Yoga has a 5000 years old history, even though it is such a diverse exercise that has been interconnected with spirituality, ideology, and exercise in the past, highlighting etymological roots has proven challenging. Initial yoga inscriptions were translated on fragile palm leaves which were prone to damage, torn down, or ended up lost. The long and illustrious history of yoga and the origin of Yoga can be divided into 4 major periods of innovation, training, and growth.
What is Yoga?
Yoga originates from the Sanskrit word Yuj which means to join or to unite. The association is not your nose touching your knees or your toes, it’s an association of the mind with your body and connecting your individual conscious experience to the cosmic consciousness. Lord Shiva is regarded as the first yogi and it is said that he passed his knowledge and learning to seven men known as Saptarashis and they spread the knowledge in seven different directions, encompassing a wide range of areas demonstrating that people can transform much further than their physical constraints.
Pre Classical
The Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India has origins in yoga, yoga was first mentioned in the Rig Veda between 5000 years ago. Vedas consist of mantras, bhajan, and rituals collection to be used by the Brahmins. The most famous yoga holy writ is Bhagavad Gita which was written around 500 B.C.E. The Upanishads integrated the Vedic concept of ritual sacrifice, teaching ego sacrifice through personality, initiative (karma yoga), and knowledge (jnana yoga).
Classical
During the pre-classical period, Yoga was a mixture of differing possibilities, opinions, and methods. Patanjali Yoga Sutras was the first methodical demonstration of Yoga that defines the classical period.
Post-Classical
When Yoga was presented to the west in the early 19th century, many of its eastern lessons and viewpoints progressively became modern. During this period many teachers and gurus traveled to the West. Swami Sivananda wrote over 200 books on yoga and principles and made significant contributions to the post-classical yoga era. Tulsidas and Purandaradasa also made contributions to yoga scientific knowledge. During this time, Hatha yoga became popular. The majority of the asanas we exercise today are from Hatha yoga.
Modern
Swami Vivekananda was majorly capable of spreading yoga throughout Modern societies. Swami Vivekananda impressed the audience member at the Parliament of Religion 1983 in Chicago with his recitation on Yoga. Hatha Yoga was actively promoted by Swami Vivekananda and T. Krishnamacharya. In 1924 T. Krishnamacharya established the first yoga school in Mysore.
Ancient Yoga vs. Modern Yoga viewpoint
People have been living lives that were bound up with nature. People were in their normal habitat when they progressed. There was a conception of the body’s and mind’s mutually beneficial relationship. Deflections and twists are only possible when both are in unity. Exhalation control and self-awareness are essential for this.
The concept of using yoga for disease treatment, physical ability, and stress relief is a modern and rather superficial viewpoint. Yoga was not only used to cure diseases earlier. For example, the emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene was also observable in earlier civilizations. However, this did not only relate to rubbing, and cleaning.
What Are the Advantages of Yoga?
Yoga is more than just doing yoga moves and relaxing; it also helps you achieve inner peace and tranquility. Some of the advantages of practicing yoga are listed below.
- Yoga aids in weight loss.
- Yoga aids in stress reduction.
- Yoga improves flexibility.
- Yoga improves cardiovascular health.
- Yoga improves breathing.
- Yoga aids in metabolism maintenance.
