Raja yoga: through the ages

The word yoga takes us back to the ancient times and brings to mind a plethora of images of extraordinary postures that seem impossible to attempt, let alone master. Yoga is much more than mastering the various postures or increasing your flexibility. It is an ancient practice that involves various physical stances as well as several mental and breathing exercises that cleanse our mind, body and soul. It focuses on self-enlightenment as its ultimate goal.Yoga has continued to evolve over the years and now there are various disciplines that are practiced. Yoga is a science that has transcended boundaries, language and culture and has got worldwide acceptance. It is estimated that over 35 million people practice yoga in America and U.K. The most common form of yoga practiced here is Hatha yoga.The origins, the concept, the ultimate goal and the various benefits of practicing such an ancient art form are still unknown to many. Beyond the assumption that it started in India, the knowledge about yoga takes a dip into the unknown. There are a lot of intricacies that are associated with this art form that need to be understood to really reap the true benefits of this ancient art form.This eBook aims at enlightening you and takes you into the wonderful yet mysterious world of Yoga and in particular Raja Yoga. This eBook helps you understand Raja Yoga better and the basics that can help you get started."The traditional purpose of Yoga, however, has always been to bring about a profound transformation in the person through the transcendence of the ego," Feuerstein 3