Bhoga vs. Yoga

Bhoga is enjoyment and pleasure derived through the body and senses which is by nature temporary and fleeting.  With bhoga as one's primary goal one continues the cycle of karma, and therefore further perpetuates the cycle of birth and death.

Yoga is union with the Self / Consciousness / Spirit (call It what you may) that is both pervading the bodily form and senses, their source and support, and is at the same time transcendent of them.  Instead of seeking for lasting fulfillment through and in the senses, the yogi discovers that lasting joy and fulfillment naturally arise through devotion to the unbounded Self / Spirit within and pervading all.  

Raga is attachment to that which is pleasant to the senses.  Dvesha is aversion to that which is unpleasant to the senses.  To one whose primary focus is bhoga, raga and dvesha rule and one lives in continual bondage to them.  Though for the one whose primary focus is yoga, raga and dvesha no longer rule and one comes into Their own true power, allowing this human life and expression to happen naturally in a greater freedom and wholeness, fulfilled in and as the Self.

Yoga

It is not just what is done that matters. What matters more is the quality of attention and awareness that is brought to the activity at hand. When this attentiveness is unbroken one begins more and more to rest in and as this unbroken awareness, even in the midst of change and activity. From continued effort to sustain the attention in what is here, eventually comes a natural shift into an unbroken awareness and effortless presence beyond the mental fabric of time and space.  Even as mind and senses continue to function in their natural expression and play, this effortless and unbounded awareness remains.

Sanskrit Vocabulary (For Asana Practice)

Adho – Downward

Anga – Limb
Ardha – Half
Asana – Steady, comfortable pose
Baddha – Bound
Bandha – Lock
Bhuja – Arm / Shoulder
Bhujanga – Serpent / Snake
Chakra – Wheel
Chandra – Moon
Danda – Staff
Dhanur – Bow shaped
Dwi – Two
Eka – One
Ganda – Cheek / Side of face
Hasta – Hand
Janu – Knee
Karna – Ear
Kona – Angle
Mukha – Facing
Namaskar – Prayer
Niralamba – Unsupported
Pada – Leg / Foot
Padangustha – Big toe
Parivrtta – Revolved
Parsva – Side / Sideways
Prasarita – Spread / Stretched out
Purna – Complete / Full
Salamba – Supported
Sama – Straight
Sarvanga – All the body / All limbs
Setu – Bridge
Sirsa – Head
Sthiti – Standing still
Supta – Supine / Reclining
Tan – stretch
Ubaya – Both
Upavishta – Seated
Urdva – Upward
Ut – Intensity
Utthita – Extended
Viparita – Reverse / Inverted
Virabhadra – Powerful Warrior
Vrksa – Tree