Despite its very ancient origins, Yoga has experienced an explosion of popularity in America in the last few decades.  Literally millions of people have tried Yoga to different degrees.  Famous celebrities like Madonna, Carlos Santana, Sting and even Chelsea Clinton are known to be avid Yoga practitioners.  Yoga's recent popularity is due to the fact that it offers a very easy, rational and enjoyable way to achieve deep levels of relaxation and physical reinvigoration.  Despite its amazing growth in popularity, however, even many serious practitioners see Yoga as nothing more than a series of powerful physical exercises designed to give one a perfect body.  While Yoga will certainly give us the physical health, energy, stamina and strength that we're seeking, this is not the primary goal of Yoga.  Yoga is infinitely more than just the "aerobics of India". 

First and foremost, Yoga is a process of spiritual unfoldment.  Yoga is a 5000 year old system of self-knowledge and God-realization the aim of which is unleashing the full hidden potential of every aspect of the human person - including our physical, ethical, emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual dimensions.  It is an active philosophy and practical discipline that brings about a harmonization of all these various aspects of the human experience.  Yoga teaches us how to harmonize our own personal existence, as well as to harmonize our individual consciousness with the greater Self that is God.  Moreover, it is a system that has meditation as both its means and its goal. 

Above all else, Yoga is active, focused meditation on the Absolute.  Meditation is at the very heart of any good Yoga practice.  All the other aspects of Yoga exist in order to ensure that the yogi (person practicing Yoga) can achieve a deep state of meditative communion with both her true self, as well  as with the Absolute.  Indeed, even if one were to do all the various poses of Yoga perfectly, unless one is also doing these poses in a meditative frame of mind, then one is not doing Yoga at all.   Meditation on God is the foundation of all Yoga practice.

While the physical component is certainly of importance, it is only one of the eight limbs of Yoga practice, all of which have meditation on God as their purpose.  These are the eight limbs of the complete Yoga system:

Classical Ashtanga Yoga:  The Eight Limbs of Yoga

1)       YAMA:  Five positive ethical guidelines, including non- violence, fidelity to the Absolute, non-stealing, truthfulness, etc.

2)    NIYAMA:  Five positive behaviors, including study, devotion to God, cleanliness, contentment, etc.

3)       ASANA:  These are the actual physical exercises that people usually associate with Yoga.  These powerful poses are designed to give our bodies strength, flexibility and energy.  They also contribute to the deep sense of relaxation that is necessary in order to meditate on the Absolute.

4)       PRANAYAMA:  Energizing breathing exercises that produce vitality and inner calm.

5)       PRATYAHARA:  Detachment from the ever-present fluctuations of life.

6)       DHYANA:  Meditation designed to still the agitations of the mind.

7)   DHARANA:  Fostering powerful concentration.

8)       SAMADHI: Blissful absorption of one's individual consciousness in the essence of God.

These eight limbs together constitute the complete classical Yoga system (known as Classical Ashtanga).  When practiced under the guidance of a well-trained spiritual teacher (guru), the path of Yoga can lead to complete personal liberation from all illusion and suffering. 

About the Author  

Dr. Frank Morales, Ph.D. (Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya) earned both a doctorate and a Masters degree in Languages and Cultures of Asia from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Previously, Dr. Morales earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from Loyola University Chicago.  His fields of expertise include Philosophy of Religion, Hindu Studies, Sanskrit, History of Religion, Comparative Theology, Contemporary South Asian Politics, and the interface between Hinduism and modernity.  Dr. Morales is currently recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on Hindu philosophy and religion, as well as South Asian studies.  In addition to directing his own institute (The Center for the Study of Religion and Civilization), Dr. Morales works in conjunction with several educational institutes and think tanks globally.  Dr. Morales maintains a very demanding schedule consisting of lecturing, consulting and writing.  Dr. Morales has been a guest lecturer at over two dozen major universities throughout the USA, including Harvard, Rutgers, Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern, Illinois Institute of Technology, and University of Virginia.  In addition, Dr. Morales has served as a South Asian affairs consultant for such corporations as Ford Motor Company, Lucent Technologies, Goodwin Procter Law Firm, and the Global Health Corporation.  His first book, “Experiencing Truth: The Vedic Way of Knowing God”, is scheduled for publication in 2006.  In addition to his academic duties, Dr. Morales has been a practicing orthodox Hindu for 30 years, and is an ordained Hindu priest.  The practice of Yoga and meditation are of central importance in his life.  His website is www.dharmacentral.com.

"Dr. Frank Morales represents the Sankalpa [the will] of the Hindu people and the cause of Sanatana Dharma. I urge all Hindus everywhere to give him your full support, assistance, and encouragement in his crucial work. He needs and deserves our help."

- Dr. David Frawley (Oct. 14, 2007)

To learn more about how to practice Yoga and meditation in an authentic way, please contact Dharma Central,  (402) 896-4294,    info@dharmacentral.com