Yoga has a very long history dating back thousands of years. Nobody really knows for sure when it all started. The literature of yoga is written in epic poems, stories and scripture. They have been interpreted and rewritten by many. They include the Vedas, Brahamanas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Bhagavad-Gita, Ramayana, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Tantra, and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras to name only a few. The teachings of the Upanishads, Patanjali's yoga sutras and the Bhagavad-Gita define yoga today. The Bhagavad-Gita is considered the most important text and is an epic poem of a conversation between a warrior prince, Arjuna and the man/god, Krishna. Krishna instructs Arjuna on the meaning and purpose of life and existence as Arjuna fulfills his duties on the battlefield. We cannot ignore this important works of art, literature, science and medicine. It is far too valuable to the understanding of the world and ourselves.
Sanskrit is one of the oldest Indo-European languages in the world and includes a rich tradition of poetry, literature, science, philosophy and religion. It is one if the 22 official languages of India. Sanskrit was the language of the ancient yoga texts mentioned above. Today Sanskrit is also the language of yoga. The yoga postures, philosophy, mantras and hymns are spoken today around the globe in yoga centers. This seems to be a language that will never die. More and more on the radio, television and written publications I hear Sanskrit words used in our own vernacular such as avatar, chakra, mantra, deva, mandala and dharma to name a few. Yoga has become more and more mainstream over the years and for good reason. It is a study of the beginning of the civilizing of man.
The Sanskrit word "mantra" is a word or string of words chanted over and over to accomplish concentration of the mind. The word mantra consists of the root man or manas meaning, to think and the suffix tra meaning "tool" hence the tool or instrument of thought. Mantras are effective sound vibrations and great emphasis is put on correct pronunciation. This correct pronunciation has very practical benefit such as toning the facial muscles, clearing the bronchial tubes, deep breathing, strengthening of the abdominal and respiratory muscles including the diaphragm. Some of the sounds made by yoga chanting vibrate the ears and nose clearing the sinuses. Yoga mantras would be incredibly useful in phonetics and speech therapy.
The yogis felt that chanting the same phrase of words over and over again cleared the mind of illusion and material inclinations so that meditation can be practiced. Mantra is practiced today to release the mind. Yoga is so popular today because yoga meditation is learning to take the time to release the mind from cares, worries, time constraints, work, responsibility and even physical pain for a time and allow the mind to recuperate, regenerate and expand. This mental release is accomplished by meditation and also repeating the same phrase of words over and over as in a mantra. Mantra can also be used to invoke a feeling state or even for remembering facts. Try this sometime. When you are in a very relaxed state pick a short mantra to repeat over and over. Something that sounds good to you. The next time you are stressed repeat this same mantra and your relaxed state will be remembered.
