key insights on yoga and pranayama (1/4)

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
— The Bhagavad Gita

“Yoga is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul.”
— Amit Ray

Here are some key insights on the subject of yoga and pranayama that’ll inspire you to develop and/or continue your own practice with utmost dedication and enthusiasm:

On yoga

• Yoga, now widely practiced all around the world, is not a religion but a way of living that promotes a balanced development of the body, mind, and spirit.
• Unlike other physical exercises that focus primarily on physical well-being, yoga takes a comprehensive approach and helps in our spiritual development as well. 
• The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ which means to connect, join or balance. Yoga is generally defined as union: a union between the limited self and the Divine Self.
• The ultimate goal of yoga is to help us realize our identity with the Divine Self and attain enlightenment. It makes us aware of our intrinsic nature and helps us get in tune with it. 
• “A person is said to have achieved yoga, the union with the Self, when the perfectly disciplined mind gets freedom from all desires, and becomes absorbed in the Self alone.” — The Bhagavad Gita
• “Yoga essentially means finding the keys to the nature of the existence.” — Sadhguru
• Yoga is a practice that elevates the life force within. It helps us feel energized and rejuvenated and bestows upon us the power to have better control over our body and our mind. 
• Yoga helps us attain personal expansion through a series of comprehensive physical and mental exercises comprising of various body postures or ‘asanas,’ breathing exercises or ‘pranayama,’ and meditation or ‘dhyana.’ These exercises help recharge our body, mind, and soul.
• Yoga assists in reducing stress and tension in the body by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It also helps in removing any negative blocks from the mind and getting rid of toxins that accumulate in the body. As a direct result of these benefits, yoga keeps us away from premature aging as well.  
• “Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world, and the nature.” — Narendra Modi