Understanding Yoga - A Brief History
This article gives you a brief history and understanding of yoga; it also includes an introduction to the great yogic spiritual literature, The Bhagavad Gita, The Ramayana and The Mahabharata.
Like most of you, when I first heard about ""yoga" I knew it was something that had been around for years. I knew it had something to do with "stretching", "relaxation", " inner peace and being happy and calm".
There is lot of mystery surrounding the exact history and origins of yoga.
Like many of you, I originally thought yoga originated in India.
Several seals discovered at the Indus Valley Civilisation (c.3300-1700 BC) sites in what is now Pakistan show figures in common yoga meditative poses, which suggest it was practiced as early as 3000 BC. As I grew in my appreciation of this practice, it became clear that yoga's history goes even deeper than this.
Researchers and scholars can now trace the roots of yoga to Ancient Egypt (Kemet). Yogi Babacar Khane and Dr Muata Ashby, researchers and practitioners of yoga can trace the roots of yoga to Ancient Africa (Kemet) where early Africans travelled and settled in India and became known as the Dravidians Indians. The Dravidians passed on their spiritual practices and teachings that influenced the roots of Hindu beliefs and yogaic practices.
The relationship between the ancient roots of yoga and modern-day teachings today is an ongoing discussion within the wider yoga and historical communities.
The philosophy and spiritual teachings are covered in three main texts: The Ramayana, The Mahabharata and most popular The Bhagavad Gita.
The Ramayana
The Ramayana is an allegory for the principles of yogic living, with many 'yogic lessons' presented throughout this epic masterpiece. In essence, it is a practical yoga manual showing humanity how to live a spiritual life, with countless lessons illustrating the proper attitudes to take towards all the challenges of worldly life.
The Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is the second great yogic allegory of ancient Indian literature, written some 5000 years ago. It tells the story of the struggle of every human soul to overcome the animal passions and enable the triumph of the divine qualities of our innate, higher nature.
The Bhagavad Gita
Embedded within the Mahabharatha is the most famous scripture of Indian history, the Bhagavad Gita, which itself is the greatest textbook of yoga.
The Bhagavad Gita is composed of eighteen chapters, each one title a specific 'yoga', a collective discourse in which Lord Krishna instructs the warrior prince Arjuna on the yogic attitude to take towards every human crisis.
What Does "Yoga" Mean?
The traditional meaning of the word 'yoga' originates from Sanskrit yuj meaning to yoke, unite, union, join together. Traditionally, the purpose of yoga is to achieve union, connection with the Divine. In more general terms, yoga is seen as a practical way to release stress and help you make a state of balance, harmony and union into your life.
For students and practitioners of yoga, it is not essential to know the history and meaning of your practice however as you open up to yoga, your wish and interest organically grows.
Final Thoughts And What Next?...
When you have time, I urge you to deepen your understanding of yoga history and spiritual teachings.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ntathu Allen is a writer. She enjoys teaching yoga and meditation to super- busy women to help them relax and find moments of calm during their day. To discover more yoga and meditation tips to help you relax and reduce stress, visit her website at www.yogainspires.co.uk.