Concept
Yoga: FAQ & Sources
योगYoga means union and discipline, and in Hindu thought it covers paths of action, knowledge, devotion and meditation, not only physical posture. The Gita names each of its chapters a yoga.
Frequently asked questions
What is yoga?
Union and discipline: a practice that steadies the mind and joins the individual to the highest reality.
Is yoga only physical exercise?
No. Postures are one limb of one system; yoga also covers action, knowledge, devotion and meditation.
What does the Bhagavad Gita say about yoga?
It defines yoga as evenness of mind (2.48) and skill in action (2.50), and names every chapter a yoga.
What are the four main yogas?
Karma yoga (action), jnana yoga (knowledge), bhakti yoga (devotion) and dhyana yoga (meditation).
What are the eight limbs of yoga?
In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
Sources and further reading
- Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
- Bhagavad Gita, Chapters 2, 3, 6 and 12
- The Upanishads (Katha, Shvetashvatara)
Read our editorial policy on how scripture, Purana and folk tradition are labelled.
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