What is yoga ? Yogah cittra vritti nirodhah

I have been trying to figure out what is yoga ? The common answer is yoga is a form of exercise to loose weight. Although i have also been reading books and articles on yoga trying to figure out the asnwer to my question , but i always ended up confused after reading those books which mainly discussing on history of yoga and not the definition.

I guess no one will have an answer for me except my self. To understand the meaning of yoga , we will have to practice yoga in order to have the feeling of enlightenment ,the feeling of a peaceful mind or controlling our mind from wondering around and distraction.

My mind always wonder around whenever i practice yoga , or attending my yoga class at the gym. My yoga class is always after work during the evening, and sometimes i am tired and hungry. Instead of breathing and holding the pose with my full attention, i will be thinking what to have for dinner after class or what to do when i get home. My body is there but my mind is already at home. So , there is not self control over my mind or feeling peaceful at heart as the mind is wondering around and losing focus on what is happening at that moment.

After years of practicing , i can now control my mind better, and i felt totally different after yoga class. Especially during the weekend mornings, after a yoga class, i felt so light and relaxed. The happy and clam feelings in me will last a day or two until my next yoga class.

Yogah citta vritti nirodhah : Yoga stop the vritti from turning the citta around. yoga is a control of your mind from distraction to reach self realization and enlightenment.