Yoga, the ancient practice that aims to unite the mind, body, and spirit, has gained immense popularity in recent years. However, its roots can be traced back to thousands of years ago in the Indus-Sarasvati civilization, which flourished in the Indus Valley between 2600 and 1900 BCE.
The earliest mention of yoga can be found in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. It describes the practice of yoga as a means to connect with the divine, achieve enlightenment, and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Over time, yoga evolved into different schools and styles, each with its own philosophy and techniques. The classical yoga system, as codified by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, consists of eight limbs, including yamas (moral codes), niyamas (self-discipline), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation.
In the mediaeval period, yoga became more esoteric and mystical, with the emergence of Tantra and Hatha yoga. These traditions emphasised the awakening of Kundalini, the dormant energy that resides at the base of the spine, through a combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.
In the modern era, yoga gained global recognition thanks to the efforts of Swami Vivekananda, who introduced yoga to the Western world at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. His teachings inspired many Westerners, including the renowned yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar, who developed his own style of yoga that emphasises alignment and precision.
Today, yoga has become a billion-dollar industry, with millions of practitioners around the world. It has also diversified into various forms, such as power yoga, hot yoga, and aerial yoga, to name a few.
Despite its commercialization, the essence of yoga remains the same – to cultivate awareness, compassion, and inner peace. As the ancient sage Patanjali wrote, “Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”
what is the Rig Veda
The Rig Veda is one of the oldest and most important sacred texts of Hinduism. It is a collection of hymns and poems that were composed in ancient India between 1500 and 1200 BCE, and is considered to be the oldest text in any Indo-European language. The Rig Veda contains over 1,000 hymns that are dedicated to various deities, and are meant to be recited during religious ceremonies and rituals. The text is also important for its insights into the social, cultural, and religious practices of the ancient Indus Valley civilization.
Who was Patanjali
Patanjali was a sage and scholar who is best known for his compilation of the Yoga Sutras, which is considered one of the most important texts on the practice and philosophy of yoga. The exact time period in which Patanjali lived is unclear, but he is believed to have lived in India during the second century BCE.
Patanjali was not just a yoga teacher, but he was also a physician, a grammarian, and a philosopher. He is also credited with writing the Mahabhashya, a commentary on Panini’s Sanskrit grammar, which is still studied by scholars today.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a set of 196 aphorisms that describe the eight limbs of yoga, which include moral codes, self-discipline, physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. The Yoga Sutras are still considered a fundamental text for those studying yoga today, and Patanjali is revered as one of the most important figures in the history of yoga.
Who was Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk, spiritual leader, and philosopher who is best known for his role in introducing Indian philosophies and spirituality to the Western world. He was born in Calcutta, India in 1863, and was known as Narendranath Datta before taking on the name “Vivekananda” at the age of 24.
Vivekananda was a disciple of the Indian saint and mystic, Ramakrishna, and played a key role in the formation of the Ramakrishna Mission, a non-profit organisation that seeks to promote the spiritual, cultural, and social welfare of society.
In 1893, Vivekananda attended the Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago, where he delivered a series of lectures on Hinduism and Indian spirituality that made a profound impact on the Western world. He became widely known for his eloquence, charisma, and his ability to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western cultures.
Vivekananda’s teachings emphasise the importance of self-realisation, and he believed that the ultimate goal of human life was to realise one’s true nature as a divine being. His philosophy was grounded in the Vedanta tradition of Hinduism, and he also drew inspiration from the teachings of other spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism and Christianity.
Today, Swami Vivekananda is revered as one of the most important spiritual figures in India’s history, and his teachings continue to inspire millions of people around the world.