Yoga sutra
The history of yoga goes back five millennia. This physical, psycho-emotional and spiritual practice born in India was originally based on texts called yogas sutras .
Before becoming westernized, yoga was essentially based on texts in Sanskrit: yogas sutras.
- They were written by Patanjali who wrote them around 200 BC.
- Yoga sutras are a collection of sentences or short statements, also called aphorisms.
These 195 aphorisms have an inspiring and philosophical scope and are at the base:
- of yoga,
- and more widely of all Indian philosophy.
The currents that are probably inspired by this are:
- the Iyengar Yoga
- the yoga of Energy.
Their primary goal is to achieve purification of the mind.
The 4 chapters of yoga sutras
The 195 aphorisms are divided into 4 chapters:
- the first chapter deals particularly with concentration,
- the 2nd chapter deals with spiritual practice,
- the third chapter deals with yoga techniques to achieve higher states of consciousness,
- the fourth chapter deals with a state called liberation: it is the ultimate stage which is the goal of yoga.
This last stage is attained with patience and above all a diligent and rigorous practice: so do not expect to reach it at the first yoga classes.
Yogas sutras: the 5 founding principles of yoga
5 great principles flow from yogas sutras. If they are observed in practice, these principles bring the practitioner to a global harmony:
YOGA SUTRAS: THE PRINCIPLES OF YOGA
Principles
The choice of exercise.
- The exercise must be appropriate.
- There is no question of mistreating your body by improperly exercising or exercising contraindicated to our state of health.
The correct breathing.
- Breathing has a primary place in yoga.
- Each movement is punctuated by breathing.
- Doing an exercise without knowing how to breathe correctly would not help.
The correct relaxation.
- The exercise practiced with proper breathing must also be done with the correct presence of the practitioner.
- The thought should not wander during practice.
- This brings a certain concentration on the present moment, but at the same time the mental emptiness of all that does not concern present action and relaxation.
Power.
- Less common in the West, this principle is however essential in the yoga of India.
- Also include the concept of vegetarianism and a healthy diet for the good health of the body.
- This principle is also found in Ayurveda.
Concentration / meditation.
This principle is both related to mind and spirituality.
