This post is now part of a series! Parts 1 and 2 have been previously posted.

There are many texts that offer us definitions of yoga. Today’s definition comes from the Caraka-Saṃhitā, an ancient text on Ayurveda. As we celebrate World Health Day today, I thought it appropriate to share this definition as ayurveda, yoga’s sister science, is one of the world’s oldest holistic, healing systems.

Caraka-Saṃhitā

Sharira-sthana 1.137

Yogo moksha-pravartakah

Yoga is that which impels and grants spiritual liberation, or

Yoga is that which inspires and grants liberation from the incessant cycles of birth and death / happiness and suffering / attachment and loss (moksha).

As with the previous definitions shared (from the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) we can observe how few words are given to define yoga, and yet, how much contemplation and self-study is required to begin to understand what is given. This is why we must find a definition that resonates with us and study that particular definition.

The theme for this year’s World Health Day is #HealthForAll and as we seek to uncover the deeper meaning of yoga, how yoga applies to us, how it can enrich our lives, then we also begin to understand how we can use our practice to pursue health for ourselves, our communities and our spaces. I share a bit more of my thoughts on this in today's Instagram post.

peace,