The word yoga first appears in the Upanishads, a set of text books on philosophy of the scriptures- the Vedas. The Upanishads define yoga as a way to control mind, body and one that helps cause overall well-being. In the early civilization of India, yoga was considered a spiritual practice while praising gods. But practicing yoga ended up in exercises for many people around the globe due to its benefits. This article explains how yoga underwent changes since the stone age to modern age.
For easy understanding, evolution of yoga might be divided into four periods:
The Rig vedic period
Artifacts found in India reveal that yoga was in practice since 3000 B.C. The Rig Veda mentions the oldest yoga techniques to excel limitations of brain and it was an intensive spiritual practice. During this period, yoga was dedicated to life in harmony.
The pre-classical period
During this period, development of yoga techniques were found in another set of books of the Upanishads. For the first time, the word yoga occurs in the Upanishads. The Upanishads present yoga as a path to control the senses, which leads to the supreme state of mind.
The pre-classical age provides evidence of yoga practiced in Buddhism and Jainism. From the available evidences, it was found that during sixth century B.C., Buddha stressed meditation and yoga postures in his disciples.
The classical period
This period was marked by standardization of principles of yoga. Sage Patanjali (second century B. C.) of India in his Yoga Sutras explains the rules of yoga. Patanjali is considered the “father of yoga” for his contribution to the cause of making the principles. Patanjali's yogic postures are widely popular even today.
Patanjali explains eight principles of yoga, namely yama (control), asana (posture), niyama (rules), pratyahara (sensory withdrawal in preparation for meditation), dharana (concentration), pranayama (breathing), dhyana (meditation), samadhi (consciousness). Patanjali believes that these eight paths could help one separate body and spirit to cleanse himself.
The post-classical period
The post-classical period opened with creation of new yoga teaching techniques. These techniques help improve physical health. Experts of this period have developed tantra yoga to cleanse body and mind, which led to the development of hatha yoga as we know it today. Hatha yoga is a path to discipline, posture, gesture, breathing, etc. It is considered a stress reducing yoga practice.
Yoga has evolved over centuries. Today, in its certain form, yoga is practiced at high atmospheric temperature maintained artificially. Such yoga is said to bring in certain benefits. Likewise, in the years to come, some other forms might develop. All this is because of the changing needs of people - physical, mental and spiritual.
For easy understanding, evolution of yoga might be divided into four periods:
The Rig vedic period
Artifacts found in India reveal that yoga was in practice since 3000 B.C. The Rig Veda mentions the oldest yoga techniques to excel limitations of brain and it was an intensive spiritual practice. During this period, yoga was dedicated to life in harmony.
The pre-classical period
During this period, development of yoga techniques were found in another set of books of the Upanishads. For the first time, the word yoga occurs in the Upanishads. The Upanishads present yoga as a path to control the senses, which leads to the supreme state of mind.
The pre-classical age provides evidence of yoga practiced in Buddhism and Jainism. From the available evidences, it was found that during sixth century B.C., Buddha stressed meditation and yoga postures in his disciples.
The classical period
This period was marked by standardization of principles of yoga. Sage Patanjali (second century B. C.) of India in his Yoga Sutras explains the rules of yoga. Patanjali is considered the “father of yoga” for his contribution to the cause of making the principles. Patanjali's yogic postures are widely popular even today.
Patanjali explains eight principles of yoga, namely yama (control), asana (posture), niyama (rules), pratyahara (sensory withdrawal in preparation for meditation), dharana (concentration), pranayama (breathing), dhyana (meditation), samadhi (consciousness). Patanjali believes that these eight paths could help one separate body and spirit to cleanse himself.
The post-classical period
The post-classical period opened with creation of new yoga teaching techniques. These techniques help improve physical health. Experts of this period have developed tantra yoga to cleanse body and mind, which led to the development of hatha yoga as we know it today. Hatha yoga is a path to discipline, posture, gesture, breathing, etc. It is considered a stress reducing yoga practice.
Yoga has evolved over centuries. Today, in its certain form, yoga is practiced at high atmospheric temperature maintained artificially. Such yoga is said to bring in certain benefits. Likewise, in the years to come, some other forms might develop. All this is because of the changing needs of people - physical, mental and spiritual.
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