The
Upanisads thought to have been written between the eight and
fourth centuries B.C provides the earliest complete narrative
of the principles and goals of yoga. Since Upanishads constitute
the end of Spiritual wisdom they are also called as Vedanta.
In the Vedantas, the practice of sacrificing animals and conducting
ceremonies in order to appease the gods was replaced by the
understanding that man can achieve union with God by the means
of inner sacrifice. The inner sacrifice meant leading a life
of restraint, moral culture and training of the mind.
Yoga is
loosely translated as "ordinary being achieving union
with the Supreme Being". The follower of yoga is called
a yogi. The practitioners who have made considerable progress
in yoga are called "yogin (male)" or yogini (female)".
There
are many types of yoga, but basis of most of the forms is
concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana). The yoga
text describes them as being interconnected; continuous single
pointed concentration gradually leads to meditation, through
which one's inner self expands and merges with something vast.
The tradition
of yoga incorporates the beliefs and techniques of yoga with
the practical experience. Many gurus have written on the subject,
shedding meaning onto the ancient yoga texts. Also a guru
can open an institution of yoga through which he can teach
yoga the way he wants it. Many artists have derived their
inspirations for art, poetry, dance and music from yoga. The
students who become associated with a particular yogic institution
follow common practices, such as the mantras (chants) and
studying sacred texts. The difference between the various
schools teaching yoga may always be the way of approach to
the various types of yoga.
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