What is the True definition of Yoga ????

Any sadhana that connects you with God is Yoga. In the Bhagavad Gita (2nd chapter), Lord Krishna gives many definitions of Yoga.

One such definition is, "Samatvam Yoga Uchyate", which means, "Equanimity of mind is called Yoga".

Another definition is, "Yogah Karmasu Kausalam", which means, "Expertise in work is called Yoga". This means that whichever work you do, you should it perfectly, i.e., to the best of your ability.

Another definition is given in the 6th chapter (of the Bhagvad Gita), slokas - 22 and 23, as follows :-

By gaining which, there remains nothing more to gain,

and, being established in which, one is not disturbed even by heavy sorrow, that thing which eliminates all grief, is known by the name, "Yoga".

Equilibrium in completion or non completion of works is called yoga. Yoga is the specialization in working. It is the principle that if any work is done for fruit it gives bondage to the doer. But a doer is not bonded even he works for fruits when he performs works by the means of yoga (kratwapi na nibadhyate). This is the incredible.

Hence Lord Krishna gives example, does any type of work but not gets any bondage. So there is a major difference between general working and working by yoga. Mahrshi Patanjal ashtang yoga is established as yoga in the worlk and its last step is samadhi (complete inaction) while the yoga of Lord krishna is related to work and quite different .

The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yuj,

which means "to join" or "to yoke".

Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion. Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit. The continued practice of yoga will lead you to a sense of peace and well-being, and also a feeling of being at one with their environment. This is a simple definition.

Yoga means to yoke or get unified. What is to be unified with what?. If there is a lesser self, it can merge with the Higher Self. On the contrary a person in prison should think of coming out. Likewise, when and where niyoga happened. In Geetha, yoga means Dexterity in Action. Patanjali says stoppage of thoughts is Yoga. Jeevatma unified with Paramatma is yoga. Look deeply, inside. We are the periphery and looking outside. Stand in the periphery and look at the centre. When you are in the centre bereft all ideas attached to the Body Mind and Intellect, that is Yoga.

The two most important, practical and valuable texts on the Philosophy of Yoga are Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yogasutras. The Upanishads also speak of the Yoga philosophy.

Briefly, we can say that “Yoga” means “uniting, connecting, harmonising”, and this applies at three main levels:

1. harmonising the material body with the mind and the soul,

2. harmonising our own male and female energies (or the two hemispheres of the brain),

3. harmonising the individual with the universe (or atman with Brahman)

Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is a group of ancient spiritual practices originating in India. As a general term in Hinduism, Gavin Flood, the OCHS (Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies) Academic Director,[1], defines it as referring to "technologies or disciplines of asceticism and meditation which are thought to lead to spiritual experience and profound understanding or insight into the nature of existence."[2] Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga (see Yoga as exercise), although it has influenced the entire dharmic religions family and other spiritual practices throughout the world.[3]

Hindu texts discussing different aspects of yoga include the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita, and many others.[3][4]

Major branches of Yoga include: Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga. [5] [6] [7] Raja Yoga, known simply as Yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of thought, established by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Dear Aum

Can I throw some light on yoga philosophy?

I could write pages, but to put it simply, the 6th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita deals with this. The Bhagavad Gita is the most important authority on yoga philosophy & here Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of 'yoga' as 'deliverance from contact with pain & sorrow.'

It is about bringing together the mind, body & individual consciousness, in union with the universal consciousness.

The Bhagavad Gita says

"When his mind, intellect and self are under control, freed from restless desire, so that they rest in the spirit within, a man becomes a yukta - one in communion with God........ This is the real meaning of yoga - a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow."

Blessings & love.

Right now I know about doing Yoga as I see in the Astha Channel . I had read about the chakras in the body. There are 7 and when one activates all the 7 chakras then one is enlightnened. Needs great practise under the guru guidance.

To be taken as serious.

Yoga is yog of body, mind and soul......it is the point where divisions of body , mind and sould merges into a whole exisence...Yoga has never been an exercise .....however yoic lifestyle keeps your body fit and mind balanced....

As western way of life has been matter oriented , they accepted yoga as a a way to keep body healthy.....In india, where Yoga was orignated, body has been just a medium to realise the sould whitin...and yoga has been a way to reach out to the sould whitin which is universal.

Meaning to 'yoke' or union. Gosh, I don't agree that most in the west do it for exercise. You start to change once you commit yourself to the path. Clearing the nadis, freely circulating prana, going into the energetic body to heal old wounds. Working the physical body to quiet the mind. Realizing it is an endless path and that asana is not stagnant but always pulsing. Finding the subtle rather than the gross. Starting to practice with intention, bhakti, karma et al I haven't met many people who practice continually who just think it's a workout. You eventually come to a place that says it is more than that. Namaste