Where Did Yoga Come From & Where is it Now?

The History of Yoga

The earliest records of Yoga's origin are a little fuzzy due to the fact that its teachings were mainly passed down by word of mouth. The first writings were recorded on Palm leaves. Obviously, these didn't last very long because leaves are so fragile. They were then written in a well known, sacred language called, Sanskrit, or secretive spiritual texts; which also got a little twisted in the translation. There are about four main periods when people use to talk about the history of Yoga. These were known as; Preclassical, Classical, Postclassical, and Modern.

Preclassical Yoga is most associated with the Indus Saravat civilizations. This civilization derived from northern India about 5,000 years ago. An article published by Georg Fuerstien stated that "Western Scholars are starting to argue that yoga didn't start until years later." The other theory is that it originated around 500 B.C.; in the time of the Gautama Buddha. There isn't enough evidence to fully prove either theory, but we can all agree that Yoga has been here for centuries. The Yoga teachings and practices learned from the Indus Saravat civilizations focuses on the thought that their enlightenment was reached through high levels of intuition, or a very powerful mind. They wrote in a sacred text known as the Rig Veda. This form of Yoga is more well known as Vedic Yoga, or deriving from Veda scriptures. Soon after, this form of practice was developed further by the Brahmans and Rishis, otherwise known as the Hindu priests. These refined practices were written in Upanishads. 

The Upanishads script took the idea of the Vedas' ritual sacrifices and changed it to mean more of a personal sacrifice. It became sacrifices of one's ego through practices of self-knowledge, actions, and wisdom. These thoughts and teachings brought us right into the Classical Yoga period. At this point, there were tons of different beliefs, techniques, and practices because everyone was translating and interpreting Yoga in their own personal way. Due to all of these misinterpretations, and conflicting views on how yoga should be practiced, this time period doesn't have specific origins for its study. By the second century, the idea of an eight-limbed "pathway" to reach one's enlightenment had been created.

Postclassical and Modern Yoga have few differences. Except for nowadays some people practice it for the health benefits alone and don't tie in their spirituality to these exercises. Other than that ,they are widely used to not only reach a higher state mentally but to rejuvenate your body as well. Timothy Burgin, a trained yoga instructor, stated that this time period is notorious for Tantra Yoga and Hatha Yoga; teachings of how to cleanse your mind, body, and spirit as well as breaking ties that constrict us to our physical existence. Spiritual-physical connections are what most people relate Yoga to now, and the exercise of it. Even though Yoga has many health benefits, it should be appreciated for all it has to offer. Yoga is a practice not only for a person's physical body, but their mind and their spiritual connections as well.

Works Cited:

Burgin, Timothy. "History of Yoga." Yogabasics.com 

http://www.yogabasics.com/learn/history-of-yoga/.

Feurerstien, Gerog. "A Short History of Yoga." Swammij.com

http://www.swamij.com/history-yoga.htm.