21st June 2015 has been celebrated as International Yoga Day all over the world. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations adopted a resolution started by India, declaring June 21 as ‘International Day of Yoga’. 175 countries have co-sponsored the resolution on the proposed Yoga day.
What is Yoga?
The word yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between the mind, body and spirit.
What is commonly referred to as “yoga” can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.
Major branches of Yoga include: Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga, known simply as Yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of thought, established by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Some references:
http://www.ashtangayoga.info/source-texts/
http://www.ashtangayoga.info/source-texts/
http://www.davedavies.com/splanet/raja.htm