Final answer:
Yoga's true meaning emphasizes the union of individual consciousness with the universal. With eight limbs guiding its practice, Yoga's purpose transcends physicality, aiming for spiritual enlightenment and deep moral conduct. The Sanskrit root 'yuj' signifies the joining aspect of Yoga.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Yoga means “to join together, to concentrate, and to use” requires clarification. The Sanskrit root of the word Yoga is “yuj” which means to yoke or to unite. Therefore, the meaning of Yoga is often interpreted as the union or the joining together of one’s consciousness with the universal consciousness, which aligns with the definition first mentioned in the Rigveda. This ancient tradition, as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, suggests that Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind and the path to realizing one's true self, thus achieving enlightenment or unity with the supreme soul.
Yoga encompasses eight limbs, each contributing to a practitioner’s spiritual journey. These include the ethical precepts (yamas and niyamas), postures (asana), breath control (pranayama), sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and ultimately the state of samadhi, or unity with the divine. Throughout history, Yoga's philosophical and practical dimensions have deeply influenced Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other spiritual traditions, and its practice aims far beyond physical fitness towards spiritual and moral well-being.