A Brief History of Yoga
Instead of all the controversies regarding the exact time period, the history of yoga ranges from four to eight thousand years back to the present time and almost all researchers agree that the birth place of yoga was Indus valley civilization. It was initially developed as an integral part of Hindu philosophy. Later it was absorbed in Buddhist and Jain texts and then traveled through modern suffusion into material life. Nonetheless to say, its implementation still stands straight in the test of time. This article focuses on different timelines of yoga and yogic culture as described by many historians and researchers. Pre-Vedic (ca. 6000-3000BCE) and Vedic (ca. 2000-1500BCE) Phases Few scholars believe that the root of yogic practice did not belong to the Vedic age; it was rather originated in the domain of pre-Vedic, non-Aryan ages following which it was explained in the great Vedic shastras. In fact, the proponents of this theory put great emphasis on pre-Vedic texts in the support of their claim. However, many researchers like David Frawley argue that yoga and yogic culture were first illustrated in the Vedic shastras, which did not carry any pre-Vedic roots. Those who believe that history of yoga initiates from this point estimate the span as nearly 4000 thousand years. Researcher David Frawley asserted that it is the Rig Veda itself which can trace back to the evolution of yoga and yogic practices. Upanishadic (ca. 800-100BCE) Phase The detailed illustration of yoga and yogic culture appeared in the Upanishads. According to Maitrayaniya Upanishad (ca. 200-300BCE), yoga is principally characterized as Shadanga Yoga which is segmented under 6 interrelated but unique disciplines – Pranayama (breathing exercise), Pratyahara (sensory inhibition), Dhyana (meditation), Dharana (focus), Tarka (investigation) and Samadhi (ecstasy). In the Katha Upanishad, yogic practices is expounded as the tool which combines all the five instruments of knowledge in addition to the steadiness of mind and intellect for attaining the Supreme State or Higher Consciousness. As lined in the history of yoga, the practice ensures management of senses by directing them towards one goal, that is, to understand the law of nature in the perspective of universal force. Patanjali Yoga Sutras – Classical (ca. 200CE) Phase The yogic sutras as explained in Patanjali Shastra are the compilations of yogic culture and practices that are chiefly Raja Yoga. As the history of yoga states, the Patanjali Sutras had been codified during 2nd century BC and 3rd century BC in which an adherence to eight disciplines was clearly illustrated. Inherently it was constituted Ashtanga Yoga which was implemented as a mode to soothe one’s mind and combine it to the infinite force in nature. These eight disciplines not only put emphasis on systematic traditional ethical principles adopted by the Bhagavad-Gita, but also expounded the practice and principles of Raja Yoga in details. Hatha Yoga Pradipika is another form yoga mostly appreciated in the western culture. This form was advocated by Swami Swatamarama during 15th century in India. Modern Yoga Since early twentieth century, the yogic practice has taken new shape as opposed to the statements derived from traditional history of yoga. It is mainly because of the fact that the traditional practice requires lifelong devotion and adherence of authoritarian sacrifices, which may not be possible to attain for everyone in such a materialistic world. So the current trend stresses on the holistic approach of the yogic practice and its power to strengthen mind and body, which is developed on the basis of traditional practice, however, customized with simple techniques for easy implementation.
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