The Origins and Evolution of

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 1 Etymology

The word “yoga” is derived from the root “yuj”

yuj: युज् (y´g) Sanksrit, verb to connect, to unite, to yoke

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 2 By 'definition' yoga: योग (y´g) Sanksrit, noun general term for spiritual disciplines in , , and throughout South Asia that are directed toward attaining higher consciousness and liberation from ignorance, suffering, and rebirth. Columbia Encyclopedia a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple , and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practised for health and relaxation. Oxford Dictionary Online

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 3 Where Did Yoga Originate? Indus Valley Civilization

Yoga originated in Pakistan and Northwest at least 5,000 years ago India (2,500 BCE).

Historical artifacts of yoga are found from the Indus Valley Civilization:

Pashupati Seals (2900 BCE) of , Lord of the

Shiva Original Yogic scriptures are dated by their mention of the Sarasvati River, which dried up 4,000 years ago (1,900 BCE). The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 4 Vedic Yoga 1500 – 800 BCE

Veda means .

Rigveda - Oldest known text of any Indo-European language compiled in Vedic , composed by Rishis (seers) “yuj” is found many times throughout. Basis of Brahmanic Religion – religious clergy of who administered rites (rituals and sacrifices), often to nobility. Vedic Practice: tapasic practices, rituals, sacrifice, hymns, stories of Yogis.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 5 The Mahajanapadas 600 BCE – 300 BCE

16 Kingdoms throughout the Indian Subcontinent Wealthier classes patronized the (ascetic yogis) so they tt could study the esoteric science of yoga. Dawn of Axial Age in India: investigating the experiencer.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 6 Yoga of the Upanishads (600 BCE onwards) Upanishad means “to sit down near” 200 texts, 11 are considered “major Upanishads” First mention of “yoga” Describe the nature of existence: Who and What Am I? The innermost Self (atman) is inextricably bound to the Universal reality (). Practice: meditation, chanting, control of the senses, (attention to cause and consequence). “One who meditates, all his knots of his heart, the bondages are opened; all the doubts are eliminated and one becomes gradually free from the fetters of action with ego.” Mundaka Upanishad 2:2:8 The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 7 Orthodox vs. Non-Orthodox Indian Philosophies Orthodox Non-Orthodox Vedic Shramana

– Organization of the Universe  Buddhism – investigates causes and alleviation of suffering. Concepts of - Contemplative methods of self- impermanence, non-self, and inquiry uniting atman with Brahman cause/effect.

 Yoga – practical system of Self-realization  – individual soul, personal  – physical sciences responsibility for liberation, absense of Supreme creator, strong ethical  – Reasoning and logic system foundation based on non-harming.

 Mimasa – philosophy of action, developed into

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 8 Buddism

Founded by Siddharta Gautama, the “Buddha” Born in Northeastern India, 600-400 BCE to a wealthy political family At age 29 left home to discover the cause of human suffering Awakened to the “Middle Way” Spent life teaching through Northeast India Brought teachings to common people. Rejected the and the caste system.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 9 Yoga of the

Bhagavad Gita (~200 BCE) “Song of the Lord” Chapter of epic text the , a story of self-realization and path(s) to inner peace.

Practice: Karma Yoga – Path of service – Path of knowledge Yoga - Path of devotion – Path of meditation

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 10 Samkhya

Classification system describing the natural order and evolution of the Universe Dualist philosophy Is not practiced on its own today, but influences other philosophies, religions and practices

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 11 Yoga of Patañjali ~325 CE

Yoga is a practice to calm the fluctuations of the mind. A path to liberation from suffering (kaivalya, or mukti). Technical manual of 196 aphorisms divided into 4 chapters Describes an 8-part system used as framework for Practice: Ethics, meditation. Numerous commentaries written from 500CE onwards

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 12 Yoga 450 CE onwards

Tan (to expand) -tra (to liberate) World-embracing vision of the whole of reality as the self-expression of a single, free and joyous Divine Consciousness (non-dual). Worship of , feminine principle.

Practice:

 antinomian practices – against mainstream

– chanting

 yantra – visualization of geometric symbols

– ritual, with the purpose of uniting of polar archetypal energies.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 13 ~1200 CE

Ha/moon tha/sun, the yoga of balancing forces. Scriptures: , ,

Purification of the body, balance of physical, mental, and energetic fields, awakening to advance towards , total integration.

Practice: , (purifications), , , , mantra and meditation.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 14 Sritattvanidhi 1830 CE

Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1799–1868) in the State of Mysore in South West India Encyclopedia of Indian spirituality and philosophy Contains instructions and illustrations of 122 (handstand, backbends, seated postures).

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 15 Modern Yoga

Swami Vivekananda spoke at the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, taught Raja Yoga.

Paramahansa Yogananda arrived in Boston in 1920. Five years later, he established the Self- Realizaton Fellowship in Los Angeles. Kriya Yoga.

Paul Brunton, a former journalist and editor, wrote “A Search in Secret India” in 1934, which introduced the great sage . Self-taught, advocated a simple path of self-inquiry. Jnana Yoga.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 16 Modern Hatha Yoga

Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888 – 1989) grandfather of modern Hatha Yoga. Began yoga school at the Mysore Palace.

Disciples

His son T. K. V. Desikachar

Son in law B.K.S. Iyengar, author of and founder of Iyengar Yoga.

Pattabhi Jois founder of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.

Indra Devi taught in China, USA, Mexico and S. America, founded a yoga studio in LA.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 17 Modern Yoga (cont)

Swami Sivananda founder of Sivananda Yoga. Teacher to Swami -devananda who began ashram in Laurentians in Quebec in 1962.

Yogi brought Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1967.

Bhagavan Rajneesh (now known as Osho) unconventional Yoga and Zen teacher in the 70s- 90s. Bikram Choudhury founder of Bikram Yoga. 26 hatha yoga postures.

The Origins and Evolution of Yoga 18 ©

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