History of

We might already have an idea of what Yoga is but to understand it better, we have to know what it has become as well as its roots and beginnings. A quick look at the history of Yoga will help us appreciate its rich tradition and who knows, it might help us incorporate Yoga into our lives. Although Yoga is said to be as old as civilization, there is no physical evidence to support this claim. Earliest archaeological evidence of Yoga's existence could be found in stone seals which depict figures of yoga poses. The stone seals place yoga’s existence around 3000 BC.

Scholars, however, have a reason to believe that Yoga existed long before that and traced its beginnings in Stone Age Shamanism. Both Shamanism and Yoga have similar characteristics particularly in their efforts to improve the human condition at that time. Also, they aim to heal community members and the practitioners act as religious mediators. Though we know Yoga as focusing more on the self, it started out as community-oriented before it turned inward. For a better discussion of the history of Yoga, we could divide it into four periods: the , Pre-Classical Period, Classical Period, and Post-Classical Period.

Historic Timeline Color Legend VEDIC Development of nondual perspectives and growth of the CLASSICAL urban Indus-Sarasvati civilization Introduction of matter-spirit dualism of South Asia, birthplace of yoga

PRE-CLASSICAL (Epic) POST-CLASSICAL (Tantric) Modern Use of ritualized ceremonies to transcend Return to nondualism, sacredness of all experience; Growth of yoga limitations of the mind emergence of outside India

First Yoga Studio Darshanas in America

Swami Uphanishads Buddha Yoga Bahshya Vivekanada, Krishnamacharya

The Gehranda

Yoga of Gorashka- Hatha Yoga Patanjani Paddhati Pradipika