Yoga is much more than physical exercises or a new fashion trend for health and fitness. As stated in the ancient scriptures of India, “Yoga is the science of self-realization, which integrates the physical, mental, and psychic personalities with the universal consciousness.” Therefore, it becomes necessary to understand the true origin of yoga for persons interested in Yoga Philosophy for Yoga Teachers or basic yoga definition for Yoga Teacher Training students, particularly interested in Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India, which is the homeland of yoga.
Interpreting the Word “Yoga” in Ancient Texts
The term Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word root ‘Yuj’, meaning unite, join, or merge. The classical texts describe Yoga as the integration of the personal soul (Atman) with the Supreme Soul (Paramatman). In other words, this merger is not physical but spiritual, mental, and subtle.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna defines yoga as “samatvam yoga uchyate, a state of balance and equilibrium. This definition of Lord Krishna has great significance in the ideology of yoga for yoga teachers.
Yoga in the Vedas, Upanishads
The oldest record of yoga is found in the Rig Veda, where yogic methods were linked to meditation and a life of discipline. Later, the Upanishads developed yoga as a way to attain liberation or ‘Moksha.’
Some important yogic ideas from these texts include:
- Control of breath (Pranayama
- Sensory withdrawal or Pratyahara
- Deep meditation (Dhyana
- Self-inquiry and awareness
For yoga teaching students, the above texts clearly state the form and nature of yoga as a lifetime learning process and not a momentary procedure.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: The Backbone of Classical Yoga
One of the most ancient texts, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, offers a comprehensive definition of yoga. According to Patanjali, yoga is:
- “Yogah chitta vrit
- “Yoga is the cessation of fluctuations of the mind.”
- “Jagadguru
This definition has been the cornerstone of the Yoga Teacher Training course in Rishikesh, India, as students are taught that yoga starts where the power over the body begins, that is, the control over the mind.
Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga Yoga)
“Patanjali’s Eightfold Path is the foundation of yogic wisdom for yoga instructors to follow.”
- Yama – Ethical constraints
- Niyama – Personal observance practices
- “Asana – Posture practice”
- Pranayama – Breath Control
- Pratyahara – Sense Withdrawal
- Dharana – Concentration
- Dhyana – Meditation
- Samadhi – State of blissful awareness
“Authentic yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India, provides training in all eight limbs of yoga, and it’s not only about yoga as
Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita also expresses yoga in terms of “way of life,” and various methods of yoga are stated in it:
- Karma Yoga
- Yoga of selfless action
- Bhakti Yoga – Yoga of Devotion
- Knowledge yoga or nirvikalpa-samadhi yoga
- Dhyana Yoga – Yoga of meditation
This integrative understanding is imperative for yoga instructors who want to teach students beyond physical postures.
Hatha Yoga and the Body
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika describes that the human body is an instrument for spiritual development. In fact, the purpose of hatha yoga is the harmonization of Ha (sun energy) and Tha (moon energy) and is aimed at preparing the yogi for higher states of meditation.
Schools such as Shiva Yoga Peeth notice that students undergoing Yoga Teacher Training at Rishikesh are taught that asanas are practiced to cleanse the body so that the mind can become calm.
Why Rishikesh is an Important Part of Learning Yoga
Rishikesh has long been the spiritual centre of yogis in the Himalayan range, along the Ganges River. The advantage of Yoga Teacher Training in India at Rishikesh is the authenticity that comes from learning yoga in its roots, which are embedded in ancient wisdom.
In this case, yoga is not merchandised; it is lived, practiced, and respected as an absolute science.
Shiva Yoga Peeth: Safeguarding Ancient Yogic Knowledge
“Shiva Yoga Peeth is devoted to preserving and teaching traditional yoga from ancient texts.” They cover:
- Classical yoga philosophy
- Classic Hatha and Ashtanga yoga
- Meditation and Pranayama
- Study of Yoga Sutras, Upanishads, and the Gita
It is helpful for yoga philosophy for yoga teachers since it gives a great intellectual and spiritual base, so it is suitable for serious practitioners, as well as yoga definition students, for teacher training classes.
Yoga as a way of Life, not just an Activity
“The ancient literature emphasizes time and again the fact that yoga is not something that we do on our mats. It is something which permeates all our actions connected with eating, thinking, speaking, and acting in the world. A yogi lives in a state where he or she is alert, full of loving care in
The philosophy behind yoga is a fundamental message that is conveyed within Yoga Teacher Trainings held in Rishikesh, where students are told to practice what they preach instead of teaching it to others.
Conclusion
The actual meaning of yoga has been decoded to be transformation from within and self-realization, which ranges from ignorance to wisdom, from turmoil to peace. Actual meaning of Yoga: For aspirants like yoga teachers, it is important to know its actual meaning.
Whether it’s the study of the yogic philosophies for yogic teachers or the pursuit of Yoga Teacher Training courses in Rishikesh, India, the study of Shiva Yoga Peeth guarantees that the practice of yoga stays a holy, life-transformational journey, as the ancient yogis had meant for it to be.