Yoga has experienced a massive boom in the last decade, yet this ancient art originated thousands of years ago in India. Although classes in the West usually focus on the physical asanas or postures, the true purpose of yoga was meditation in order to reach higher levels of consciousness. The yoga postures were simply a means of purifying the body in preparation for meditation.

Yoga means union. This refers to the union between the body, mind and spirit, and also between the individual consciousness and the Universal consciousness. Yoga refers to a state of union with the divine.

Yoga can be compared to trees in a forest; there are many different types of trees, but they all have the same goal of growing towards the light. The ultimate aim of yoga is also to reach enlightenment or self-realisation but there are many different ways of getting there. Following are some of the well-known yogic paths:

Karma Yoga is the yoga of action, whic teaches one to act selflessly, without thought of gain or reward. By detaching from the fruits of one's actions and offering them to a higher power, one learns to sublimate the ego.

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion. Through prayer, worship and ritual the Bhakti yogi surrenders himself to God, channeling his emotions into unconditional love or devotion. Chanting or singing the praises of God form a substantial part of Bhakti Yoga.

Jnana Yoga is the most difficult path, requiring strength of will and intellect. The Jnana Yoga practitioner uses his mind to inquire into its own nature, leading him to experience his unity with God.

Raja Yoga (royal path) is the science of physical and mental control. Raja yoga offers a comprehensive method for controlling the waves of thought by turning our mental and physical energy into spiritual energy. Raja Yoga is also called Ashtanga Yoga, referring to the eight limbs leading to absolute mental control. The chief practice of Raja Yoga is meditation, but it includes all other methods that help to control the body, energy, senses and mind (Hatha Yoga). Relaxation and other practices are used to gain control of the physical body and of the subtle life force, "Prana". When body and energy are under control, meditation comes naturally. Most yoga practised in the West is a form Hatha/Raja yoga.

THE 8 LIMBS OF ASHTANGA YOGA (ashto=8, anga= limb)

Compiled by the sage Patanjali Maharishi in the "Yoga Sutras", the 8 limbs are a progressive series of steps or disciplines to purify the body and mind, ultimately leading the yogi to enlightenment:

1. Yamas - Restraints
The yamas are divided into 5 moral injunctions aimed at destroying man's lower nature. They should be practised in word, thought and deed:
- Ahimsa - Non Violence
- Satya - Truthfulness
- Brahmacharya - Moderation in all things
- Asteya - non-stealing
- Aparigraha - lack of greed

2. Niyamas - Observances
The niyamas are also divided into 5 ethical precepts:
- Saucha - purity
- Santosha - contentment
- Tapas - discipline, austerity
- Swadhyaya - Study of the self and of the sacred yogic texts
- Ishvara pranidhana - surrender to a power greather than ourselves

3. Asana - Physical postures

4. Pranayama - Control of the life force (breath)

5. Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the senses in order to still the mind

6. Dharana - Concentration.

7. Dhyana - Meditation

8. Samadhi - Super-conscious state in which union is experienced. This is the deepest and highest state of consciousness where body and mind have been transcended and the Yogi is one with the self or God.

If all this seems confusing, the vast science of yoga can be summarized into the following 5 basic principles, which are easy to understand and include in daily life:

1. Proper exercise - our body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and discomfort will ensue with time. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner and beneficial to the body, mind and spirit.

2. Proper breathing - Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.

3. Proper relaxation - Long before the invention of cars, planes, phones, computers, freeways and other modern triggers of stress, yogis devised very powerful techniques of deep relaxation. Many modern stress-management and relaxation methods borrow heavily from this tradition. By relaxing deeply all the muscles, the yogi can thoroughly rejuvenate his nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace.

4. Proper diet - Besides being reponsible for building our physical body, the foods we eat profoundly affect our mind. For maximum body-mind efficiency and complete spiritual awareness yoga advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an integral part of the yogic lifestyle.

5. Positive thinking and meditation - Here is the most imortant point of all, we become what we think. Thus we should entertain positive and creative thoughts, as these will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind. A positive outlook on life can be developed by learning and practising the teachings of yoga philosophy. The mind can be brought under perfect control by the regular practice of meditation.