Classic Studies On Yoga | The Online Resource of Yoga

Tat Tvam Asi: That Thou Art

January 27, 2019May 13, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art) is one of the Mahavakyas of Vedanta. It is found in Chandogya Upanishad of Sama Veda. To understand this Mahavakya, one must read this Upanishad in full. The core teaching of the sixth Read more

Aham Brahmasmi: I am the absolute reality

January 22, 2019May 13, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Aham Brahmasmi is one of the Mahavakyas of Vedanta. Mahavakyas are the concise expression of the core tenets of Vedanta. Mahavakyas may be understood as the great aphorisms of Vedanta. The four Mahavakyas are Prajnanam Brahma, Tat Tvam Asi, Ayam Atma Brahma, Read more

Yoga Upanishads

January 17, 2019May 23, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

What are Upanishads? Before knowing Yoga Upanishads, Let us see what are Upanishads. Upanishads are the highest wisdom of mankind. They are the very essence of the Vedas. In the words of Sri Aurobindo, they are the supreme work of Read more

Santosha

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Introduction Santosha is the second Niyama of typical Ashtanga Yoga. It is one of the important virtues to be observed in Yoga practice as well as in religious practices of India. Let us have an insight into its meaning and Read more

Saucha

May 27, 2019May 27, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Introduction Saucha (also spelled as Shaucha) or cleanliness is the primary Niyama which is the model code of conduct for practicing yoga. There are five important codes as given in Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, of which Saucha is the first Read more

Niyama

May 24, 2019June 5, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Meaning of Niyama Niyama are the ethical codes of conduct to be observed during the course of yoga. Simply put, Niyamas are “dos” in yoga; whereas Yamas are “don’ts”. In other words, Niyamas are the moral observances. These observances helps Read more

Aparigraha

May 1, 2019May 27, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Aparigraha is the yogic injunction for non-possessing. All oriental religions promulgate Aparigraha as one of self-restraint to be cultivated by persons in all walks of like whether they are laymen or ascetic. It is a moral precept that controls the Read more

Brahmacharya

April 29, 2019May 27, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Brahmacharya Meaning Brahmacharya is commonly understood as Celibacy which means non-indulgence in sexual activity. Brahmacharya is more than that. It is the combination of two words: Brahman and Carya. The word Brahman is derived from the root ‘Brh‘ Read more

Asteya

April 21, 2019May 27, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Asteya is a moral virtue in Hinduism and Jainism, Asteya or non-stealing is the third of the five Yamas of Ashtanga Yoga. It comes next to Ahimsa and Satya. It is highly ridiculous to classify it like ‘on the mat Read more

Satya: The Second Yama of Ashtanga Yoga

March 30, 2019May 13, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Ashtanga Yoga has eight limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Yama is a list of yoga precepts that should be cultivated by a Yogi for successful mastery of Yoga. Different Yoga scriptures list a different number of Read more

Ahimsa

March 21, 2019May 13, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Ahimsa Meaning The Sanskrit word Ahimsa is the antonym of Himsa. Himsa means harmfulness and causing pain and grief to other beings. Hence Ahimsa means harmlessness or non-violence. But the indicated meaning goes beyond non-violence. It includes relieving the sufferings of Read more

Yama

March 9, 2019May 13, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

Yama is one of the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga. It is also the name of the God of death in Hindu Mythology. This article is not about the God of death, but it is about the first limb of Ashtanga Read more

Ajapa Japa

March 7, 2019May 13, 2019 Thirunavukkarasu Sivasubramaniam

What is Ajapa Japa? Simply put, Japa is the repetition of a Mantra. Japa is of three types. Vachika Japa, Upamsu Japa, and Manasa Japa. Vachika Japa is the repetition of mantra with the audible utterance. Upamsu Japa is the Read more