| We may have been practicing yoga for quite some | | | | them live in divine harmony. |
| time now, but to understand it better we have to look | | | | Later on, practice for experiencing greater state of |
| further into its origins and roots. An overview on yoga | | | | consciousness is improved by the traditions of |
| history will help us appreciate the yoga tradition better. | | | | Upanishads. During the 6th century B.C., a Buddhist |
| Although, some researchers say that yoga dated as | | | | prince studied yoga and achieved enlightenment at the |
| early as the first Indian civilizations, there is no proof to | | | | age of 35. He is now known as Buddha or the |
| this. | | | | enlightened one. At 5th century B.C., a yoga scripture |
| Yoga history has traces in some Indian religions. In | | | | was created and known as Bhagavad-Gita or the |
| Hinduism, Shamanism, Jainism and Buddhism yoga | | | | Lord's song. This scripture is dedicated entirely to yoga |
| means spiritual discipline. The earliest sign of a yoga | | | | and includes some yoga history information that tells us |
| practice can be seen in Shamanism. Both yoga and | | | | that it has already been an ancient practice, even |
| shamanism has similar goals that focus on the effort | | | | before the creation of the Bhagavad-Gita. |
| to improve the state of body and mind. Another | | | | The creation of the Yoga Sutra marks the classical |
| similarity they both have is that they try to improve the | | | | period of yoga history. It defines and standardizes |
| overall health conditions of each member. However, | | | | classical yoga. From this, we can find eight underlying |
| this does not mean that to practice yoga is to enter a | | | | principles of yoga and these are: |
| new religion. Yoga is for all and is universal. No matter | | | | - Yama |
| what are your beliefs, you can still practice yoga. | | | | - Asanas |
| Yoga history has also left some solid clues or hints | | | | - Samadhi |
| behind like artifacts and documents depicting yoga | | | | - Niyama |
| postures. After a careful study, researchers have | | | | - Samadhi |
| found out that these items dates back in 3000 B.C. In | | | | - Dhyana |
| the oldest existing text, the Rig-veda, has evidences | | | | - Pratyahara |
| that it utilize some yoga principles. Rig-veda is | | | | - Pranayama |
| compilation of hymns that include prayers for divine | | | | The writer of Yoga Sutra, Patanjali, focused on |
| harmony and greater being. Rig-veda is the sacred | | | | meditation setting aside asanas and so are his |
| scripture of Brahmanism that is the basis of present | | | | followers. It was later on that the balance between the |
| day Hinduism. It also contains the oldest known yogic | | | | body and mind has been rekindled. |
| teachings. | | | | During the post classical period of yoga, the 8 principles |
| During the time of Brahmanism, the yoga practice is | | | | has been reduced to 5 and continued to be practiced |
| now widely used by Vedic people or Vedas followers. | | | | by yoga followers. Up to this day, yoga continues to |
| This is the clear part of the yoga history. Vedas | | | | spread and develop not just in India but also throughout |
| followers rely on to dedicated Vedic Yogis to help | | | | the world. |