Language is always changing, evolving, and adapting to the needs of its users. Some words or expressions become obsolete, while new ones take birth. ‘Thou’, ‘jollux’ etc went into oblivion. ‘Netizens’, ‘phubbing’ and many others have cropped up in recent times. Furthermore, with the passage of time certain words connote different meanings to different people from different continents and cultures.

The word YOGA too has undergone a mutation. Today we understand, explain or interpret the word differently than what it meant to people centuries back. Wikipedia.com defines yoga as a physical, mental and spiritual practice. To some it is a ‘union of body and mind’ or that of ‘individual soul and God’. To some people it is peace, and to others a method for curing diseases. So on and so forth. When we refer to asana or pranayama, we are in reality referring to the process through which we reach the yogic state. When we explain yoga in terms of good health, relief from a disease or peace of mind etc, we are in fact mentioning the effects on reaching the state of yoga.

Yoga is NOT making one’s mind still or stopping one’s breath or thoughts. It also is NOT the stillness of one’s body. Then what is yoga?

Yoga is the ability to process one’s thoughts according to natural righteousness; it is a skill to maintain equanimity. In modern terms, it is a programme developed through yogic practices that maintains equanimity — evenness of mind’s thought process.©

Such yogic state is not tangible; it cannot be discerned through our physical senses. It can be perceived only through intuitive wisdom. Just as we cannot see electric energy but know it’s passing through wires because the electrical gadgets are working, so is the case with the yogic state. We can see its effects.

By regulating our style of living so as to make ourselves physically fit, mentally sound, intellectually strong and emotionally mature, we can reach the state of intuitive wisdom. With that intuitive wisdom we can perceive that state which is termed ‘yoga’.

It is possible to detail how to go about to reach the yogic state. Wise men have developed techniques like pranayama and asanas. It’s worth mentioning that simple practicing asanas or pranayama are not sufficient to lead an individual to that state. Among other things such as dietary regulations and mental disposition, emotional balance plays a very important role. ‘Control ‘ is a word that is very often used in this path. Be it control of diet, control over breath, control over emotions, control over sex or control over thoughts etc. Let’s be clear that it is only through proper awareness of our emotions and by serious contemplation that we can regulate our body and mind and NOT through control.

A question may arise in the minds of ardent yoga practitioners: “How do I know whether I have reached the yogic state?”

The answer is simple. A person who has reached the yogic state has all the answers.