Source material from 4th Revised Edition, May 2019 | Source: Common Yoga Protocol, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India Tags: yoga, common yoga protocol, IDY, International Day of Yoga, yoga history, yoga philosophy, Patanjali, asana, pranayama, dhyana, yama, niyama, eight limbs, Ashtanga, AYUSH, yoga fundamentals, yoga schools
Yoga is a spiritual discipline rooted in ancient Indian tradition, focused on uniting mind, body and consciousness. The word derives from the Sanskrit root "yuj" (to join, to unite). The Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) is a standardised 45-minute sequence designed by a committee of Indian yoga experts for the International Day of Yoga (21 June), covering prayer, loosening practices, asanas, pranayama, meditation and closing chants.
Yoga
A spiritual discipline based on bringing harmony between mind and body. Derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj," meaning to join, yoke, or unite. Refers both to the state of union with universal consciousness and to the methods for achieving that union.
Yuj
The Sanskrit root of the word "Yoga," meaning "to join," "to yoke," or "to unite."
Yogi
One who experiences oneness of existence and is said to be "in Yoga." A yogi has attained a state of freedom, referred to as mukti, nirvana, kaivalya, or moksha.
Sadhana
The practice of Yoga. Its aim is to overcome all kinds of suffering and lead to holistic health, happiness and harmony.
Mukti / Nirvana / Kaivalya / Moksha
Terms for the state of spiritual freedom or liberation attained through Yoga practice. Different traditions use different terms, but the underlying concept is the same.
Karma Yoga
The path of Yoga where the body is the primary instrument. Action-oriented practice.
Jnana Yoga
The path of Yoga that utilises the intellect and discernment. Knowledge-oriented practice.
Bhakti Yoga
The path of Yoga that utilises emotion and devotion.
Kriya Yoga
The path of Yoga that utilises energy.
Guru
A teacher. Ancient commentaries stress that it is essential to work under the direction of a Guru, who can advocate the appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths for each individual.
Guru-Shishya Parampara
The teacher-student lineage tradition. These lineages led to the emergence of different traditional schools of Yoga.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
The foundational codification of Yoga. Maharishi Patanjali systematised and codified existing Yogic practices, their meaning and related knowledge in the pre-Vedic period.
Yama
Restraints. Ethical rules that form a pre-requisite for further Yoga practice.
Niyama
Observances. Personal disciplines that form a pre-requisite for further Yoga practice.
Asana
Physical postures capable of bringing stability of body and mind. Involves adopting various psycho-physical body patterns and maintaining them for a period of time.
Pranayama
Breath regulation. Consists of developing awareness of one's breathing, followed by willful regulation of respiration. Helps develop awareness of the mind and establish control over it.
Pratyahara
Withdrawal of the senses. Dissociation of one's consciousness from the sense organs that connect with external objects.
Dharana
Concentration. A broad-based field of attention inside the body and mind.
Dhyana
Meditation. Contemplation, or focused attention inside the body and mind.
Samadhi
The state of being constant, of absorption. The culmination of meditative practice.
Bandhas and Mudras
Higher yogic practices associated with Pranayama. They adopt certain physical gestures along with control over respiration, facilitating control over mind.
Shatkarmas (Satkarmas)
Detoxification procedures that are clinical in nature. They help remove toxins accumulated in the body.
Yuktahara
The principle of appropriate food and food habits for healthy living.
Mantra Japa
Meditative repetitions of a mantra or divine consciousness. Produces positive mental impressions, helping to gradually overcome stress.
Yukta-Karma
The principle of right actions for healthy living.
Common Yoga Protocol (CYP)
A standardised 45-minute yoga sequence designed by a committee of 21 experts from leading Indian yoga institutions, published by the Ministry of AYUSH for the International Day of Yoga.
International Day of Yoga (IDY)
Established by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 2014, with 177 co-sponsoring countries. Celebrated annually on 21 June. First observed in 2015.
Yoga has its origin thousands of years ago, long before the first religion or belief systems were born.
Widely considered an "immortal cultural outcome" of the Indus Saraswati Valley Civilisation, dating back to approximately 2700 BC
Seals and fossil remains with Yogic motifs and figures performing Yoga sadhana suggest the presence of Yoga in ancient India
Seals and idols of mother Goddess point toward Tantra Yoga
Present in folk traditions, Vedic and Upanishadic heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darshanas, and the epics (Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana)
Maharishi Patanjali systematised and codified existing Yogic practices through the Yoga Sutras
After Patanjali, many sages and masters contributed through well-documented practices and literature
Yoga works on four levels of a person: body, mind, emotion and energy. This gives rise to four broad classifications.
