History Of Yoga

History Of Yoga: Then And Now

When trying to lose some weight and trying to be fit, one of the new ways to do them is through the practice of yoga. We may see Hollywood stars, athletes, and other celebrities are using it as a way for them to lose some pounds, relax and meditate, increase their flexibility and dexterity or get back in to shape. It may be an “it” thing nowadays that almost all fitness centers in the country are hosting yoga classes for every gym member to take advantage of.

But really, amidst this entire craze about yoga, it is important to know about where did it came from and how did it came about. Understanding the history of yoga could be very important for those who are interested in learning the about it.

Thousands Of Years Ago

The history of yoga started out eight thousand years ago and practices of it could be traced from the people of Indus Valley civilization and the Vedic civilization. But there are also findings pertaining to the history of yoga that it has already been in existence way before the establishment of the Vedas in the Indian subcontinent. Because of these findings, the history of yoga may go back way before eight thousand years, depending on the view of the historian and his interpretation of the Mohenjo-daro seals.

Some historians may believe that the history of yoga only dates back from four thousand years ago because of the Vedic shastras or the Hindu religious texts which yoga was clearly expounded. But some Vedic scholar may say that you could trace the practice of yoga to the oldest Hindu text itself which is the Rig Veda and it clearly speaks about yoking the mind and insight to the Sun of Truth. The greatest teachers of yoga include Vasishta, Yajnavalkya, and Jaigishavya which were all famous Vedic sages.

The main purpose of practicing yoga is to unite the mind, body, and soul in the cosmic one and commentaries on it could be found in the important texts of Hinduism, Upanishads or Vedanta, and sayings on the Vedas.

Yoga Today

Today, yoga has become a very popular in the western countries but their practices became purely physical regimen devoid of its original purpose. Right now, there are estimated thirty million Americans who are practicing “hatha yoga”, or the most popular practice of yoga based on the sage of the fifteenth century India.

The use of yoga by its Western followers have taken a less spiritual approach to its practice and clearly focuses on the physical part of it which are stretching and breathing. Though the practice of yoga may be a religion to some, most practitioners of it in the West separate the practice from its spiritual goal and take it only as an exercise regimen or an overall practice to make you keep your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.