Yoga

Yoga is a verb and a noun. Yoga is process, specifically the process of linking one self with the Supreme (Baghavad-Gita). Yoga is also the name for various Eastern spiritual schools designed to teach an individual how to Connect with Consciousness. Yoga (i.e., authentically working towards Connection) is the Authentic Core of Authentic Spirituality. The goal of Yoga/Connection practice is Connection with Consciousness and Realization of Divine Self.

Concepts

Hatha Yoga conceives of the Physical Unit as composed of five koshas (Sanskrit कोश, lit. pocket), these being

annamaya (Sanskrit अन्नमय, lit. filled with food) -> physical body

manomaya kosha (Sanskrit मनोमय, lit filled with ideas) -> mind body

pranamaya kosha (Sanskrit , lit ) -> energy body

vijnanamaya kosha (Sanskrit, lit ) -> Consciousness

anandamaya kosha - Bliss arising out of Realization (Saraswati, 2017)

Notes

There are many "schools" of yoga. Each of these schools is focused on the same end goal (i.e. Connection), but each have different emphasis. Schools include:

Hatha Yoga : From annamaya to pranamaya to manomaya

Raja Yoga : From manomaya to vijnanamaya

Kriya Yoga : From vijnanamaya to anandamaya.

BHGVG 6.3 explains the path of yoga as a ladder that starts at the "lowest material condition" and ascends up to perfect Self-Realization. According to the BHGVG there are three steps on the ladder, these being Jnana Yoga, Dhyana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga. The first step on the ladder is termed the Yogaruruksu while the highest rung is known as Yogarudha (BHGVG).

According to BHGVG 6.3 the ārurukṣoḥyogic (yogic newbie) begins with Karmic Work while the individual who has attained tasyaiva (his certainty, i.e. an individual totally identified and convinced of his/her unity of, and identity with, Atman). Such an individual has necessarily given up worldly/venal activities and is devoted exclusively to the service of Consciousness.

Further Reading

Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda. "Introducing Hatha Yoga." Yoga 2017: 15-17. (http://www.biharyoga.net/bihar-school-of-yoga/jan-2017/)

References

Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Bhaktivedanta VedaBase. http://www.vedabase.com/en/bg/ http://www.vedabase.net/bg/6/3/en Verse 6.3