Instead of all the controversies regarding the exact time period, the history of yoga ranges from four to eight thousand years back to the present time and almost all researchers agree that the birth place of yoga was Indus valley civilization. It was initially developed as an integral part of Hindu philosophy.

Later it was absorbed in Buddhist and Jain texts and then traveled through modern suffusion into material life. Nonetheless to say, its implementation still stands straight in the test of time. This article focuses on different timelines of yoga and yogic culture as described by many historians and researchers.

Few scholars believe that the root of yogic practice did not belong to the Vedic age; it was rather originated in the domain of pre-Vedic, non-Aryan ages following which it was explained in the great Vedic shastras. In fact, the proponents of this theory put great emphasis on pre-Vedic texts in the support of their claim.

However, many researchers like David Frawley argue that yoga and yogic culture were first illustrated in the Vedic shastras, which did not carry any pre-Vedic roots. Those who believe that history of yoga initiates from this point estimate the span as nearly 4000 thousand years. Researcher David Frawley asserted that it is the Rig Veda itself which can trace back to the evolution of yoga and yogic practices.

The detailed illustration of yoga and yogic culture appeared in the Upanishads. According to Maitrayaniya Upanishad (ca. 200-300BCE), yoga is principally characterized as Shadanga Yoga which is segmented under 6 interrelated but unique disciplines – Pranayama (breathing exercise), Pratyahara (sensory inhibition), Dhyana (meditation), Dharana (focus), Tarka (investigation) and Samadhi (ecstasy).

In the Katha Upanishad, yogic practices is expounded as the tool which combines all the five instruments of knowledge in addition to the steadiness of mind and intellect for attaining the Supreme State or Higher Consciousness. As lined in the history of yoga, the practice ensures management of senses by directing them towards one goal, that is, to understand the law of nature in the perspective of universal force.

The yogic sutras as explained in Patanjali Shastra are the compilations of yogic culture and practices that are chiefly Raja Yoga. As the history of yoga states, the Patanjali Sutras had been codified during 2nd century BC and 3rd century BC in which an adherence to eight disciplines was clearly illustrated. Inherently it was constituted Ashtanga Yoga which was implemented as a mode to soothe one’s mind and combine it to the infinite force in nature.

These eight disciplines not only put emphasis on systematic traditional ethical principles adopted by the Bhagavad-Gita, but also expounded the practice and principles of Raja Yoga in details. Hatha Yoga Pradipika is another form yoga mostly appreciated in the western culture. This form was advocated by Swami Swatamarama during 15th century in India.

Since early twentieth century, the yogic practice has taken new shape as opposed to the statements derived from traditional history of yoga. It is mainly because of the fact that the traditional practice requires lifelong devotion and adherence of authoritarian sacrifices, which may not be possible to attain for everyone in such a materialistic world. So the current trend stresses on the holistic approach of the yogic practice and its power to strengthen mind and body, which is developed on the basis of traditional practice, however, customized with simple techniques for easy implementation.

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Yoga - Practices and History

Yoga comes from the word “to yoke”. The real meaning of yoga is based upon the realization that we exist as particles which are distinct from material elements, that is, we are spirit souls. The fact that we are spirit souls point to the existence of a Supreme Soul, whom we can be united with in love, will, and purpose. You cannot be be unified with someone who doesn’t exist, so obviously both the Supreme Soul and spirit exist. Hatha yoga is a practice that folk to keep their bodies in shape and calm their minds. Hatha yoga is a mind and body discipline you see. All the components of Yoga were inherited form the practice of Hinduism. Ethnic principles, and body beliefs, together with non secular steerage and philsophy are just some of the features associated with Yoga. Yoga is typically taught, by someone called “guru”, or teacher. Their intentions are to teach people the easy way to get a quieter state of mind thru meditation. Quiet respiring and chanting’mantras’ are practiced to help the person get to the ‘quiet’ mental state.

Why practice yoga

Yoga is meant to lead an individual to better health, and a calmer, more emotional contentment. Mental lucidity and a joy in living are the main thoughts imposed on a person who practices Yoga. The steps in Yoga at last should lead to a sophisticated state of meditation called ’samadhi’.

The goals of yoga

The goal of yoga is to bring people closer to God. Yoga is also helpful folk get a deeper sense of knowledge, compassion, and discernment. In some of the farther Western states, individualism is the strongest emphasis, so yoga would help people there get a better meaning in themselves.

