The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’ meaning to unite and deeply indicating the union of Jeevatma (soul) and Paramatma (universal soul). The yoga was developed as a part of the tantric culture which existed in ancient India (pre-Vedic period) more than ten thousand years ago. Lord Siva is considered to be the symbol of supreme consciousness. The Kundalini Shakti lies in Mooladhara Chakra of our body. The individual soul is embodied and bound to the world. This is liberated and united with supreme consciousness by practicing Yoga.In the Vedas, we find indications of the highest state which is the goal of Yoga. The Katopanishad defines Yoga as a state of steadiness of the body and control of the senses as well as the mind and the intellect.
Patanjali defines Yoga as a state in which there is complete elimination of thoughts (Chitta Vritti Nirodhaha) and modification of the mind. He introduces Ashtanga Yoga (the eight-fold path: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana & Samadhi). However, they are also mentioned in the Gita as well as the Yoga Sutras.
