Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Sanskrit]], [[literally]], yoking, from ''yunakti'' he yokes; akin to [[Latin]] jungere to join — more at [[yoke]]

[[Sanskrit]], [[literally]], yoking, from ''yunakti'' he yokes; akin to [[Latin]] jungere to join — more at [[yoke]]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1820]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century 1820]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1: a Hindu theistic [[philosophy]] teaching the suppression of all activity of [[body]], [[mind]], and will in order that the [[self]] may realize its [[distinction]] from them and [[attain]] [[liberation]]

*1: a Hindu theistic [[philosophy]] teaching the suppression of all activity of [[body]], [[mind]], and will in order that the [[self]] may realize its [[distinction]] from them and [[attain]] [[liberation]]

*2: a [[system]] of [[exercises]] for attaining bodily or mental [[control]] and well-being  

*2: a [[system]] of [[exercises]] for attaining bodily or mental [[control]] and well-being  

==Description==

==Description==

'''Yoga''' ([[Sanskrit]], Pāli: योग, yoga) is commonly known as a generic term for a [[physical]], [[mental]], and [[spiritual]] [[discipline]] originating in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_India ancient India] and found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Specifically, Yoga is one of the six [[orthodox]] schools in Hindu philosophy. It is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and aims to use [[meditation]] to attain spiritual [[insight]] and tranquility.

'''Yoga''' ([[Sanskrit]], Pāli: योग, yoga) is commonly known as a generic term for a [[physical]], [[mental]], and [[spiritual]] [[discipline]] originating in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_India ancient India] and found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Specifically, Yoga is one of the six [[orthodox]] schools in Hindu philosophy. It is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and aims to use [[meditation]] to attain spiritual [[insight]] and tranquility.

The Sanskrit word yoga has the literal meaning of "yoke", from a root yuj meaning 'to join', 'to unite', or 'to attach'. As a term for a system of abstract meditation or mental abstraction it was introduced by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pata%C3%B1jali Patañjali] in the 2nd century BC. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy with a high level of [[commitment]] is called a yogi or yogini.

The Sanskrit word yoga has the literal meaning of "yoke", from a root yuj meaning 'to join', 'to unite', or 'to attach'. As a term for a system of abstract meditation or mental abstraction it was introduced by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pata%C3%B1jali Patañjali] in the 2nd century BC. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy with a high level of [[commitment]] is called a yogi or yogini.

Within [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_philosophy Hindu philosophy], the word yoga is used to refer to one of the six orthodox (āstika) [[schools]] of Hindu philosophy. Yoga in this sense is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is also known as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C4%81ja_Yoga Rāja Yoga] to distinguish it from later schools. Patanjali's system is discussed and elaborated upon in many classical Hindu texts, and has also been influential in Buddhism and Jainism. The [[Bhagavad Gita]] introduces distinctions such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jnana_Yoga Jnana Yoga] ("yoga based on [[knowledge]]") vs. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_Yoga Karma Yoga] ("yoga based on [[action]]").

Within [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_philosophy Hindu philosophy], the word yoga is used to refer to one of the six orthodox (āstika) [[schools]] of Hindu philosophy. Yoga in this sense is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is also known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C4%81ja_Yoga Rāja Yoga] to distinguish it from later schools. Patanjali's system is discussed and elaborated upon in many classical Hindu texts, and has also been influential in Buddhism and Jainism. The [[Bhagavad Gita]] introduces distinctions such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jnana_Yoga Jnana Yoga] ("yoga based on [[knowledge]]") vs. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_Yoga Karma Yoga] ("yoga based on [[action]]").

In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Sanskrit Vedic Sanskrit], the term "yoga" besides its literal [[meaning]], the yoking or harnessing of oxen or horses, already has a figurative sense, where it takes the general meaning of "employment, use, application, performance" (compare the figurative uses of "to harness" as in "to put something to some use"). All further developments of the sense of this word are post-Vedic. A sense of "exertion, endeavour, zeal, [[diligence]]" is found in Epic Sanskrit.

In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_Sanskrit Vedic Sanskrit], the term "yoga" besides its literal [[meaning]], the yoking or harnessing of oxen or horses, already has a figurative sense, where it takes the general meaning of "employment, use, application, performance" (compare the figurative uses of "to harness" as in "to put something to some use"). All further developments of the sense of this word are post-Vedic. A sense of "exertion, endeavour, zeal, [[diligence]]" is found in Epic Sanskrit.

There are a great many compounds containing ''yog'' in [[Sanskrit]]. Yoga in these words takes meanings such as "[[union]], connection, contact", or "[[method]], application, performance", etc. For example, ''guṇá-yoga'' means "contact with a cord"; ''cakrá-yoga'' has a medical sense of "applying a splint or similar instrument by means of pulleys (in case of dislocation of the thigh)"; ''candrá-yoga'' has the astronomical sense of "conjunction of the moon with a constellation"; ''puṃ-yoga'' is a grammatical term expressing "connection or relation with a man", etc.

