Yoga is the stoppage (nirodha) of all fluctuations (vritti) in mind matter (chitta). When mind becomes perfectly calm and unruffled by daulities (heat and cold, pain and joy, success and failure), yoga (union) is achieved between individual self (yogi) and supereme-conciousness (energy) that pervades this entire universe and makes its functioning possible. This super-conciousness is the same power that makes electrons revolve around an atomic nucleus.
This means asanas are just a means to achieve perfect calm in mind and finally Samadhi (merging of yourself in supereme self). This Samadhi — the highest step in yogic ladder, is the point of no return.
I don’t know the real meaning but today it is the in thing. Athletes take performance enhancing drugs and then claim, “I derive my strength from yoga.” No one asks why this masculine voice on an extraordinary muscled female body?
I think the central definition of the word the coming together of, or the union of 2 or more different entities in a certain way or combination. All other definitions probably follow from this.
Yoga as a spiritual practice is the bringing together of the mind, strains of through, emotions etc.
Planetary yogas would mean different combination of planets.
Samyoga and Viyoga mean the coming together and parting away fo entities.
Vi-yoga could probably be reduced to the opposite of yoga, or the lack of yoga resulting in separatedness.
So yoga probably is the coming together or even co-existing of 2 or more different things in a particular kind of relationship or combination.
Although I do yoga often (less than I’d like), I never thought about it. But based on JK, Sanjay or Jaffa’s definition, yoga, for we less people, is about developing body while de-stressing mind a little – calmness for few minutes. I don’t think one needs to be a yogin to benefit from practicing yoga.
Not sure what you are looking for.. but here goes:
(1) Literally, “yoga” means “union”. Beyond this point, there are plenty of themes: mind & body, mind & soul etc.. or soul & universe/nature etc.
(2) There are supposed to be 3 ways to achieve Nirvana/Mukti/Moksha etc.. Gyan/Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. But here, the term “Yoga” is more like “Path”. The Path of Knowledge, The Path of (“disinterested”) Action, and the Path of Devotion.
(3) And then there is the whole body of literature about Yogasanas.. Yoga Postures.. which relates to (1) above.
Read in an article about Hindu and Mayan similarities. Mayans had the word for Yoga, Yoh’kah (not sure about the spell^) which meant ‘at the top of the truth’.
Yoga itself simply means ‘to yoke’. That’s all. Each one of us must use the texts and commentaries as a guide to experience and make our own meaning. There is no core or ultimate meaning, and neither is an exact translation of the text as “indologists” are so fond of doing, any use.
Parivrajaka Sri Sadasivendra Saraswati Avadhuta (Sadasiva Brahmendra)in his famous Samskrit work “Yoga Sudhakara” a commentry on Patanjali Yoga Sutras defines “Yoga” as “Yuja Samadhau – ‘Union in spiritual absorption’ is the essential element of yoga and so yoga means spiritual absorption”.
As a staunch ‘Hindu’, I have never once been disappointed at your blogspot, your views, writings, thoughts… until now, that is! I found the tidbit about your particpation in the “Pro-Kannada” riots, better known as the anti-Tamil riots disgusting. Your actions that caused harm to (Tamil) Hindus put you in the same bracket as ULFA who target UP and Bihari Hindus.
It is also vastly disappointing to me that while you extol Hindu virtues and pretend to be this Hindu Dharmic votary, you exhibit parochial affiliations that are the greatest disservice to the cause of Hindu unity.
3. July 2007 - 12:23 AM
Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodah
3. July 2007 - 12:41 AM
“Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodah”
From Patanjali’s Yoga sutra.
Yoga is the stoppage (nirodha) of all fluctuations (vritti) in mind matter (chitta). When mind becomes perfectly calm and unruffled by daulities (heat and cold, pain and joy, success and failure), yoga (union) is achieved between individual self (yogi) and supereme-conciousness (energy) that pervades this entire universe and makes its functioning possible. This super-conciousness is the same power that makes electrons revolve around an atomic nucleus.
This means asanas are just a means to achieve perfect calm in mind and finally Samadhi (merging of yourself in supereme self). This Samadhi — the highest step in yogic ladder, is the point of no return.
3. July 2007 - 1:44 AM
Do you expect real yogis to be reading this blog
?
3. July 2007 - 3:48 AM
I don’t know the real meaning but today it is the in thing.
Athletes take performance enhancing drugs and then claim, “I derive my strength from yoga.” 
No one asks why this masculine voice on an extraordinary muscled female body? 
3. July 2007 - 10:58 AM
Yoga = Posture
3. July 2007 - 11:16 AM
I think the central definition of the word the coming together of, or the union of 2 or more different entities in a certain way or combination. All other definitions probably follow from this.
