Yoga is a system of physical and mental exercise that is now famous throughout the world. The word yoga means 'to join together' and practicing yoga brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience. The first written accounts of yoga are found in the scriptures of the Vedas and the Upanishads. The first yogis were part of India's ancient Vedic religion. As time went by, they wanted a more direct spiritual experience instead of the symbolic rituals practiced by the Vedics at the time. So they developed yoga. Using the inter-relationship between mind and body, the yogis developed a method to maintain this balance, combining movements with breathing and meditation techniques to promote peace of mind and physical health.
The Vedic Priests
Vedic priests documented these practices and beliefs and slowly but surely refined and developed yoga. One of the most famous scriptures, the Bhagavad Gita, was written around 500 B.C. These Vedic priests believed in teaching the sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga).
The First Yoga Sutras
The first systematic yoga programme can be found in Patanjali's yoga sutras. Dating from the classical period and written in the second century, these yoga sutras describe the path of Raja Yoga, also known as classical yoga. Patanjali is often considered as the father of yoga and his yoga-sutras still strongly influence all styles of modern yoga. In Patanjali, the art of yoga is divided into an 'eight limbed path' containing the steps to enlightenment.
From Tantra Yoga to Hatha Yoga
During the post-classical period, yoga teachers created a system of practices designed to rejuvenate the body and life. They rejected the teachings of the ancient Vedas and developed Tantra Yoga, with various techniques to cleanse the body and mind. These body centred practices led to the creation of Hatha Yoga.
Shri Krishnamacharya
Between 1800 and 1900, yoga teachers started travelling to the West, hoping to attract more followers. By 1920, Hatha Yoga was being promoted in India by Shri Krishnamacharya. Shri Krishnamacharya travelled through India giving demonstrations of various yoga postures and opened the first Hatha Yoga school. B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar and Pattabhi Jois were three students of Shri Krishnamacharya who continued his legacy and increased the popularity of Hatha Yoga.
Yoga Goes to Hollywood
In 1947 Indra Devi opened her yoga studio in Hollywood. Since then, other western and Indian teachers have popularised Hatha Yoga which has gained millions of followers. Nowadays there are numerous schools and styles, emphasising different aspects of the practice.
