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Yogic Tradition
 Yoga
is an ancient and complete humanistic spiritual science which evolved
with the Saraswati, Kaveri, Narmada, Godawari and Gangetic civilizations
in India, through thousands of years of study and inner experience. Today
people practice yoga for bodily health, mental concentration, tranquillity
and spiritual experience. There are a variety of yogic paths to suit different
human needs and temperaments all of which assist in the liberation of
human potential and creativity. Understandably, many of the paths interact
and flow into each other and, individually or combined, they are tools
designed to help us become caring and considerate, loving and compassionate
human beings.
Traditionally the word yoga is defined as the union or integration
of individual with universal consciousness. On a practical level, it is
a way to balance and harmonise the body, mind and emotions. This is achieved
by practising asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing
practices), mudra and bandha (psycho-physiological energy
release techniques), shatkarma (internal cleansing practices) and
a wide variety of meditation techniques. Through yoga the limitations
of life can be transcended; greater skills and efficiency in action can
be attained which results in the expression of higher levels of creativity
and positivity in life.
Yoga is a theme which was deeply studied and practised by past civilizations.
As the world changed, the yogic tradition was maintained in India by seers
and sannyasins who had dedicated their lives to preserve the ancient wisdom
for posterity. Therefore the teaching of yoga now emanates from sannyasins
and ashrams, and encourages master/aspirant (guru/disciple) relationship
to experience the spirit of yoga.
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