The History of Yoga

The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition. Contrary to what some people may believe, yoga was not developed as the newest way to slim down so they could fit into a smaller pants size.

The history of yoga goes back 5,000 years. It originated in India, and the first time the word yoga was found in written form was in the Rig Vada, one of the sacred texts used by Vedic priests. Yoga is a means of achieving spiritual enlightenment.

Originally, yoga techniques were passed down from teacher to student through word of mouth. These techniques had never been written down until the Indian sage Patanjali wrote down a systematic method of yoga in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali is considered to be the father of yoga.

According to Patanjali, there are eight limbs of yoga, which lead to the ultimate goal of enlightenment.

Yama - abstaining from violence, stealing, lust, greed

Niyam - developing devotion, purity, studiousness, contentment, discipline

Pranayama - controlling the breath

Pratyahara - going inward and withdrawing attention from the outside world

Dharana - concentration

Dhyana - meditation

Samadhi - merging with the universal consciousness

The Swami Vivekananda added to the history of yoga by bringing it to America. In 1893, he addressed the Parliament of World Religions and discussed the path of yoga. As a result of his speech, it quickly began to blossom as a practice in many areas of the country. Yoga has since gained major popularity in the United States and many different styles including Hatha, Bikram, and Iyengar, are practiced by millions of people.

Knowing the history of yoga can help you, the practitioner, realize the richness that it has to offer. More than just a means of being fit and trim, yoga can help you live a healthy, whole, and empowered life.

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Here website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life.

In The News:

Powered by Feedzilla



Contact Us Today For Ad Information...

Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Cheap Domain Names

Hatha Yoga

One of the many subsets of the 5000 year old... Read More

Total Concentration(samadhi) of Mind

A true Yogi(practitioner) is one who has acquired self-knowledge and... Read More

The Fountain of Youth & Your Hormones

Everyone has heard of the mythical "Fountain of Youth", but... Read More

True Essence of Yoga

Yoga is the most prestigious field of spiritualism. People think... Read More

Christian Yoga?

There is an interesting article in the September 5th issue... Read More

Yoga For a Beginner

Yoga for a beginner is an exciting time when you... Read More

Nine Things You Should Know About Yoga for Children

Here are some guidelines and realistic expectations for parents, who... Read More

What is Self Mastery? ? Part 3

The next large component of self-mastery is mental health, and... Read More

Stress - How To Manage Effectively

Stress is very common in all walks of life and... Read More

Using Yoga to Manage ADD

Exercise is a powerful tool for ADD management. Medical professionals... Read More

Basic Yoga Poses (Asanas)

In most forms of Yoga there are three components to... Read More

Some Tantric Exercises to Increase General Well-Being and Sexual Abilities

A healthy anal and genital area is of great importance... Read More

What is Self Mastery? - Part 2

To continue with our overview of the physical component of... Read More

Paths of Yoga I

With dozens of Hollywood celebrities following in their Guru's lotus... Read More

Yoga - The Solution for Insomnia

At one time, or another, all of us have experienced... Read More

Will Yoga Help You Lose Weight?

I suppose it was only a matter of time before... Read More

Yoga, Do Not Knock It Until You Try It

Are you one of those folks who have never tried... Read More

Confessions of a Yoga Teacher

The following are questions that Yoga teachers still need to... Read More

Yoga for Relaxation

Discover the true meaning of yoga?In taking any modern yoga... Read More

What is Self Mastery? - Part 4

Now, let's cover the last component of self-mastery, which is... Read More

Secrets of Teaching Yoga

What you are about to read applies to teaching, in... Read More

Yoga and Weight Training ? Never the Twain Shall Meet?

Yoga has become part of Western fitness training techniques. However,... Read More

Hot Yoga - Bikrams Twenty Six

Even though the world population has shifted from mainly rural... Read More

Yoga and True Self

The great sage Patanjali in his work Yogasutra codified all... Read More

Understanding the Different Types of Yoga

Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in... Read More