What Is Yoga?

From The Yoga of Wealth, © 2002, Durga Ma

Like many Sanskrit words, the word 'yoga' has a lengthy definition, and encompasses everything from 'union with the Divine' to 'way, manner, method, or means.'

"Yoga is the spiritual science of union with the Divine. The most prevalent use of the word yoga in our time applies to various forms of physical exercise involving postures, positions of the body and physical flexibility. The more precise term for this these exercises is asana. Asana however, represents only one facet of yoga and can be applied to the mind and the emotions as well as the physical body.

"Yoga is an experiential science and is concerned with the individual. It is not a religion. Where the western world tends toward organized religion, yoga epitomizes individuality and spirituality.

"The word yoga consists of the Sanskrit root yuj (to yoke together, to unite as one) to which is added ghan (uninterrupted, deep, complete, auspicious)...When the fluctuations of the mind cease through yoga, the union of the individual self with the blissful Cosmic One is attained."

It is not necessary to specifically take up the path of yoga in order to gain greatly through its knowledge and practice. As a spiritual science it is adaptable to all individual spiritual paths and religions. Yoga bows with respect to all.