Yoga is an integral part of India’s ancient heritage and has been practiced for thousands of years. In Class 11 Yoga (841), the topic “Introduction to Yoga Texts” helps students understand the foundational scriptures and philosophical background of yoga.
Introduction to Yoga Texts Class 11 Notes
Introduction and study of Patanjali Yoga Sutra, including memorisation of selected sutras.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Yoga is not only physical posture or breathing exercises; it is about mastering the mind. Saga Patanjali defines yoga as the ability to control the fluctuations of the mind. In the Yoga Sutra, the method is written on how to achieve mental control, which is called Ashtanga Yoga, or the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Modern yoga, known as Hatha Yoga, mainly focuses on physical poses and breath control.
Overview of Yoga Sutras
The yoga sutras have a special book written by Sage Patanjali that explains how to practice yoga using the correct method. Even the yoga is mentioned in other ancient texts; Patanjali was the Sant who put all the ideas together into a clear system. The Yoga Sutra book has 195 short sutras. These sutras are easy to remember and full of wisdom. It is divided into four parts:
- Samadhi Pada: The first part talks about why yoga is important.
- Sadhana Pada: The second part guides how to do daily practice.
- Vibhuti Pada: The third part describes special powers that may come from deep meditation and practice.
- Kaivalya Pada: The fourth part explains how the mind works.
Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs of Yoga)
Yoga is like a step-by-step path that helps us live better, calm the mind and connect deeply within. The Patanjali gave us eight parts of this journey:
- Yamas (self-restraints): How to behave with others – be honest, be kind, have self-control, etc.
- Niyamas (observances): How to take care of ourselves, like keeping clean, staying happy and working hard.
- Asana (posture): Sit comfortably to stay focused.
- Pranayama (breath control): Breathe in a slow and controlled way to calm your body and mind.
- Pratyahara (sense withdrawal): Learn to ignore outside distractions and turn your attention inward.
- Dharana (concentration/focus): Practice focusingyour mind on one thing, like a candle flame or your breath.
- Dhyana (meditation): Meditate deeply so your mind stays quiet and calm.
- Samadhi (total absorption): Reach a state of total peace, where you feel connected and free from worries.
Yoga Principle
Following are the ten yoga principles –
- Non-violence (Ahimsa)
- Truthfulness (Satya)
- Righteousness (Asteya)
- Wisdom (Brahmacharya)
- Simplicity (Aparigraha)
- Sacrifice the ego (Shaucha)
- Contentment (Santosha)
- Self-discipline (Tanas)
- Reading (Svadhyaya)
- Worship of the spiritual goal (Ishvara-pranidhana)
Meaning of Yoga Principle
- Non-violence (Ahimsa): Be kind and peaceful in thoughts, words and actions.
- Truthfulness (Satya): Live in the truth. Basically be honest with yourself and others.
- Righteousness (Asteya): Neither stealing nor cheating. A yogi is always honest. He does not seek unwarranted advantages, but he is looking for a fair trade.
- Wisdom (Brahmacharya): Live in the spiritual light. Focus on inner growth rather than chasing pleasure or materialism.
- Simplicity (Aparigraha): Be moderate in external enjoyment and consumption.
- Sacrifice the ego (Shaucha): Keep your body, mind and surroundings clean. Purify your thoughts and habits.
- Self-discipline (Tapas): A clear goal, a clear life plan and a clear way of practising. Tapas means to lead a disciplined life.
- Reading (Svadhyaya): Daily reading (mantra, meditation) keeps us on the spiritual path, cleanses our spirit, connects us with the enlightened masters and makes us spiritual victors.
- Worship of a spiritual goal (Ishvara-pranidhana): Trust in a higher power. Offer your actions and outcomes with humility.
Introduction and study of Bhagavad Gita including memorization of selected Slokas
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita is India’s great epic. The Bhagavad Gita is a “Song of the Lord” Krishna. The Mahabharata tells the story of a war between the Pandavas and Kauravas, fighting over the kingdom of Hastinapura. Just before the war begins, the warrior Arjuna feels hopeless and refuses to fight. Lord Krishna teaches Arjun regarding the truth of life and what his responsibility is; this conversation makes up the Gita.
Krishna teaches Arjuna about:
- Dharma (righteous duty)
- Karma (selfless action)
- Bhakti (devotion)
- Self-control, inner peace, and seeing the divine in all life
The Gita has 18 chapters, each called a “yoga” or “path”.
Introduction to Hatha Pradpika
The word ‘Hatha’ is made up of two words, ‘Ha’ and ‘Tha’. In which ‘Ha’ means prana shakti, the most important force, and ‘Tha’ means the shakti of the mind (mental force). Hatha yoga means the union of body and mind energies. It aims to balance these two forces to bring harmony and prepare the body for higher spiritual practices.
The Three Nadis (Energy Channels)
- Ida Nadi – Left side, cool, calming, linked to the mind
- Pingala Nadi – Right side, warm, active, linked to vital energy
- Sushumna Nadi – Central channel, spiritual energy pathway
Hatha yoga pradipika
These texts have been written by yoga Swatmarama also known as Sahajananda Chintamani. The title ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ can be translated as Light on Hatha Yoga. Pradipika stands for illuminating the self. Hence, it can be said that it is a kind of text which illuminates various aspects of an individual like the physical, mental & spiritual aspects.
This text contains 390 shlokas divided into four chapters.
- First chapter consists of 67 verses and deals with Asana.
- Chapter two consists of 78 verses and deals with Shatkarma & Pranayama.
- Chapter three has 130 verses and discusses about Mudra and Bandha.
- Chapter four contains 114 verses and discusses Samadhi.
Introduction and study of Gheranda Samhita
Gheranda Samhita is an old book about yoga. It is written as a talk between Sage Gheranda (the teacher) and Chandakapali (his student). Ghatastha Yoga means improving the whole body and mind—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually too. The body is treated like a vessel (ghata) that must be cleaned and prepared for spiritual growth.
Seven Steps of Yoga in Gheranda Samhita
These are the seven steps to grow in yoga, from outer cleansing to inner peace:
- Shatkarma – Cleansing the body (21 practices)
- Asana – Physical postures for strength and flexibility (32 poses)
- Mudra & Bandha – Movements to control and guide energy (25 types)
- Pratyahara – Controlling the senses (5 practices)
- Pranayama – Breathing exercises (10 types)
- Dhyana – Meditation (3 methods)
- Samadhi – Deep peace and union with the divine (6 types)
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