.

Did you know?Doga is a form of yoga that originated in New York in 2002. Her goal is to achieve harmony with her pets. As part of the course, dogs can perform exercises independently or be props for their owners’ asanas. Susie Teitelman's project was originally called Yoga for Dogs.

Raja Yoga

Synonymous names for classical yoga: yoga sutra, eight-step yoga, yoga of self-control. Its founder is the sage Patanjali (1st century BC), legends speak of his divine origin. The teaching is based on the comprehension of 8 principles that were set out by Patanjali in his work - “Yoga Sutra”.

Mastering each stage is the improvement of one of the components of the personality, as a result of which the amount of energy available to a person increases. Raja Yogi considers himself to be the main one in the system of the world and therefore improves; his destiny is to be his own master. Raja yoga teaches a person discipline and maintaining purity in everything: body, mind, spirit.

Video: Raja Yoga

Jnana Yoga

Or the yoga of the mind is the path on which the mind, the human intellect, is improved. It leads a person along the path of self-improvement through changing his knowledge about the world and himself. Jnana yoga is based on the postulate that wrong or “evil” actions are committed out of ignorance. Conquering ignorance, a person moves on the path to divine knowledge. A jnana yogi, using teaching as a method, himself cognizes the world through meditation and a sense of truth.

Video: Jnana yoga

Karma yoga

Or service yoga believes that where you are now and your condition is the result of previous actions. And your task in the present is to correctly perform the tasks assigned to you, without worrying about the result. The principles of the teaching are set out in the Indian epic - the Mahabharata, in the form of a conversation between Prince Arjuna and Krishna, who is in the guise of Arjuna's charioteer.

Video: Karma Yoga

Did you know?There are currently more than 100 different schools of yoga. Although each school has different practices, they have a common goal: a state of pure bliss and oneness with the Universe.

Bhakti

Or yoga of devotion is a path aimed at developing love for God through service. This is the path most often followed in India. Bhakti is represented by many movements, both monotheistic and pantheistic. Bhakti yogis worship Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, the limitless absolute (Brahman), and other deities.

This is the oldest doctrine about the effect of sound on the human body, as well as his mind and intellect. In this case, it is not just any sound that has an effect, but a special one - a mantra. This could be a sound combination considered sacred, a prayer, etc. If practiced long enough, mantra yoga is believed to lead to the erasing of old karma.

Tantra yoga, or ritual yoga, is the performance of sacred rituals. For example, walking around Mount Kailash, sacred to Buddhists, is considered to free a person from all his sins. The journey lasts several days, during which the traveler is immersed in union with the deity.
This type of yoga gets its name from the sacred texts - tantras, which set out the dialogues of Shiva and his wife Shakti. Tantric yoga is associated with the cult of Shakti. Sex is also part of Tantra Yoga, but it is not the main thing, since this path is about finding what is sacred in everything we do.

Or yoga poses are the most popular type of teaching among Westerners. She uses physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation to improve health and spirituality. The path is characterized by many styles - Iyengar, Integral, Ashtanga and others.

Did you know?Hatha yoga is the teaching that has become most widespread in Western culture. "Ha" means the sun and "tha" means the moon. This is the union of two elemental forces of nature.

Asanas for beginners

Patanjali describes the asana as a free pose. It can be assumed that at the very beginning it was just about comfortable poses for meditation. heal the body and prepare it for meditation. It is also worth remembering that classical yoga considers it useful and works only in the form of a complex system, and without observing the basic principles of Yama and Niyama, asanas will become simply interesting fitness.
To practice, you will need a comfortable mat and a small quiet place. Clothing should be comfortable and elastic, not interfering with the exercise. You can remain barefoot, wear socks or soft shoes. The lesson should be carried out at least 1–1.5 hours after eating.

Important!15 minutes before starting yoga classes, it is recommended to drink a glass of warm water and cleanse the nasopharynx. The purpose of these actions is to cleanse the channels through which vital energy moves along with breathing.

Morning is the best time to perform asanas, and evening is the best time for meditation. Start with simple exercises, do not strain: asanas imply a state of comfort when performing. The exercises do not have to be long, but they must be done daily for at least 15 minutes a day. Each exercise can be performed up to 3 times.
The sequence of exercises will usually be like this:

1. Warm-up asanas - 2–3 minutes; These exercises warm up the shoulder muscles, spine, hips, lower back and groin.
2. “Racks” are necessary to align posture and legs; performed to improve digestion and blood circulation.
3. “Seated poses” allow you to practice proper breathing and prana.
4. Bending exercises to relieve joint tension; They relieve back pain, facilitate the circulation of blood and nutrients in the body.
5. Inverted and balanced asanas are exercises to develop coordination, increase endurance and strength, and improve concentration.
6. Finishing asanas.

While doing the exercise, try to focus on each movement. There is no need to strain to perform the action. While performing asanas, breathe slowly and deeply. Focus on your inner sensations.

Important!If an exercise causes pain, remove it from your program. Asanas are not an endurance competition, but an opportunity to improve stretching and muscle condition. If you have contraindications for yoga, then discuss with your doctor the possibility of performing the set of exercises you have planned.

