The History of Yoga – Where Did Yoga Come From- By SHIVAA NGO

No one knows exactly how old yoga is. It originated as long as 10,000 to 5000 years ago. it absolutely was passed down orally and has skilled much evolution. The earliest relevancy Yoga was found when archeological excavations were made within the Indus valley – an out of this world powerful and influential civilization within the first antique period. 

This sophisticated culture developed around the river and also the long gone Sarasvati river in northern India, on the border towards Pakistan and had sewage systems, baths as early as 2,600 BC. While many religions still want to make yoga their own creation, it belongs to any or all or any folks. it’s many facets which is able to be found within the Hindu and Buddhist faith, but the elemental principals are universal and supported “the eight limbs of yoga”, which could be found altogether religions. The History of Yoga is defined as four periods: Vedic Period, Pre-Classical Period, Classical Period, Post Classical Period and also the trendy Period History of Yoga Yoga is claimed to be as old as civilization itself but the oral transmission of the practice, has left several gaps in its history. 

Earliest archeological evidence regarding yoga’s existence is found in Mohenjodaro seals excavated from the Indus valley, depicting a figure seated in an exceedingly traditional yoga pose. The stone seals place Yoga’s existence around 3000 B.C. The Vedic Period The next reference to yoga is found within the Rig Veda, the oldest writing within the globe. The Vedas, dating back to 1500 and 1200 BC, are a gaggle of hymns, mantras and brahmanical rituals that praised a greater being. Yoga is noted within the book as yoking or discipline with none mention of a practice or some way to understand this discipline. The Atharva Veda too mentions yoga with a relevance controlling the breath. Pre-Classical Period The creation of the Upanishads, between 800 to 500 BC, marks the number called Pre-Classical Yoga.

The word Upanishad means to require a seat near and implies that the only real way a student could learn the truths inscribed within the texts was by sitting near a guru. Two yoga disciplines gained prominence at this time: karma yoga (path of action or ritual) and jnana yoga (path of information or study of the scriptures).Both paths led to liberation or enlightenment. The Bhagavad-Gita, composed around 500 BC later added the bhakti yoga (the path of devotion) to this path. It was at the time of the Upanishads that the concept of ritual sacrifice was internalized and became the concept of sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action and wisdom. This remains a really important a component of yoga’s philosophy today. just like the Vedas, the Upanishads contained nothing of what we’d term as yoga asana practice today. the first and possibly most important presentation of yoga came within the following period. Classical Period Written some time within the second century, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras created a milestone within the history of yoga, defining what’s now cited because the Classical Period. 

This set of 195 sutras (aphorisms) is taken under consideration to be the first systematic presentation of yoga, and Patanjali is revered because the daddy of yoga. Strict adherence to which could lead one to enlightenment. The sutras still function a suggestion for living within the globe, although modern yoga not sees the requirement to master the eight limbs in succession. Post-Classical Period It was during this era that the concept of the body as a temple was rekindled and yogis designed a practice to rejuvenate the body and to prolong life. it had been not necessary to escape from reality; instead the most focus was more living within the instant and on the right path. The exploration of the spiritual and so the physical halves and also the must harmonize the mind, body and spirit led to the creation of Tantra yoga, to cleanse the body and mind, and to yoga within the ninth or tenth century. 

Modern Period Yoga in its present avatar owes plenty to learned gurus who traveled west to spread the benefits of yoga, or researched and created different schools of yoga. In 1893 Swami Vivekanada addressed the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago and spoke about Raja yoga. Swami Sivanada wrote several books on yoga and philosophy and introduced the five principles of yoga. Today there are limitless styles of yoga, all supported ingredients from the varied paths of yoga (see: The Paths of Yoga). Yoga in America has been more focused on the Asana side of the practice, but a true yogi knows there’s far more to the experience. I always advise students to try and do different styles and you may find one that provides you the foremost enrichment. Enjoy you spiritual journey…