Yoga is a spiritual discipline that is based on subtle science. It focusses primarily on restoring harmony between body, and mind. Yoga is both a science, and art that contributes towards healthy living. It is immensely beneficial and effective science that dates back a few millenniums!
It has been conserved and promoted by several eminent saints, and Yoga Masters from time memorial. This time-tested practice has been flourishing, and expanding every passing day. It has attracted global crowd in the past few decades. Let us know more about the history of yoga and it’s and development in detail.
What is Yoga?
The word ‘Yoga’ is the result of the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’ that implies ‘to unite’. According to the ancient scriptures, Yoga practices result in the amalgamation of the Universal Consciousness, with the individual consciousness.
It indicates a perfect harmony between the body, and the mind. History of Yoga dates back to 2700 BC from the time of Indus Valley civilization. Since then, this remarkable science has helped millions of people in materialistic, and spiritual upliftment.
Assisting a man to prosper completely is Yoga. Helping people to achieve their individual potential to bloom to the fullest is Yoga. To achieve the true meaning of Yoga, all the different aspects including mental, physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual, aspects need to be addressed.
How Yoga started?
According to our ancient scriptures, Yoga started with the beginning of civilization. It originated a thousand of years back, before the belief systems got developed. Lord Shiva was seen as the first yogi or Guru who was believed to practice Yoga on the banks of the Kantisarovar lake.
In the legendary scripture Saptarishis, he has written about all Yogic knowledge. Various saints like Agastya Rishi has travelled throughout the world to propagate this ancient knowledge of the powerful yogic science. He has crafted the philosophy around a yogic way of living.
Historic evidences show that Yoga existed in the pre-Vedic period i.e., 2700 B.C., and later till Patanjali’s period. The primary sources for obtaining information about Yogic practices at this time were Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, Puranas, Epics, and the teachings of Jainism, and Buddhism. The rich history of origination, practice and expansion of Yoga is bifurcated into four key periods.
1. Pre-Vedic and Vedic Period
There four Vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and Samveda have illustrated about Yoga, and Yogic practices. Rig Veda mentioned about the body of knowledge. Atharva Veda talked about the significance of controlling the breath. It was followed by four sub-vedas as Arthaveda, Ayurveda, Gandharvaveda, and Dhanurveda.
During the Indus-Saraswati civilization, several fossils, and seals were also found that mentioned about Yoga Sadhana. This clearly proved that Yoga was known at that time and was practiced in early stages of the civilization.
2. Pre-classical period
In this era, Upanishads were originated. They explained the hidden meaning of Yoga in the Vedas. There was a total of 108 Upanishads written in this period. Out of them 20 were Yoga Upanishads that taught about the mechanism of the spirit, and mind. These Upanishads also promoted mantra recitation, and meditation to attain enlightenment.
These Yoga Upanishads taught different style of yogic practices such as pranayama (breathing exercise), breathing exercises, and pratyahara (a process to withdraw the senses).
3. Classical period (500 BC – 800 AD)
This era is characterized by the teachings of Lord Buddha, and Lord Mahavira that became the fundamentals for Yoga Sadhana. Lord Mahavira gave knowledge to people to attain freedom, and salvation via meditation. Lord Buddha described specific meditation, and postures to achieve enlightenment.
The Bhagavad Gita was also written in this period. It was a dialogue between Prince Arjuna, and Lord Krishna. Here, Lord Krishna gave an elaborate explanation about the concepts of Karma yoga (the path of activity, or acts), Dharma (righteousness), and Jnana yoga (the path of knowledge, and inquiry), and Bhakti yoga (the path of devotion).
Lord Krishna also said “Samatvam Yoga Uchyate”– maintaining an equanimity in all situations of life is the sign of yoga. Yoga teaches you to remain centered in good, as well as bad situations. It takes you back to our harmonious, peaceful, and joyous nature.
Maharshi Patanjali, also renowned as the “Father of Yoga” organized the Yoga practices for the first time in the 2nd century BC. He spoke about the meaning of yoga science, Yoga Sutras, Raja Yoga (path of introspection), and the knowledge it offers to people.
Patanjali framed the “Astanga yoga” that comprised of yamas, asanas, niyamas, pratyahara, pranayama, dhyaan, samadhi, and dharana. This renowned saint also spoke about another important Yoga called “Hatha yoga”. It is the path to balance the mental, pranic, and physical layer in the body. This period stressed about the significance of the mind.
