Yoga is one of the oldest practices known to humankind. Its origin is rooted in ancient sacred texts called the Vedas.
During the 1920s, as Indian nationalism surged a new yoga emerged. It blended ancient yogic teachings with European naturopathy and gymnastics. This new yoga emphasized the physical benefits of the practice.
Origins
The roots of yoga can be traced to northern India over 5,000 years ago. The word yoga first appears in the Rig Veda, a large body of ancient sacred texts and oldest layer of Hinduism scriptures. The text describes a system of physical prayer and meditation practiced by ascetics and hermits of the priestly Brahmin class. Yoga was slowly refined and developed by the Brahmin sages who documented their practices and beliefs in the Upanishads.
The term “Yoga” was also incorporated into warrior ideology, appearing in battle narratives such as the Mahabharata, India’s 200 BCE-400 CE national epic. The battle scenes in these stories are akin to the glorification of chariot warriors in the Greek Iliad. Yoga’s esoteric meaning is further explored in later mystical Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts from 200 BCE – 500 CE. This period was marked by the emergence of a number of yoga satellite traditions.
Development
Yoga has a long and varied history. It is most well-known for its physical postures and breathing exercises, but it is also a philosophy and practice that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.
The first seeds of yoga began to take shape during the Vedic Era in ancient priestly rituals meant to connect people with gods and goddesses. Later, it found a home in the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
During this time, the mystic seers developed practices that would dismantle the ego and help individuals find their inner truths. This led to the development of Hatha Yoga, a system that includes the eight limbs of yoga: ethics (yama), self-discipline (niyama), breath control (pranayama), physical postures (asana), concentration (dharana), meditation, absorption or trance (samadhi).
Yoga experienced a decline during the 19th century but regained popularity in the early 1900’s with Swami Vivekananda’s introduction to the Western world. He opened the first established yoga institute in 1918 and is known as the father of modern yoga.
Influence
Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that has evolved and changed over time. It is now part of our culture and society, with a variety of practices available to people of all ages and physical abilities. Yoga is also a popular method for physical health and well-being.
The word “yoga” is derived from two Sanskrit roots, yuj and gher, which mean “yoking” or “joining”. It first appeared in the Rig Veda, an ancient sacred text that dates back to over 5,000 years ago. Later, it was developed and refined by the rishis (sages) who documented their beliefs in the Upanishads, a series of Hindu philosophical-religious scriptures.
These mystical texts include a series of breathing and meditation techniques that are believed to bring the body and mind into balance. They also include the chanting of mantras, which are melodic phrases that have spiritual interpretations, such as “Aum” or “Om.”
Spread
Yoga has a deep connection to Hinduism, but also is a huge part of Buddhism and its meditation practices. It’s been around for a long time and has spread throughout the world along the Silk Road and through travellers who brought it back to their home countries.
In the Post-Classical Period, yoga’s focus changed from detaching oneself from reality to learning to accept life. This is when bhakti, tantra, and hatha yoga were created. This is also when the 700-verse poem called Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras was written which discussed how to reach spiritual enlightenment.
In the 1800s, yogis started to travel more and share their practice with others. This is when yoga really took off and became more accessible worldwide. Today, there are over 105 million Instagram posts using the #yoga hashtag and many more people practicing yoga outside of traditional studios and gyms. This is a testament to yoga’s ability to adapt and grow with its practitioners.