It might now be popular simply as an exercise routine, but yoga originated as a group of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines in ancient India. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’. According to Yogic scriptures, practicing yoga results in the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness, bringing about a perfect harmony between the mind and the body and man and nature. Yoga is now a part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
It began in the Indus-Saraswati civilisation more than 5,000 years ago. The Rig Veda is the first text that mentions the word yoga. It was later streamlined and developed by Brahmin priests and sages and documented in the Upanishads which contain over 200 scriptures. The Upanishads derived the idea of ritual sacrifice and modified it, teaching the sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga). The Bhagvad Gita, composed around 500 BC, is replete with details about yoga. There are various schools of yoga that are followed. The Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali — written by Patanjali — which became hugely popular in the West, were written in the first half of the first millennium. Hatha yoga, another popular yoga form, came around the 11th century and has its origins in Tantra. The Hatha yoga (which focuses on breathing and calming down the mind), the Vinyasa yoga (which is faster paced and more fitness oriented), the Bikram yoga (founded by Bikram Choudhury, it is a form of hot yoga which is done in a hot environment to mimic the climate of India), the Ashtanga yoga (based on six series’ of poses that increase in difficulty, allowing you to work at your own pace) are extremely popular among yoga enthusiasts. Iyengar yoga, developed by BKS Iyengar, the Kundalini yoga — which is mentally and physically challenging — and the Jivamukti yoga (which is a Vinyasa style of yoga) are also popular.
It describes the Raja yoga which is often referred to as classical yoga which consists of an eight-limbed path that lists a series of steps and stages that lead towards samaadhi or enlightenment.
Tantra yoga was later developed as a series of practices to rejuvenate the body and to prolong life. It comprises radical techniques to cleanse the body and mind.
Yoga travelled to the West in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and it all began with Swami Vivekananda's speech at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He spoke mostly about Raja yoga, which is known as the yoga of the mind, which is practiced through meditation and mental discipline. Vivekananda also spoke about the Eight-Limbed Yogic Path which have been described in the Yoga Sutras. These include :
yamas (restraint), niyamas (observances), asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samaadhi.
The Origin Of Yoga
It began in the Indus-Saraswati civilisation more than 5,000 years ago. The Rig Veda is the first text that mentions the word yoga. It was later streamlined and developed by Brahmin priests and sages and documented in the Upanishads which contain over 200 scriptures. The Upanishads derived the idea of ritual sacrifice and modified it, teaching the sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga). The Bhagvad Gita, composed around 500 BC, is replete with details about yoga. There are various schools of yoga that are followed. The Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali — written by Patanjali — which became hugely popular in the West, were written in the first half of the first millennium. Hatha yoga, another popular yoga form, came around the 11th century and has its origins in Tantra. The Hatha yoga (which focuses on breathing and calming down the mind), the Vinyasa yoga (which is faster paced and more fitness oriented), the Bikram yoga (founded by Bikram Choudhury, it is a form of hot yoga which is done in a hot environment to mimic the climate of India), the Ashtanga yoga (based on six series’ of poses that increase in difficulty, allowing you to work at your own pace) are extremely popular among yoga enthusiasts. Iyengar yoga, developed by BKS Iyengar, the Kundalini yoga — which is mentally and physically challenging — and the Jivamukti yoga (which is a Vinyasa style of yoga) are also popular.
How Did It Evolve?
Yoga started as a mix of various ideas, beliefs and techniques. Patanjali's Yoga Sutra first gave yoga an order. It describes the Raja yoga which is often referred to as classical yoga which consists of an eight-limbed path that lists a series of steps and stages that lead towards samaadhi or enlightenment. Tantra yoga was later developed as a series of practices to rejuvenate the body and to prolong life. It comprises radical techniques to cleanse the body and mind. Yoga travelled to the West in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and it all began with Swami Vivekananda's speech at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He spoke mostly about Raja yoga, which is known as the yoga of the mind, which is practiced through meditation and mental discipline. Vivekananda also spoke about the Eight-Limbed Yogic Path which have been described in the Yoga Sutras. These include yamas (restraint), niyamas (observances), asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samaadhiTypes Of Yoga
Yoga started as a mix of various ideas, beliefs and techniques. Patanjali's Yoga Sutra first gave yoga an order.It describes the Raja yoga which is often referred to as classical yoga which consists of an eight-limbed path that lists a series of steps and stages that lead towards samaadhi or enlightenment.
Tantra yoga was later developed as a series of practices to rejuvenate the body and to prolong life. It comprises radical techniques to cleanse the body and mind.
Yoga travelled to the West in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and it all began with Swami Vivekananda's speech at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago. He spoke mostly about Raja yoga, which is known as the yoga of the mind, which is practiced through meditation and mental discipline. Vivekananda also spoke about the Eight-Limbed Yogic Path which have been described in the Yoga Sutras. These include :
yamas (restraint), niyamas (observances), asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samaadhi.
0 Comments
Post a Comment