Time Travel With Yoga

The history of Yoga is always debated over. It is generally believed that Yoga is as old as civilization itself. Though there is no physical evidence to support this claim. Some believe it to be as old as 3000 B.C. Scholars have reason to believe that it is much older than this. The image of Yoga asanas were traced in on the stones, hence, ascribing it to Stone Age. Earliest archaeological evidence of Yoga’s existence could be found in stone seals which depict figures of Yoga Poses. The stone seals place Yoga’s existence around 3000 B.C. Others have the argument that Yoga was traced back in 10,000 B.C.

We might already have an idea of what Yoga is but to understand it better, we have to know what it has become as well as its roots and beginnings. The Teacher Training program at Yogalife, provides an opportunity to dive deeper into the sands of time and explore the mystic yoga. A quick look at the history of Yoga will help us appreciate its rich tradition and who knows, it might help us incorporate Yoga into our lives.

Scholars, however, have a reason to believe that Yoga existed long before that and traced its beginnings in Stone Age Shamanism. Both Shamanism and Yoga have similar characteristics particularly in their efforts to improve the human condition at that time. Also, they aim to heal community members and the practitioners act as religious mediators. Though we know Yoga as focusing more on the self, it started out as community-oriented before it turned inward. The Yoga Course in India by Yogalife, will not only help bind the essentials of oneness but also inculcate the cultural prowess of Indian Traditions.

Teachings of Bhagwad Gita

Bhagwad Gita we all know is the holy book for the Hindus. It lays the guidelines of karma that we need to accomplish in our lifetime. The Gita is a doctrine of universal truth. Its message is universal, sublime, and non-sectarian although it is a part of the scriptural trinity of Sanaatan Dharm, commonly known as Hinduism.The Gita is very easy to understand in any language for a mature mind. A repeated reading with faith will reveal all the sublime ideas contained in it. A few abstruse statements are interspersed (broken) here and there, but they have no direct bearing on practical issues or the central theme of Gita. The Gita deals with the most sacred metaphysical science. It imparts the knowledge of the Self and answers two universal questions: Who am I, and how can I lead a happy and peaceful life in this world of dualities. It is a book of yog, the moral and spiritual growth for mankind based on the cardinal principles of Hindu religion.

The message of Bhagwad Gita came to humanity due to unwillingness of Arjun to perform his duties when he was in war with the Kauravas. Lord Krishna bestowed the supreme knowledge of the cycle of life and death onto him, enabling him realize that we as a human being have to continue evolving in our own way but for this we cannot wash-off the responsibilities from our shoulders. Arjun’s dilemma is in fact the universal dilemma.

The central teaching of Bhagwad Gita is attainment of freedom from happiness and sorrow of life. The ultimate of every soul should be to come over this cycle that afflicts us in our day-to-day life and freeing ourselves from the bondage of life. Always remember the glory and greatness of the creator, and do your duty efficiently without being attached to or affected by the results, even if that duty may at times demand unavoidable violence. Some people neglect or give up their duty in life for the sake of a spiritual life while others excuse themselves from spiritual practices because they believe that they have no time.

The lord’s message is to sanctify the entire living process itself. Whatever a person does or thinks ought to be done for the glory and satisfaction of the Maker. No effort or cost is necessary for this process. Do your duty as service of the Lord and humanity and see God alone in everything in a spiritual frame of mind. In order to gain such a spiritual frame of mind, personal discipline, austerity, penance, good conduct, selfless service, yogic practices, meditation, worship, prayers, rituals, and study of scriptures, as well as the company of the holy persons, pilgrimage, chanting of the holy names of God, and Self-inquiry are needed to purify the body, mind and intellect.

One must learn to give up lust, anger, greed, and establish mastery over the six senses ( hearing, touch, sight, taste, smell, and mind) by the purified intellect. One should always remember that all works are done by the energy of nature and that He or she is not the doer but only an instrument. One must strive for excellence in all undertakings but remain calm in success and failure, gain and loss, and pain and pleasure.