History of Yoga

Dating back to almost 3,000 B.C., Yoga is an Indian meditative art form. The term ‘Yoga’ is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ meaning control or unites. It is actually a meditative practice that involves both the physical and mental faculties of the body. Apart from Hinduism, the meditative aspects of Yoga are used in various other religions such as, Buddhism and Jainism. Yoga finds mention in some of the earliest and most revered books of Hinduism such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagvad Gita.

According to historians, it is difficult to pin point the origin of Yoga to a particular time or era. However, archeological evidence found at the Indus Valley Civilization excavations reveal that Yoga was practiced even back then. Archeologists have found stone seals that have figures in yogic positions embossed on them. But experts believe that Yoga existed much before the beginning of the earliest-known civilization. In fact, some are of the views that Yoga may have some links with the Shamanism practiced during the Stone Age period. This is primarily because both Shamanism and Yoga possess similar features.

In Hindu religion, the oldest written mention of Yoga is perhaps in the Vedas. This includes not just the earliest forms of yogic teachings but also the rituals that accompany them. These sermons and rituals were known to be practiced by rishis or ascetics. Masters of the art, the rishis would then preach the yogic teachings to the common people.

Scriptures such as the Bhagvad Gita and the Upanishads contain some of the significant teachings of Yoga. The Bhagvad Gita consists of three main types of Yoga. These include ‘Karma Yoga’ or the Yoga of action, the ‘Bhakti Yoga’ or the Yoga of devotion, and ‘Jnana Yoga’ or the Yoga of knowledge.

This is followed by creation of Yoga sutras. Written by Patanjali in the second century B.C., the Yoga Sutras are a definitive version of the art of Yoga. It contains 195 sutras based on the principles of Raja Yoga. The Yoga sutras also contain the eightfold path of Yoga. This eightfold path is as follows:

1.    Yama: This contains five abstentions namely, non-violence, non-lying, non-covetousness, non-sensuality and non-possessiveness

2.    Niyama: which means five observances including purity, contentment, austerity, study, and surrender to God

3.    Asana: Refers to the seated position used during yogic meditations

4.     Pranayam: Restraining one’s breath

5.    Pratyahara: Withdrawal the five senses from any external object

6.    Dharana: Refers to the ability to concentrate on a single object

7.    Dhyana: Refers to meditation that is deep in nature

8.    Samadhi: Means the ability to assimilate one’s consciousness with the object of meditation.

There is ample proof that the yogic teachings were absorbed by several other religions since the Vedic period. One such example is that of Buddhism. Lord Buddha is said to have started preaching Yoga to his disciples, way back in the sixth century B.C. he was the first Buddhist who was also a follower of yogic teachings.