Karma Yoga – uses the body
Jnana Yoga – uses the intellect (the "lighter mind")
Bhakti Yoga – uses emotion and devotion
Kriya Yoga – uses energy
Every individual is a unique combination of these four factors, and a Guru can advise the appropriate blend.
The different philosophies, traditions and Guru-Shishya paramparas led to many traditional schools, including: Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Patanjala Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jain Yoga, and Bouddha Yoga. Each school has its own approach, but all lead toward the same ultimate aim.
The widely practised Yoga sadhanas include: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi, Bandhas and Mudras, Shatkarmas, Yuktahara, Mantra Japa, and Yukta-Karma.
Pranayama in detail:
In the initial stages, one develops awareness of the "flow of in-breath and out-breath" (shvasa-prashvasa) through nostrils, mouth and other body openings. This is then refined through regulated inhalation (shvasa), awareness of the body space being filled (puraka), breath retention (kumbhaka), and regulated exhalation (rechaka/prashvasa).
The inner limbs:
Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (absorption) form a progressively deeper inward journey. Practice of Dhyana, which moves one towards self-realisation and transcendence, is considered the essence of Yoga Sadhana.
On 27 September 2014, India's Prime Minister addressed the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, urging the world to adopt an International Day of Yoga
On 11 December 2014, the 193-member UNGA approved the proposal by consensus, with a record 177 co-sponsoring countries
21 June was established as the International Day of Yoga
The first IDY was held on 21 June 2015 at Rajpath, New Delhi, setting two Guinness World Records: the Largest Yoga Lesson (35,985 participants) and the maximum number of nationalities (84) in a single Yoga lesson
The CYP is a 45-minute session structured as follows:
Prayer / Invocation
Sadilaja / Calana Kriyas (Loosening Practices)
Yogasanas (Standing, Sitting, Prone, Supine postures)
Kapalabhati
Pranayama (Nadi Shodhana, Shitali, Bhramari)
Dhyana (Meditation)
Sankalpa (Resolve)
Shanti Patha (Peace Chant)
There is also provision for 15 minutes of Institutional Yoga Practices (IYP) before the Sankalpa.
⚠️ The word "Yoga" comes from "yuj" (to join/unite) – this etymology is a standard exam question.
⚠️ Know the four fundamental paths: Karma, Jnana, Bhakti, Kriya – and what each one "utilises" (body, intellect, emotion, energy).
⚠️ Patanjali's role was to systematise and codify existing practices, not to invent Yoga.
⚠️ The eight limbs (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi) are foundational to virtually every yoga exam syllabus.
⚠️ Dhyana (meditation) is described as the "essence of Yoga Sadhana" in this protocol.
⚠️ IDY was established on 11 December 2014 by UNGA, celebrated 21 June. First celebration: 2015.
Q: What is the Sanskrit root of the word "Yoga" and what does it mean?
A: The Sanskrit root is "yuj," meaning "to join," "to yoke," or "to unite."
Q: Name the four broad classifications of Yoga and the instrument each one uses.
A: Karma Yoga (body), Jnana Yoga (intellect), Bhakti Yoga (emotion), Kriya Yoga (energy).
Q: What did Maharishi Patanjali contribute to Yoga?
A: He systematised and codified the existing Yogic practices, their meaning and related knowledge through the Yoga Sutras.
Q: List the eight widely practised Yoga sadhanas (the "eight limbs").
A: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
Q: When and how was the International Day of Yoga established?
A: On 11 December 2014, the 193-member UN General Assembly approved a resolution by consensus (177 co-sponsoring countries) to establish 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. The first IDY was celebrated on 21 June 2015.
Q: What are Shatkarmas?
A: Detoxification procedures that are clinical in nature, designed to help remove toxins accumulated in the body.
Q: What is Pratyahara?
A: The withdrawal or dissociation of one's consciousness from the sense organs that connect with external objects.
Q: Which component of Yoga practice is described as the "essence of Yoga Sadhana"?
A: Dhyana (meditation), because it moves one towards self-realisation and transcendence.
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