What is Yoga?

Early in my youth, I realized that yoga is neither a ritual nor a religion. It is an art which transforms life in a very subtle and positive way. I did not know much about yoga. But one encounter with it, in my early young age changed my approach and I wanted to embrace yoga as a part of my life. One that has persuaded me to continue to practice it at the age of 82. In middle school, I came upon a chance to see the famous yoga guru Mr. Bishtu Ghose, who mentored Mr. Manotosh Roy, the first Indian or Asian to be awarded the Mr. Universe title (in 1952). The lecture demonstration was on the power of yoga. Even today I remember two of the events performed by a young girl, named Reba Rakshit, that left a deep imprint on my young mind forever.This young girl, wearing a headband, entered the stage and lay down on a platform with a wooden plank on her chest. Soon after, an elephant walked in and stood still on her chest for quite some time and then walked off the plank. She clamly stood up and greeted us all with a smiling face. The power of breath, not muscle was what sustained the weight of an elephant standing on a girl's chest. The second event showed the intense power of concentration. Looking at the reflection of a row of balloons hanging behind her in a mirror, she systematically shot them down, one by one. I was stunned by her amazing concentration and aim. Then her mentor Mr. Bishtu Ghose said this power can be gained by practicing yoga and breath control systematically. I was so impressed, that leaving everything behind, I wanted to join his team immediately. Though that didn't quite happen, my deep interest in Yoga was kindled at that moment and has never since dimmed through my life. Yoga means union - between the individual soul and the supreme soul. Individual souls can truly progress when they realizes the divine connection, and Yoga helps to have that realization through constant practice of all the eight limbs (astanga) of Yoga, not just postures. This eight fold path is comprised of 1.Yama(restraints), 2.Niyama(observances), 3.Asana(posture) 4.Pranayam(breath control), 5. Pratyahara(withdrawal of the senses) 6.Dharana(concentration),7.Dhyana(meditation) and 8. Samadhi(stateless contemplation). On the auspicious International Yoga Day of June 21, we bow down to all yoga gurus of the world, specially sage Patanjali, who is attributed as the author of "Yoga Sutras" somewhere between 500BCE and 400 CE. Yoga which started in India over 5000 years ago today has reached every corner of the world, and like a flower, provides the world with nectar to quench the thirst of many souls. The western world which is mainly oriented towards external actions has embraced yoga and has produced many great yogis who are living proof of the path of joy, and the power of internal actions to create health, happiness and purpose. Let us remain lovingly united with the whole world and with all life through the divine connection we all share - experienced through the eight fold path that is Yoga.