Yoke, or Yoga

The word ‘yoga’ derives from a holy root of ‘Sanskrit’, which in English means ‘yoke’. The general interpretation of yoga is a ‘union of the individual with the Original cause. Again, that does not mean that the spirit souls become the original cause. You still maintain your individuality.

Yoga and Meditation

Yogis also meditate. Doing yoga is very beneficial as it helps you look within yourself and at the same time, relaxes you. Meditation, in other words, is good not just for achieving inner peace, satisfaction, and happiness, but also for relaxation and stress relief. Wai Lana remains to be one of the best and most straight forward yoga teachers today.

Yoga’s beginning

It is difficult to pinpoint where or how yoga actually begun. A bit of history on yoga comes from the Indus Valley Civilization that was around somewhere in between 6 or 7,000 years back. The earliest accounts of yoga were documented in the Rig Veda. This was a certain type of writing used back around 1500 to two thousand BC. However, the full description of yoga was first found in the ‘Upinasads’ composed round the eighth century before Christ. The main thought of the Upinasads was that they constituted the end or conclusion of the ‘traditional body of spiritual wisdom’. The Upinasads used to offer sacrifices and hold certain types of rites to please the Supreme Soul.

Yoga today

With all the different types and practices of yoga, one person has so many types to pick from. Whether they want a more tranquil inner self, a stronger sense of well-being, or a body which will be put into better shape. Yoga is good. Yoga is a holistic practice, and a science. While some practices are argued about, all have one thing in common, it is practiced frequently around the world by many and it is growing more popular each day. You can find out more from Wai Lana Yoga. .

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In the history of yoga we find yoga exercises and philosophies are practiced by the Indus to instigate spiritual growth and awareness. The yogis promote inner unification with the finite jiva or transitory self and with the infinite Brahman or eternal self. Yogis usually believe that God co-exists with all of reality, manifesting itself to all living things that breathe life, from humans to flora and fauna. Yoga views man’s problem and suffering in terms of ignorance. Human beings simply bound themselves to materialistic things and forgetting to serve God, the source of all things. That’s why humans need enlightenment or an experience of union with God.

Earliest archaeological evidence indicated Yoga’s existence and can be found in engraved stone seals which illustrate figures of yoga positions. The stone seals depict yoga’s existence dating around 3000 B.C. However, archaeologists and scholars, have reasons to suppose that yoga existed long before that and traced its origins in Stone Age Shamanism. Both shamanism and yoga have comparable characteristics predominantly in their efforts to polish the human condition at that time. Both methods aspire to treat community members and the practitioners act as chief religious mediators or gurus.

A number of steatite seals were unearthed at Indus Valley Civilization sites describing figures in a certain yoga position. These meditation-like postures are forms of ritual discipline, signifying an originator of yoga. There are particular figures that were discovered in the core of Mature Harappan relics that indicate Harappan devotion to ritual discipline and focus and that the yoga poses may have been used by both humans and their deities. Some type of link between the Indus Valley seals and later yoga and meditation practices is backed by many other researchers.

These archeological discoveries allow people to cogitate with some good reason that an ample range of yoga activities was already accepted by the pre-Aryan India people. A seal recently revealed in the Cholistan desert evidently depicts a “yogi”. The puzzling Indus Valley seal images display figures in a position known in hatha yoga as Mulabhandasana. The most commonly known of these images was named the Pashupati seal by John Marshall who uncovered the artifact and who believed that it represented a “proto-Shiva” figure.

The genesis of the 200-scriptured Upanishads describes the inner vision of reality ensuing from Brahman devotion. The Upanishads further elucidate the teachings of the Vedas. Yoga also shares some attributes not only with Hinduism but also with Buddhism as well. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, studied yoga position and obtained enlightenment at the age of 35.

The genesis of the 200-scriptured Upanishads describes the inner vision of reality ensuing from Brahman devotion. The Upanishads further elucidate the teachings of the Vedas. Yoga also shares some attributes not only with Hinduism but also with Buddhism as well. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, studied yoga and obtained enlightenment at the age of 35.

Later, around 500 B.C., the Bhagavad-Gita or Lord’s Song was created and this is currently the oldest known yoga scripture. The Yoga Sutra, composed of 195 aphorisms or sutras, was written by Patanjali around the second century attempting to classify and even out yoga at that time. During the 1960’s, Hindu gurus gave further details about the system of yoga position and its philosophies.

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