Introduction to Yog

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” - French philosopher Blaise Pascal.

What is Yog?

According to Maharishi Patanjali in the Yog Darshan Shastra (Yog Sutras) :

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥१.२॥

Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff(Chitta) from taking various forms(Vrittis).

The attainment of stillness of mind, to make it free of all thoughts and activities is called Yog.

Mind - is the subjective state of consciousness.

Brain - is the physical entity where mind operates

Neuroscience includes the understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system.

Psychology includes the knowledge of mental processes.

Psychiatry includes the knowledge of diseases and the neurochemicals that are involved.

Yog, indulges one to the complete stillness of mind. In midst of life, which is inevitably full of learnings, struggles and varied emotions, a Yogi is able to :

1. Keep her brain - and rest of the central and peripheral nervous system in good shape.

2. Keep his neurochemicals regulated to beneficial levels avoiding diseases.

3. Keep her thoughts(vrittis) to the ones that only and only benefit herself.

Thus, Yog involves these three legs of science. It is actually the act of regulating the thoughts, neurochemicals and physical structure of the nervous system. Every other cell of the body just follows the state of mind.

What is the impact of practicing Yog?

• Optimal cognition (Vignanmay kosh).

• Optimal performance (Pranmay + Annamay kosh).

• Optimal physical health (Annamay kosh).

• Optimal emotional health (Manomay kosh).

• Optimal mental health (Vignanmay + Manomay kosh).

• Optimal social health (Pranmay + Manomay kosh).

• Optimal spiritual health (Anandmay kosh).

and avoidance of diseases.

Note: Kosh is a sheath or layer that a soul wears. Taitiriya Upanishad details the same explaining the 5 layers that a soul has. Balancing all these layers : from the most physical layer - annamay kosh ( everything we can see touch and feel in our body) to the most subtle layer - anandmay kosh ( which is the bliss that we possess deep within or seek constantly) - is Yog.