Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and
breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. The main components of yoga are
postures and breathing. The practice originated in India about 5,000 years ago, and
has been adapted in other countries in a variety of ways. Yoga is now commonplace
in leisure centres, health clubs, schools, hospitals and surgeries.
Most of us are accustomed to looking outside of ourselves for fulfillment. We are
living in a world that conditions us to believe that outer attainments can give us
what we want. Yet again and again our experiences show us that nothing external can
completely fulfill the deep longing within for "something more." Most of the time,
however, we find ourselves striving toward that which always seems to lie just
beyond our reach. We are caught up in doing rather than being, in action rather
than awareness. It is hard for us to picture a state of complete calmness and
repose in which thoughts and feelings cease to dance in perpetual motion. Yet it is
through such a state of quietude that we can touch a level of joy and understanding
impossible to achieve otherwise.
It is said in the Bible: "Be still and know that I am God." In these few words lies
the key to the science of Yoga. This ancient spiritual science offers a direct
means of stilling the natural turbulence of thoughts and restlessness of body that
prevent us from knowing what we really are.
Ordinarily our awareness and energies are directed outward, to the things of this
world, which we perceive through the limited instruments of our five senses.
Because human reason has to rely upon the partial and often deceptive data supplied
by the physical senses, we must learn to tap deeper and more subtle levels of
awareness if we would solve the enigmas of life — Who am I? Why am I here? How do I
realize Truth?