There are a great many compounds containing ''yog'' in [[Sanskrit]]. Yoga in these words takes meanings such as "[[union]], connection, contact", or "[[method]], application, performance", etc. For example, ''guṇá-yoga'' means "contact with a cord"; ''cakrá-yoga'' has a medical sense of "applying a splint or similar instrument by means of pulleys (in case of dislocation of the thigh)"; ''candrá-yoga'' has the astronomical sense of "conjunction of the moon with a constellation"; ''puṃ-yoga'' is a grammatical term expressing "connection or relation with a man", etc.

Many such compounds are also found in the wider field of [[religion]]. Thus, ''bhakti-yoga'' means "devoted attachment" in the [[monotheistic]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti_movement Bhakti] movement. The term ''kriyā-yoga'' has a grammatical sense, meaning "connection with a verb". But the same compound is also given a technical meaning in the Yoga Sutras (2.1), designating the "practical" aspects of the philosophy, i.e. the "union with the Supreme" due to performance of duties in everyday life.

Many such compounds are also found in the wider field of [[religion]]. Thus, ''bhakti-yoga'' means "devoted attachment" in the [[monotheistic]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti_movement Bhakti] movement. The term ''kriyā-yoga'' has a grammatical sense, meaning "connection with a verb". But the same compound is also given a technical meaning in the Yoga Sutras (2.1), designating the "practical" aspects of the philosophy, i.e. the "union with the Supreme" due to performance of duties in everyday life.

The aim of yoga is varied and range from improving [[health]] to achieving [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha moksha]. Within the Hindu monist schools of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advaita_Vedanta Advaita Vedanta], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaivism Shaivism] and Jainism, the aim of yoga takes the form of moksha, which is liberation from all worldly [[identification]] and the [[cycle]] of birth and death ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara samsara]), at which point there is a realization of [[identity]] with the Supreme Brahman. In the Mahabharata, the aim of yoga is variously described as entering the world of Brahma, as Brahman, or as perceiving the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman Brahman] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80tman_(Hinduism) Ātman] that pervades all things. For the bhakti schools of Vaishnavism, bhakti or service to Svayam Bhagavan itself may be the ultimate aim of the yoga process, where the aim is to enjoy an eternal relationship with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu Vishnu]. The aim of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the [[attainment]] of a state of [[perfect]] spiritual [[insight]] and tranquility through meditating on the Hindu concept of [[divinity]] or Brahman.

The aim of yoga is varied and range from improving [[health]] to achieving [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha moksha]. Within the Hindu monist schools of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advaita_Vedanta Advaita Vedanta], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaivism Shaivism] and Jainism, the aim of yoga takes the form of moksha, which is liberation from all worldly [[identification]] and the [[cycle]] of birth and death ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsara samsara]), at which point there is a realization of [[identity]] with the Supreme Brahman. In the Mahabharata, the aim of yoga is variously described as entering the world of Brahma, as Brahman, or as perceiving the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahman Brahman] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%80tman_(Hinduism) Ātman] that pervades all things. For the bhakti schools of Vaishnavism, bhakti or service to Svayam Bhagavan itself may be the ultimate aim of the yoga process, where the aim is to enjoy an eternal relationship with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu Vishnu]. The aim of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the [[attainment]] of a state of [[perfect]] spiritual [[insight]] and tranquility through meditating on the Hindu concept of [[divinity]] or Brahman.

A serious practitioner of Yoga (someone pursuing the higher spiritual and religious aims of Yoga) takes upon themselves a life of austere self-[[discipline]] common to nearly all forms of [[mystical]] and religious life. The practices at the [[foundation]] of this self-disciplined life are called in yoga [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama yama] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niyama niyama]. This self-discipline is the '[[yoke]]' that one puts upon oneself for the purpose of attaining moksha. An alternative definition is that Yoga is the method of yoking, or unifying, the "lower" (egoistic) [[personality]] (those inclinations that in Hellenistic philosophy and [[Christianity]] are called [[passions]]) to the "higher" via a [[process]] of sublimation.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga]

A serious practitioner of Yoga (someone pursuing the higher spiritual and religious aims of Yoga) takes upon themselves a life of austere self-[[discipline]] common to nearly all forms of [[mystical]] and religious life. The practices at the [[foundation]] of this self-disciplined life are called in yoga [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama yama] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niyama niyama]. This self-discipline is the '[[yoke]]' that one puts upon oneself for the purpose of attaining moksha. An alternative definition is that Yoga is the method of yoking, or unifying, the "lower" (egoistic) [[personality]] (those inclinations that in Hellenistic philosophy and [[Christianity]] are called [[passions]]) to the "higher" via a [[process]] of sublimation.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]