4. Post-classical period (800 AD- 1600 AD)
In this period, several philosophers, and saints like Adi Shankaracharya, Tulsidasa and Purandaradasa made their contribution towards the growth and continuation of Jnana yoga, and Raja Yoga. Adi Shankaracharya taught several yogic rituals, and teachings like the Jnana Yoga to help people achieve liberation.
He also emphasized on the power of Meditation to get clarity of the mind. Hatha yoga gained immense popularity in this era. A majority of yoga asanas that people practice in the modern age belongs to Hatha yoga.
5. Modern Period (1600 AD – 1900 AD)
In this era, Swami Vivekananda spread the knowledge of yoga to western societies. Raja yoga was developed by Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Paramhansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi, and Vivekananda. Vedanta, Hatha Yoga, and Bhakti yoga thrived at this time.
What are the elements of Yoga?
The elements of yoga encompass a holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Traditionally, yoga is rooted in eight key limbs as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:
- Yama (ethical principles),
- Niyama (self-discipline),
- Asana (physical postures),
- Pranayama (breath control),
- Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses),
- Dharana (concentration),
- Dhyana (meditation), and
- Samadhi (spiritual absorption or enlightenment).
These elements work together to guide practitioners toward a balanced and conscious life. Beyond just physical exercise, yoga integrates moral values, breath awareness, inner focus, and meditation, making it a comprehensive system for achieving harmony between body, mind, and soul.
In addition to the eight limbs of yoga, various traditions and schools have expanded on these foundational elements to incorporate deeper practices. For example, Bhakti Yoga emphasizes devotion and love for the divine, Karma Yoga focuses on selfless action, and Jnana Yoga is the path of wisdom and knowledge.
Hatha Yoga, one of the most widely practiced forms today, emphasizes physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) to prepare the body and mind for deeper spiritual practices. Each element of yoga plays a vital role in personal growth, helping individuals cultivate discipline, compassion, awareness, and inner peace in their daily lives.
Types of Yoga
The most widely practiced Yoga Sadhanas were Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Bhakti yoga, Patanjala Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Laya Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Jain Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Bouddha Yoga. Each of these different forms of Yoga has got its own practices, and principles that leads to accomplish the ultimate aim of Yoga.
These different types of Yoga comprise of different teachings such as Niyama, Yama, Pranayama, Asana, Dharana, Pratyahara, Dhyana, Samadhi, Bandhas, Mudras, Yukta ahara, Shat-karmas, Yukta karma, and Mantra japa, etc.
- Niyama, and Yama are related to observances. Asanas stabilizes mind, and body by adopting various body patterns. It gives an ability to a person to maintain one’s body position with complete awareness for prolonged period easily.
- Pranayama develops mental awareness, and gives you an authority over mind. Regulated, monitored, and controlled inhalation and exhalation results in the awareness of the body and mind.
- Pratyhara dissociate one’s consciousness from the sense organs so that they connect to their body than remain focused on the materialistic life.
- Dhyana (Meditation) is a technique to remain still, and go inward. Focus on the breath while being aware of the surroundings.
- Samadhi – Prolonged meditative state is referred to as the state of Samadhi or integration.
- Mudras, and Bandhas: They are practiced in association with pranayama. By doing these Yogic practices, a person adopts specific body patterns with controlled breathing.
- Shat-karmas is a de-toxification process that aids in removing toxins from the body.
- Yuktahara advocates adequate consumption of food, and incorporating food habits for healthy living.
- Dhyana (Meditation) helps in self-realization that leads to transcendence
Ancient vs Modern perspective on Yoga
In olden days, the life of people was intertwined with nature. They used to live in natural surroundings and practice self-realization, and controlled breathing to develop a synergetic relation between the mind, and the body.
In ancient days, the significance of yoga wasn’t just limited to eradicate diseases. They also laid emphasis on cleanliness, and hygiene in body. Just like bodily cleanliness, purity in thoughts, and emotions was also required to result in overall wellness.
Yoga is More than just Asanas!
Presently, the exposure to yoga is mostly restricted towards yoga asanas. We tend to link it with fitness, and flexibility. It teaches correct posture, and meditative state as an essential step to attain enlightenment. Asana is one of the 8 limbs of yoga. It is used to prepare a person to enter into a meditative state and realize “Oneness” with the universe.
