The Origins and History of Yoga

Yoga is a comprehensive system of mind/body techniques that is thousands of years old. Its techniques are designed to improve physical and mental health and well being, and include such practices as physical postures and stretching, breathing exercises (pranayama), focused concentration, meditation, visualization, and chanting (mantra) (Desikachar, 1999; van der Kolk, 2014).

Yoga is an ancient Hindu spiritual meditation practice that some believe dates back to 3300 BCE, during the Indus Valley Civilization. Modern wellness practices use yoga as part of a cardio routine and as a therapy to alleviate health disorders such as

The art of doing yoga we know today originated 5000 years ago in India. The infinite cognitive, physiological, and neurological benefits of yoga have been found and proven effective in regaining energy, balance, and health. Practicing this ancient body art, even just for few short minutes, will enable an individual to regain balance and physical energy. Regular practice of yoga can bring improvement in health, in mind and body, increased energy, well-being, and

Almost fitness and gym center offers a class in yoga, this workout performs a series of flexibility and strenght- building poses. Yoga is more than just an exercise, it is also a spiritual discipline with a long history. It is originated in India and spread in western world as an exercise practice that links to our mind, body and breath. But do you aware of the realness and rawness on the art of yoga? Many yogis doesn't know about this, they just do it for the sake of healthy living. It is important for us to have knowledge in the art of yoga to embrace and embodied the teaching and doing the art of

After Vivekananda, there is a popularization of Yoga in the U.S., as a result of the additional work of several masters who came from India, and Americans. Rama Tirtha, Yogendra Mastamani, Ramacharaka, Selvarajan Yesusian, B.K.S. Iyengar and Krisnamacharya, are among those who come from india; Richard Hittleman, and Paul Brunton are examples of Americans who sympathizes with yoga and work to make it popular in this the U.S. (Feuerstein, 2006).

Yoga emerged over five thousand years ago, known as the pre classical era, and is believed to be developed by the Indus- Sarasvati civilization in Northern India; although some researchers believe Yoga is over ten thousand years old. The old sacred text, Rig Verda, is the oldest scripture that yoga has been found in. The Upanishads took the idea of ritual sacrifice from the Verdas, however they internalized it; this meaning to sacrifice the ego through self knowledge. In the post classical era yoga masters abandoned the ancient Verdas and embraced a new style that involved cleansing the mind and body; breaking the bond of our physical existence. This type of yoga is primarily thought of as Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga has been proven to help not

As time passed, so did the techniques and thoughts of people before them. During the 1700’s, yoga masters created a form of yoga called Tantra yoga “to try to cleanse the body and mind to break the knots that bind us to our physical experience.”(Burgin, 2011). This type of yoga is believed to have led to the primary type of yoga in the western world which is known as Hatha Yoga. In the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, yoga began to expand even more, attracting a wider variety of followers. In the 1920’s Hatha Yoga began to become very popular in the western culture, with the majority of it being within India. This was due the strong promotion from T. Krishnamacharya who educated many people about the benefits of yoga. He would later form the Hatha

Hindus practice different types of yoga that are all focused to improve meditation and to help with their path to a richer spiritual life.

The Yoga Bible is a very useful book that you should be having. This book has nothing to do with religion as many people would think. It is basically a handy reference guide to most of the yoga poses as well as how to perform them. Here is a quick review of the Yoga Bible that will help you to know moré about this unique book.

The yoga that most studios practice is derived from an ancient Indian practice that has roots in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. However, many yoga teachers disregard the religious aspect of yoga and focus more on the self-discipline and physical aspects of the exercise. Yoga usually is practiced in a Dojo styled setting, with relaxing background music in comfortable clothing and on Yoga mats. It is used to focus oneself, as well as to build strength and self discipline.

inwards and become one with themselves in a more practical way. Yoga take the exoteric the outside, and unites it with the esoteric, the internal knowledge. However, through the process of westernization, yoga has now become “secular yoga.” Meaning, it is for the fit rather than for the spiritual. North America and Western Europe focus on making money, raising a family, and staying healthy. These societies have departed from the Bible and have turned to a more “practical” way of life. Western yoga is sometimes called “Hollywood Yoga” (says Usharbudh Arya). This is because the people who do it just want to stay looking young and recharged. It is directed towards aesthetically beautiful people who “‘desire a slim figure, a young body and a long

This form of yoga was brought about by Calcutta native, Bikram Choudhury. Born in 1946, he began, and excelled, in yoga education at the young age of four.

Yoga is a discipline both involving physical and mental control that originated in India. The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word, "yug", meaning union and it means the joining of the individual spirit with the universal spirit. The type of yoga known as Hatha Yoga, ("Ha"- sun, "tha"-moon) is what is most commonly practiced and this yoga involves the path of the mind and body and is the most physical. There are eight limbs or steps of Hatha Yoga, the first step being the five Yamas. There are five yamas and these concern your behavior to the world.

a. Yoga was first introduced to the west in the late 1800s as an eastern

The term “Yoga” has been derived from ye Sanskrit word, “Yuji” which means union. Through this exercise, a union of the mind and body with a sense of harmony and consciousness is achieved. Yoga is also universal. Yoga is used by many to help with health issues, and an overall feeling of wellness. Even known to help with some cancers. Yoga is not used just for religious purposes. Yoga has been said to have originated in India, before the coming of Christ.