Warm-up asanas- this is a few minutes of meditation and concentration in a comfortable sitting or lying position.

• Savasana (corpse pose)- classic relaxation pose. Performed with eyes closed. Starting position - lying on the mat, arms slightly apart to the sides, palms up. The spine completely touches the surface of the mat. Bend your knees and straighten them slowly, gradually relaxing the muscles, starting from the buttocks. You should not be disturbed by bright lights or loud sounds. Breathe through your nose. Duration of execution - 5–10 minutes. The pose is practiced before or between asanas, as well as for final relaxation.

Video: technique for performing Savasana (corpse pose) To enhance the effect, combine Savasana with proper breathing. Imagine that with the exhalation, heaviness and stress leave the body, and as you inhale, renewed energy (Prana) enters. It moves across the face, then fills the back of the head, neck and reaches a point 2 cm below the navel. This point is considered the center of the energy channels through which it will spread in the body.

You also need to exit Savasana correctly: first move your fingers, slowly turn onto your side and go into the fetal position. Now stand up smoothly. This is the best pose for relieving psychological stress.

• Sukhasana- This is a classic sitting pose (“sitting cross-legged”). The pose helps in straightening the spine, slowing down metabolism, and increasing inner peace. To perform this you will need a small pillow - sit so that your pelvis is on its edge. Interlace your legs, first bending your knees. The feet should be under the knees. Your shins should be crossed. Slowly relax your feet, then your groin area and lower your knees. Stand tall, straighten your shoulders, straightening your spine. Place your palms on your thighs. The fingers are in a relaxed state. The chest should also expand. Stay in this pose for several breaths. Imagine that as you inhale, the flow of energy goes down, and as you exhale it rushes up.

Video: technique of performing Sukhasana (sitting cross-legged pose) Basic poses- these are asanas that are used to move from one exercise to another:

• Tadasana (mountain pose)- basic standing pose. It helps relax the back muscles and reduce stress on the spine. Tadasana is desirable for anyone who works a lot while sitting. The starting position is to stand straight. Close your legs and distribute your weight evenly. Begin to slowly straighten your spine, starting from your feet and gradually working your way up. Straighten your arms and take a deep breath. The pose is a transitional pose between two other asanas, as well as a basic one, from which you move on to perform another exercise, which is done while standing;

  Video: technique of performing Tadasana (mountain pose)

• Bhujangasana or cobra pose is an asana that is practiced for poor posture, stooping, back pain and disorders of the spine. The pose strengthens the back and develops the lungs. Starting position - lying face down. Legs straightened. The arms are bent at the elbows in front of the head. As you inhale, begin to raise your head and, aligning your spine, lift your body. Hold this position. As you exhale, return to the starting position.

  Video: technique for performing Bhujangasana (cobra pose)

• Utkasana (chair pose)- one of the easiest balancing poses. Performed from Tadasana. You need to raise your arms above your head and grab the invisible handrails. Take a deep breath and begin to sit down on an invisible chair. The hips and body should form a right angle. Execution time - 40 seconds. The pose strengthens the muscles of the pelvis and legs, aligns the spine, and develops balance.

  Video: technique for performing Utkasana (chair pose)

Surya Namaskar is alternate bending, bending and straightening of the spine. The complex provides deep treatment of all joints and tendons. Its advantage is that the complex was mentioned in Vedic literature, and its current state is the result, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed by thousands of years of practice.

Important!Research by scientists at the University of York has shown that yoga reduces the physical and psychological symptoms of chronic pain in women with fibromyalgia.

Philosophical teachings of Ancient India

Indian philosophy is one of the oldest on the continent. All philosophical schools or movements are divided according to the principle of their relationship to the Vedas. The orthodox are characterized by recognition of the Vedas - here they are considered a source of knowledge. This group includes Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa and Vedanta.

Heterodox people do not recognize the Vedas as the exclusive source of knowledge. These include Jain, Buddhism, Ajivika, Ajna and Karvakas. The main currents were formed around 1000 BC. e.
The Vaisheshika school (Sanskrit: "specialness, difference") attempts to identify, inventory and classify the entities and their relationships that appear to human perception. The goal of Vaisheshika is the liberation of the individual “I”.

Ignorance creates problems and evil, and reducing this ignorance leads to right actions, harmonization of relations between people, deity and nature. Therefore, liberation from ignorance leads to liberation from suffering.

Nyaya (Sanskrit “law”) is a religious and at the same time philosophical system. She studies the conditions and means of understanding reality. Here they believe that reality does not depend on consciousness, which cannot always perceive it. Compiled by the sage Gautama (Gotama) in the 3rd–4th century AD. e. The principles of this philosophy were used in the construction of other philosophical systems.

This system recognizes the existence of a creator god. God is the root cause of everything in the world. Nyaya considers and studies ways of knowing reality, means of knowledge, conditions under which knowledge occurs and its sources.
Sankhya is one of the most influential directions. Founded around 600 BC. e. The purpose of the teaching is to understand reality through cause-and-effect relationships. The Sankhya school assumes the existence of two bodies - a temporary body and a body of “subtle” matter, which persists after biological death.