Once you establish yourself in this state of awareness, you get liberated from the hardships of the world. Yoga provide you with a power to control your body, spirit, mind, and destiny. The path to actualization, and self-realization is the main objective of yoga.
This deep spiritual connotation of yoga is well-known throughout the world as International Yoga Day that is celebrated on June 21st. it is an ancient practice as a means of life that creates peace, universal integration, and harmony within an individual.
Is Yoga a Religion?
No. Yoga is not a religion, but it has spiritual roots that originate from ancient Indian philosophies, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is a holistic practice that encompasses physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation (dhyana), and ethical principles aimed at achieving self-awareness and inner peace. While yoga includes spiritual elements, such as mindfulness, compassion, and connection to a higher self, it does not require belief in a specific deity or adherence to any particular faith.
In fact, yoga can be practiced by individuals of all religions—or none at all—because its core purpose is personal growth, balance, and well-being. Modern yoga, especially as practiced in the West, often focuses more on the physical and mental health benefits rather than religious aspects. However, for those who seek a spiritual dimension, yoga offers a path to deeper self-discovery without demanding religious conversion or conflict with personal beliefs.
Yoga Benefits for Health and Wellness
Yoga is a mental, physical and spiritual practice that is practiced throughout world since ages. Over time, people have explored numerous health advantages linked with yoga. This science more than strengthening muscles, and burning calories. It is a practice that aims at uniting body and mind, and bring them in harmony. Following are the benefits that you can realize by doing this practice.
1. Enhanced posture
Practicing specific yoga asanas aids in improving your body posture. It prevents pain in the lower back, and neck region.
2. Better flexibility
When you perform Yoga, it will help you improve flexibility, and perform complicated asanas easily.
3. Develops muscle strength
Yoga helps in strengthening your weak muscles, tones them and prevent frequent strain in the muscles.
4. Stimulates metabolism
Yoga improves your metabolic system, and revitalizes your body.
5. Reduces high blood sugar
Yoga helps in management of blood glucose levels. It stimulates production of good cholesterol, and reduces good cholesterol in the body. Yoga practice helps in the encouragement of weight reduction. It improves body’s sensitivity towards insulin.
6. Enhances self esteem
Yoga uplifts the mood, and fills you with undying happiness. Yoga makes you feel positive about yourself, and life. By being fit and healthy, it improves your self-esteem too.
7. Reduces Stress
Yoga postures, and practices calm, and relax the body. It acts as a potent de-stressor tool that reduces anxiety, and make one establish in peace, and serenity.
8. Improved blood circulation
By performing yoga practice, it results in improved flow of blood and oxygen to all areas of your body. This leads to proper nourishment and rejuvenation of cells, tissues, and organs in the body.
9. Enhances immunity power
Yoga exercises strengthen immunity system that makes you resistant towards destroying various types of bacterial, and viral infections.
10. Improves concentration
Yoga postures increase blood flow in brain, and activates specific areas in the central nervous system. It helps in improving the concentration, memory, and cognitive abilities of a person.
11. Enhances lung function
Breathing exercises strengthen the capacity, and functioning of lungs. Doing such exercises in the long run makes you less prone to respiratory issues.
12. Improves sleep
By doing meditation, and breathing exercises for 20 minutes before sleep, your body sinks into a relaxing state. The result is you get a sound, and peaceful sleep.
Misconceptions Related to Yoga
Yoga is believed to be an exercise system or a therapy to achieve fitness, and health and confined to only Asanas, and Hatha Yoga. Both these practices are a part of Yoga, and a pre-requisite to begin with the actual Yoga process. When you perform yoga postures, your muscles get stretched, toxins are released, and your mind becomes more aware, and enters into a state of relaxation, and equanimity.
Pranayama, and Meditation helps in achieving a balance in the mind, the inner self, and breath. Mental, and physical health are one of the benefits that you gain from doing yoga, the ultimate objective is far reaching.
Yoga is not associated to any specific religion, community and belief system. Anyone, irrespective of faith, culture, and ethnicity can reap the advantages of Yoga.
Final Words
Presently, millions of people throughout the globe have got benefitted by this practice. Yoga Sadhana is considered to be panacea for living a meaningful life. Its orientation towards complete health of an individual makes it a worthy practice for people of varying races, nationalities, and religions.
History of Yoga – Learn the Types, Benefits and Facts About Yoga