Yoga, Meditation and Wellness
at Park Woods Forest Retreat, Shoghi
At some point in life many want to slow down, move inward, delve into the mysteries of life and perhaps through physical and mental discipline move towards a more meaningful daily existence and perhaps afterlife. 

Yoga as many know or understand it - asanas or postures - is a small bit of the whole. One does not “do yoga’ but yoga is a way of life. Yoga comes from the word ‘yuj’ meaning ‘union’ which is interpreted as the union of the body, mind and soul and further union of the Soul with the Universal Absolute or of the Atman with the Brahman.

Though many variations and disciplines on yoga have been created and are being followed, worth mentioning are Maharishi Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras – the first time the principles of yoga were documented around 200 B.C.; even though the history and advent of yoga goes back 5000 years upto the Indus Valley Civilization. Sage Patanjali interpreted and systemized all the information which had been passed down by earlier generations.

Often called the "father of yoga," Patanjali compiled 195 sutras or concise aphorisms that are essentially an ethical blueprint for living a moral and ethical life and incorporating the science of yoga into your daily life. Yoga can help you cultivate body, mind and spiritual awareness.  
                             
Raja Yoga also called Ashtanga Yoga or the eight limbs of yoga as propounded by Patanjali are:
1) Yama – Self restraints and ethical values.
2) Niyama – Self discipline and personal observances of purity, tolerance and study.
3) Asana - Postures, discipline of the body.
4) Pranayama - Control and regulation of  breath or vital energy.
5) Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the mind from sense objects.
6) Dharana – Concentration.
7) Dhyana – Meditation.
8) Samadhi - Superconscious state.