When a temporary body dies, the subtle one migrates to another temporary body. It consists of higher functions - buddhi ("consciousness"), ahamkara ("I-consciousness"), manas ("mind") and prana ("breath", the principle of vitality). This doctrine substantiates the existence of a world without divine intervention.

Did you know?Ancient yogis believed that a person has a limited number of breaths. Therefore, they recommended inhaling and exhaling slowly to prolong life.

Yoga (Sanskrit "Yuking" or "Union") is one of the six systems (darshan) of Indian philosophy. Its influence has always been widespread among many other schools of Indian thought. The basis of yogic teaching is the yoga sutras of Patanjali.

In the modern world, the practical aspects of the system are especially popular and in demand, much more than its intellectual content, based on Sankhya philosophy. The difference between these systems is that yoga presupposes the presence of a deity, to which the spirit (purusha) must strive, freed from the slavery of matter (prakriti), through the eradication of ignorance and illusions.
The purpose of Mimamsa is to interpret the Vedas or rather to give rules for their interpretation. Mimamsa studies the various parts and periods of writing of the Vedas. The earliest work of this philosophical school is the Mimamsa Sutra, compiled by the sage Jamini in the 4th century BC. e. Mimamsa develops the doctrine of knowledge and its five sources, following through reasoning and critical research.

Vedanta originally belonged to the Vedic period of development of philosophical thought. The literal meaning of this term is “the completion of the Vedas.” During the Middle Ages, Vedanta merged with the Mimamsa movement.

Jainism is one of the three oldest Indian religious traditions that still exist. The name of the teaching comes from the Sanskrit verb "ji" - "to conquer", and refers to the battle that a monk must wage against passions in order to gain enlightenment.
Buddhism is a religious and philosophical system that developed from the teachings of the Buddha between the mid-6th and mid-4th centuries. BC e. Despite the fact that Buddhism is one of the main world religions of our time, the term itself originated in Europe in the 19th century.

Did you know?According to legend, Shiva knows 8,000,000 asanas, but only 84 of them are available to people. Modern sports medicine experts estimate that, taking into account all the muscles and joints in the body, people can perform more than 78,000 exercises.

The followers of this religion call their teaching Dharma (Sanskrit “law”). Buddhists believe that the world is not created or controlled by anyone. There is no belief in karma, the immortality of the soul, or even a religious organization.

Yoga as medicine

Being a combination of theory and practice about controlling the body and mind, yoga has created a unique therapeutic direction. The combination of physical postures (asanas) and breathing practices (pranayama) has been used in India for more than 5,000 years.

The US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has proposed the use of yogic practices as one of the alternative types of treatment. Various types of alternative medicine, including yoga, have gained recognition internationally.

Thus, the World Health Organization has developed a new international classification of diseases (ICD-11), in which a special section has been created for alternative treatment methods.

Basic yoga poses are an excellent means of preventing mental disorders, stress, and depression. The first stage of classical yoga, Yama, teaches you to perceive the events of reality without negativity and maintain purity of spirit and body. And the second stage, Niyama, teaches you to fill the consciousness cleared of negativity with positive thinking and joy.
Stress causes disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system and functional disorders. A person who practices yoga has a higher resistance to stress and positive thinking, which means he is less susceptible to illness.

Many people lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend a lot of time at the computer. This contributes to disturbances in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Asanas help relieve tension in the back muscles, straighten posture, improve endurance, eliminate pain and relieve inflammation. In combination with breathing practice and pranayama, they help to return to good physical shape.

A healthy diet combined with asanas helps slow down the aging process and prevent the development of age-related diseases.

From the point of view of therapeutic effect, asanas can affect:

• muscle groups, ligaments and bones - mechanical type of impact;
• psycho-emotional state of a person - a stressful type of impact;
• psychosomatic;
• internal organs - humoral type of influence;
• hormonal levels;
• energy level;
• stressful.

The classification of asanas from the point of view of therapeutic effect is presented in the table:

Philosophers who practice yoga

The founder of yoga is an ancient sage, philosopher and ascetic. As in many similar cases, the exact facts of his biography do not exist, so neither the date of birth nor the circumstances of his life can be accurately named. The main work is the Yoga Sutra, consisting of 195 sutras. Yoga probably existed before Patanjali, but it was he who summarized the existing knowledge, systematized and improved it.
No less famous ancient yogic sage - Swami Swatmarama. He is the author of the most ancient treatise on hatha yoga - “Hatha Yoga Pradipika”. This manual describes the use of Shatkarma, Asana, Pranayama, Mudras and Bandhas and their practical application for awakening Kundalini.

Over the past 100–150 years, the number of practicing yogis has become quite large, and along with them, attention to ancient wisdom and its reinterpretation has increased.

Did you know?Yoga was included in UNESCO's list of cultural heritage of humanity in 2016.

Among the yogis and sages of the 19th–20th centuries and their works, the most important are described in the table:

Yoga is the most popular ancient teaching of all that has practical application. Its popularity is due to the depth of the issues addressed and the ability to change and improve one’s own life with the help of this unique teaching. Yoga helps people find themselves, their path, their essence and, of course, cope with the perception of reality.