Brief History of Yoga

The history of Yoga has many uncertainties due to the secretive nature of the Yoga teachings. The early Yoga writings were written on the leaves of palm trees that were destroyed quite easily with the change of time. The actual development of Yoga can easily be traced back to about 5000 years. But according to some new researchers the history of Yoga dates back to 10,000 years. The history of Yoga can be divided into 4 main periods of practice, innovation and development. Since its inception the practitioners of Yoga aspired for the health benefits of Yoga.

Development of Yoga

About 5000 years ago the beginning of Yoga was developed by the Indus Valley civilization in the Northern part of India. In the Rig Veda the term Yoga for the first time was highlighted. In the Vedas all the songs, mantras and different rituals were depicted. All these were followed by the Brahman priests. Gradually Yoga was refined by the sages and the Brahmans who documented their beliefs and practices in the great Upanishads, a huge book containing more than 200 scriptures. The most well known Yogic scripture is the Bhagabad Geeta. The Upanishads followed the ritual sacrifice from the 4 Vedas and tried to internalize it, highlighting the sacrifice of the human ego through different methods, such as quest of self knowledge, practical action (Karma Yoga) and perfect wisdom (Jnana Yoga).

Classical period of Yoga

Before the classical period Yoga was nothing but a mixture of different ideas, techniques and beliefs. All these three contradicted each other. The Classical period of Yoga emerged with the Yoga Sutras of Maharishi Patanjali. These sutras are regarded as the systematic presentation of perfect Yoga. The sutras were written in the 2nd century. The text that elaborates the path of Raja Yoga or the ClassicalYoga.Patajali elaborated Yoga into an Eight Limbed Path or the Astanga Yoga. This Yoga contains the steps and different stages of how to obtain Samadhi or total enlightenment. It is Patanjali who is regarded as the father of Yogic Kriyas and his famous Yoga Sutras still influence the modern Yoga.

What happened next?

After the demise of Patanjali there emerged a group of Yoga teachers who implemented a new system of practices with the aim of rejuvenating the body and aspiring long life span along with the health benefits of Yoga. They turned down the teachings of the Vedas and took for granted the physical body as the mean of enlightenment. They implemented the Tantra Yoga to cleanse the body and mind to break the shackles that bind human beings to their physical existence. The exploration of such spiritual-physical relationships and body oriented practices led to the creation of such Yoga that is prevalent in the West as Hatha Yoga.

Modern Yoga

In the early 1900s the Yoga teachers started traveling the western countries attracting the followers. In this connection we may with humble reverence highlight the Parliament of Religion held in Chicago in the year 1893 where Swami Vivekananda won the hearts of the audience with his Yoga lectures and universal religion. During the 30s Hatha Yoga was successfully promoted in India by eminent Yoga gurus like Swami Shivananda and T. Krishnamacharya and others to find out the health benefits of Yoga. In 1924 Krishnamacharya opened the first Yoga school in Mysore and in 1936 Swami Shivananda founded holy Divine Life Society. Three students of Krisnamacharya continued his legacy after his demise and made hath Yoga Popular. Shivananda, a prolific author, wrote about 200 books on different Yoga and set up nine Ashrams and numerous Yoga centers in every corner of the world. In 1947 Indra Devi opened a Yoga center in Hollywood. Since that time many Indian and western Yoga gurus are trying hard to popularize Yoga. Hatha Yoga at this very period has different centers those are trying to highlight on different aspects of Yoga practice.

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