Are you interested in knowing more about the history of Yoga?
WHAT IS YOGA - WHERE DID IT ALL START?
There are different ideas, styles and schools of Yoga with many different understandings of its origin, meaning and practice techniques.
In a general overview, Yoga is recognised as an ancient system of philosophies, principles and practices derived from the Vedic tradition of India and the Himalayas, more than 5000 years ago. This system recognises the multi-dimensional nature of human beings, and relates to the nature and workings of the mind based on experiential practice and self-enquiry.
As understood by the word Yoga (to yoke), the practice is the union of the multi-dimensional aspects of every human, namely the body, breath, and mind. The system of Yoga cultivates the experience of union which, when practiced regularly will result in greater integration of being, internal peacefulness, and clarity of mind. The system of Yoga is designed to cultivate health and happiness, a greater sense of self-awareness, and higher consciousness.
Yoga techniques, which include Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing practices), Savasana (relaxation), Dharana (concentration), Atma-Vichara (self-enquiry) and Dhyana (meditation), when practiced regularly will cultivate health and wellbeing (physical, emotional, mental and social).
Yoga is a holistic approach to life, with the purpose of strengthening the body, increasing flexibility and taking us on a journey from the physical to the more subtle realms of our being.
“Remember, yoga is not a religion or a cult. It’s a system of techniques that, if practiced correctly and with proper guidance, will generate radiant health, mental powers and with the first two steps of yoga (yama & niyama) spiritual power. One may then use all these powers to achieve success in career, family, and life.”
HISTORY OF YOGA
Yoga’s history is shrouded in obscurity and uncertainty due to the oral transmission of sacred texts as well as the secretive nature of the early teachings. The early writings were transcribed on fragile palm leaves that were easily damaged, destroyed, or lost. The development of yoga can be traced back to over 5,000 years ago, but some researchers suggest it may be 10,000 years old. Yoga has evolved since the beginning of time and can be divided into four main periods of innovation, practice and development.
Pre-Classical Yoga
The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda, in Northern India over 5,000 years ago. The Vedas were a collection of texts containing songs, mantras and rituals to be used by Brahmans, the Vedic priests. These mystic seers refined and developed their practices whilst documenting their beliefs and practices in the Upanishads, a collection of over 200 scriptures.
The most renowned of the Yogic scriptures is the Bhagavad-Gîtâ, composed around 500 B.C.
The Upanishads taught the sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga).
Classical Yoga
The Classical Period is defined by Pantanjalis’ Yoga Sutras, which took the often contradicting and miss mashed ideas, beliefs and techniques and refined them into the first systematic presentation of yoga. This text describes the path of RAJA Yoga. Patanjali organized the practice of yoga into an ‘eight limbed path’ containing the steps and stages towards obtaining Samadhi or enlightenment. Pantanjali is considered the father of yoga as we know it today and his Sutras still strongly influence most schools of modern Yoga.
Post-Classical Yoga
A few centuries after Patanjali, yoga masters created a system called Tantra Yoga which rejected the ancient Vedas and developed radical techniques to cleanse and rejuvenate the body and mind and prolong life. This exploration of more physical-spiritually connected practice is believed to be the inception of what we primarily think of as Yoga in the West: Hatha Yoga.
Modern Period
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Yoga masters began to travel to the West, attracting attention and followers. In 1893, Swami Vivekenanda introduced yoga through his lectures at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. In the1920’s and 30’s, T. Krishnamacharya and Swami Sivananda, amongst others, strongly promoted the practice of Hatha Yoga. Krishnamacharya produced three main students: B.K.S Iyengar, T.K.V Desikachar and Pattabhi Jois, who continued his legacy by increasing the popularity of Hatha Yoga around the world.
Yoga Today
Today, there are very many different systems of Yoga which no longer reflect all of the practices outlined in the original Hatha scriptures. The systems to choose from range from the deeply traditional to more contemporary forms of movement. The more posture-based systems have evolved over the past 120 years and are designed to connect to the modern human being.
No matter the school or system of practice, Yoga is a process of transformation. On our quest for liberation, our intention should be to transcend the physical aspect of our practice and awaken within us a different level of consciousness.
When we combine the ancient and modern practices our intention remains the same - to integrate the mind, body and breath in that divine union of Yoga; leading us, the practitioner, to a state of final liberation and connection with our innate and divine nature.