Yoga & Meditation

(Sanskrit, Pāli: yóga) refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines
originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices
in Buddhism and Hinduism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the
six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal
toward which that school directs its practices. In Jainism it refers to
the sum total of all activities—mental, verbal and physical.
Major branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga,
Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga.
Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known
simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the
Samkhya tradition. Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of
yoga, including Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.
The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings, and is derived from the
Sanskrit root yuj, meaning "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite".
Translations include "joining", "uniting", "union", "conjunction",
and "means". Outside India, the term yoga is typically associated
with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) or as a form of exercise.
Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy
is called a Yogi.

See Category:
Yoga & Meditation