Yoga as a spiritual practice is the bringing together of the mind, strains of through, emotions etc.
Planetary yogas would mean different combination of planets.
Samyoga and Viyoga mean the coming together and parting away fo entities.
Vi-yoga could probably be reduced to the opposite of yoga, or the lack of yoga resulting in separatedness.
So yoga probably is the coming together or even co-existing of 2 or more different things in a particular kind of relationship or combination.
3. July 2007 - 11:47 AM
Is Yoga = Life?
From the corporate logo of LIC…
3. July 2007 - 11:56 AM
Yoga represents the development of mind and body. A Yogin cultivates the mind to the highest possible state.
3. July 2007 - 1:01 PM
Offtopic my challenge
3. July 2007 - 11:42 PM
Although I do yoga often (less than I’d like), I never thought about it. But based on JK, Sanjay or Jaffa’s definition, yoga, for we less people, is about developing body while de-stressing mind a little – calmness for few minutes. I don’t think one needs to be a yogin to benefit from practicing yoga.
4. July 2007 - 12:18 AM
Not sure what you are looking for.. but here goes:
(1) Literally, “yoga” means “union”. Beyond this point, there are plenty of themes: mind & body, mind & soul etc.. or soul & universe/nature etc.
(2) There are supposed to be 3 ways to achieve Nirvana/Mukti/Moksha etc.. Gyan/Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. But here, the term “Yoga” is more like “Path”. The Path of Knowledge, The Path of (“disinterested”) Action, and the Path of Devotion.
(3) And then there is the whole body of literature about Yogasanas.. Yoga Postures.. which relates to (1) above.
Quite a broad term actually.
4. July 2007 - 12:40 PM
Only half-seriouisly: “After Christian Yoga, Islamic Yoga*…”
http://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/03/31/what-next-after-christian-yoga/
4. July 2007 - 4:16 PM
Read in an article about Hindu and Mayan similarities. Mayans had the word for Yoga, Yoh’kah (not sure about the spell^) which meant ‘at the top of the truth’.
4. July 2007 - 8:21 PM
Yoga itself simply means ‘to yoke’. That’s all. Each one of us must use the texts and commentaries as a guide to experience and make our own meaning. There is no core or ultimate meaning, and neither is an exact translation of the text as “indologists” are so fond of doing, any use.
5. July 2007 - 6:56 PM
Parivrajaka Sri Sadasivendra Saraswati Avadhuta (Sadasiva Brahmendra)in his famous Samskrit work “Yoga Sudhakara” a commentry on Patanjali Yoga Sutras defines “Yoga” as “Yuja Samadhau – ‘Union in spiritual absorption’ is the essential element of yoga and so yoga means spiritual absorption”.
8. July 2007 - 11:50 PM
Definition of Yoga according to Bhagavad Gita (2:48): “Equanimity of mind or being established in the Self is Yoga”
10. July 2007 - 7:40 PM
>>Definition of Yoga according to Bhagavad Gita (2:48): “Equanimity of mind or being established in the Self is Yogaâ€
I could be totally wrong, But isn’t that the aim of Yoga (i mean being established in the Self)? How can the aim be the means to achieve aim itself?
10. July 2007 - 7:42 PM
>>Definition of Yoga according to Bhagavad Gita (2:48): “Equanimity of mind or being established in the Self is Yogaâ€
I could be totally wrong, but isn’t that (being established in the Self) the aim of Yoga? How could the aim also be the means to achieve the aim?
22. July 2007 - 3:36 AM
As a staunch ‘Hindu’, I have never once been disappointed at your blogspot, your views, writings, thoughts… until now, that is! I found the tidbit about your particpation in the “Pro-Kannada” riots, better known as the anti-Tamil riots disgusting. Your actions that caused harm to (Tamil) Hindus put you in the same bracket as ULFA who target UP and Bihari Hindus.
It is also vastly disappointing to me that while you extol Hindu virtues and pretend to be this Hindu Dharmic votary, you exhibit parochial affiliations that are the greatest disservice to the cause of Hindu unity.
12. May 2008 - 12:49 PM
Yoga means uniting Mind and Body
Yoga word is made with Yuj Dhatu in sanskrit.
Yoga literally means To Join
2. March 2009 - 9:03 AM
Yoga means ” Yujate aneneti iti yoga” which means “That which unites is called Yoga” here the uniting is with the Supreme being.
6. January 2010 - 2:58 PM
Hi Sandeep,
Can you tell me where did you read the book – “Yoga sudhaakara” . How do I get access to Sadasiva Brahmendra’s books ?
6. January 2010 - 7:27 PM
Kumar,
I haven’t read “Yoga Sudhakara.”