YOGA
Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world, encompassing in its scope, body, mind and spirit. The ancient yogis had a profound understanding of man’s essential nature and of what he needs to live in harmony with himself and his environment. They perceived the physical body as a vehicle, with the mind as the driver, the soul as man’s true identity, and action, emotion and intelligence as the three forces which pull the body-vehicle. In order to have an integral development, these three forces must be in balance. Sivananda Yoga teaches the classical method of the four paths of yoga in order for the individual to experience this state of Peace and Harmony in the body, mind and spirit. The modern Yoga approach emphasizes the physical postures while classical Yoga includes mental and overall wellbeing.Yoga means union or joining. When body-mind-spirit are in harmony the individual transcends separation and realizes one’s potential.
Yoga teach that you cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside. When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath and Yoga shows us the way to control what goes in inside.
The word “yoga” essentially means, “that which brings you to reality”. Literally, it means “union.” the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining abalanced attitude in day to day life.
"Yoga leads us from ignorance to wisdom, from weakness to strength, from disharmony to harmony, from hatred to love, from want to fullness, from limitation to infinity, from diversity to unity, from imperfection to perfection.” – Swami Sivananda in “Bliss Divine”