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Home , Georg Feuerstein, Gurmukh (yoga teacher), Indra Devi, Kleshas (Buddhism), Kleshas (Hinduism), Raja yoga

CHAPTER 2. History and

Chapter 2. Yoga History and Philosophy 1 Yoga on High © 200-hour Teacher Training Manual

Yoga History and Philosophy History and

The History and Meaning of Yoga

The language of Yoga is . In the appendix of this manual and in the back of your textbooks you have glossaries and indexes to help you learn key words of this ancient language. In Sanskrit the word yoga comes from the root word, yuj, which has been translated to mean “yoke”, to bring together, bind, or to unite. When you unite something, you bring two or more things together into a relationship. Generally, it’s thought to mean the bringing together of the “small” self with the “great” SELF.

“’s civilization can claim to be the oldest enduring civilization in the world… Yoga practitioners in particular can benefit from India’s protracted experimentation with life, especially its explorations of the mysteries of the mind. The Indian civilization has produced great philosophical and spiritual geniuses who between them have covered every conceivable answer to the big questions, which are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.” –

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History of Yoga and World Religions

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Yoga Stone Seals

Around 2000 BCE scholars believe groups of Indo-European speaking people calling themselves arya, or noble, began to enter the Indian subcontinent through the Hindu Kush. There in the Indus river valley, they found a civilization already a thousand years old, thriving and advanced in technology and trade. From the fusion of these two cultures, the and the Indus Valley, Indian civilization was born.

Aryans brought their gods and a religion based on ritual sacrifice and an ancient form of Sanskrit. They had beautiful hymns that worship natural forces and the elemental powers of life: sun and wind, storm and rain, dawn and night earth and heaven, fire and . These are devas – gods and goddesses.

Fire is , Storm is , Wind is , Night is and dawn is Usha, the sun is . Savitri is the giver of life and death is . The forces of life are met with reverence and awe. These poetic stories served as liturgy in a complicated ritual religion centering around symbolic sacrifice.

Over time, produced commentaries to explain the meaning of the rites. Hymns and commentaries together became The Vedas.

-The Upanishads,

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Yoga History and Philosophy Types of Yoga

The Yoga Tree

Raja Yoga Branch (Raja = Royal) /Patanjali Yoga

Hatha Yoga Branch (Ha= Sun and Tha = Moon) Adamantine – steady and strong - asana

Bhakti Yoga Branch ( = Devotion, Love of God)

Jnana Yoga Branch ( = )

Naad Yoga Branch (Naad = Essence of Sound)

Karma Yoga Branch ( = Action of Selfless Service for the Benefit of the Community)

Contemporary Branches of Yoga

From the above ancient traditions many new forms or Yoga have developed in the West. They include, but are not limited to: Ashtanga Yoga, , Kripalu Yoga, Jivamukti, Anusara, Bikram, Urban , Yoga, and Vinyasa Flow.

Beyond Asana

Yoga is more than simple exercise. It may include postures (), energy and breath control (pranayama), , music, philosophy and other approaches. While many people equate the word Hatha with a particular style of yoga, the word actually refers to the physical aspect of yoga – to the asana and pranayama practices.

Classes described as Hatha yoga usually include asanas as well as other teachings. There is a tremendous variety of ways Hatha yoga can be practiced and taught. Common names you may encounter include Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar, Integral, Kripalu, , Power, Sivananda and Vinyasa. Each style has unique characteristics.

People come to yoga for a wide variety of reasons -- fitness, stress management, relief from physical or emotional pain. Regardless of their motivation, most credit yoga’s meditative component with allowing them to reach a deeper, more spiritual place in their lives. Common styles of yoga can help you determine what style of yoga would work best for you or your facility. The following are some common styles of yoga:

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• Gentle yoga: Gentle yoga can be as dynamic as some of the more vibrant styles, yet is gentle on the body. Classes are often multi-level and do not assume prior yoga . They include breathing techniques, warm-ups and basic postures to increase mind-body connection, self- awareness and self-confidence.

• Yoga flows: Yoga flows are more invigorating. Postures are linked in a flow and provide some aerobic components while also improving strength and coordination. The classes assume a participant begins with a certain degree of strength and endurance.

• : This dynamic yoga style includes specific sequences designed to build strength and stamina. These classes are often recommended for people with some familiarity of the basic postures.

• Fitness yoga: Fitness Yoga is a newer expression designed to incorporate traditional yoga postures in a form common to most fitness clubs. Students warm up, practice more strenuous postures and then cool down. They tone the body, especially the core, and increase flexibility, balance and mind-body awareness.

• Specialty yoga: Yoga can also be customized for the special needs of a broad spectrum of groups including expectant mothers, seniors and children, as well as for those battling life-threatening diseases or debilitating chronic conditions. Specialized training is important for teachers who work with these groups.

• Therapeutic yoga: Yoga therapy is the adaptation and application of yoga practices and techniques to help those facing health challenges manage their condition, reduce symptoms, restore balance, increase vitality and improve attitude.

Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://www.yogaalliance.org/ya/Yoga_Basics/Styles_of_Yoga.aspx

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Important Historical Yoga Teachers and Philosophers to Note

Abhinavagupta (950-1016 AD)

Swami Sivananda (1887-1963)

Krishnamacharya (1888-1989)

B.K.S. Iyengar (1918- 2014)

Indra (1899-2002)

Harbhajan Singh Khalsa/ (1929-2004)

Sri Swami Satchidananda (1914-2002)

There are many influential teachers.

Some of them include; Desikachar, , Richard Freeman, Doug Keller, Richard Miller, Maty Ezraty, Jason Crandell, Mary Taylor, Tim Miller, David Swenson, Seane Corn, , Dianne Bondy, David Keil, , Rea, etc.

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Yoga History & Philosophy Texts and Philosophy

The Vedas The Vedas, a Sanskrit word translating as “,” are the oldest texts from India that date back about four millennia. They provide the first record of yoga philosophy. There are four main Vedas: Rig, Atharva, Sama, and Yajur. They are written largely as hymns, invocations and prayers to deities. It is believed that the Rishis (ancient Indian mystics) orally composed them in the area that is now . The Vedas are considered by to be a direct revelation from God.

The Upanishads The word Upanishad for a long time was thought to translate as “to sit down near (the teacher).” Recent academic research suggests, however, that the word means “secret doctrine” or attempting to discover the “hidden connection” of the human realms of existence to the divine planes of . One can see how this later developed into the , or “union” of oneself to Higher Consciousness. The oldest Upanishads are the Brihadaranyaka and Chandogya, which may have been composed as early as 800 BCE. The Upanishads are the philosophical commentaries of the Vedic corpus, and like the Vedas are also considered to be direct revelation from God. They have many more references to yoga but remain primarily focused on philosophy. There are traditionally said to be anywhere from 52 - 108 different works that are considered to belong to the Upanishads. Among the several Upanishads that exist in the ancient , the ones of most relevance for the student of Yoga are the Taittiriya, Kena, Katha, Brihadaranyaka, Mundaka, Chandogya, and Isa Upanishads.

The Bhagavad Gita The Bhagavad Gita is part of the larger epic work called the Mahabharata, which is the mythical and historical account of the founding of India. In the Bhagavad Gita, (the teacher) appears to Arjuna (the student) and teaches him the principles of yoga as a means to end suffering. The story takes place during a great battle, which is a metaphor for the internal battle that Arjuna himself is experiencing, as he is about to engage in battle against his kinsmen. The various sides are believed to represent the deep in Arjuna’s mind between family, religion, personal against his moral duty, and the Universal Laws of . There are eighteen chapters in the Bhagavad Gita with Chapters 7 and 14 being the most important with regards to yoga philosophy. The system of philosophy known as Sankhya strongly influenced this work as well as later yoga philosophy.

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Hatha Yoga Pradipika Just as the yoga sutras codified yoga in a way that gave yoga philosophy more structure, a yogi by the name of Svatmarama codified the physical practice of hatha yoga in his book the (Light on the Forceful Yoga). It was believed to have been composed sometime in the 14th century CE. In this book he begins lays the groundwork for what we now think of as Hatha yoga. Though it is not easy to read, and its contents are very different from today’s elaborations on ancient practices, the Pradipika addresses familiar concepts such as basic forms of breath control (pranayama), basic poses (asana) cleansing techniques (kriya), locks (bandhas), hand and body gestures (mudras) and a number of other concepts fundamental to most styles of Hatha.1

1.Kumar, J. (2009) Living Your Light Retrieved 2/28/13 from http://livingyourlight.com/media/downloads/SampleSanskritWebsiteManual.pdf

Vijnana Bhairava

Translates as “Scripture of the Wisdom-Bhairava”. This text is part of the nondual Saiva lineage, thought to have been written in the 7th century CE. The Vijnana Bhairava has a number of translations and commentaries ranging from the erudite to the poetic. The writing is in the form of a dialogue between Shiva and Sakti and offers 112 ways to know your true nature. Examples of from the Vijjnana Bhairava that will help one access a more expansive Awareness are considered by many as unconventional: gazing at a blank wall or a vast empty sky, feeling deep pain, spinning until you fall down, paying attention to a luscious kiss, resting in the vibrations of an orgasm, savoring food, letting attention land on sensations of bliss.

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History and Philosophy The - 8 Limbs of Yoga

The Yoga Sutras are commonly known as Raja Yoga, the Royal Yoga. • Present a path that is universally applicable to people of all faith traditions • The guidelines of Raja Yoga bring the attainment of spiritual enlightenment • The “goal” liberation from suffering • Dualistic philosophy “The Yoga Sutras of Sri Patanjali” is the science of joy and a blueprint for living a deeply satisfying life. It is a timeless spiritual classic whose appeal is founded on a profound and unerring understanding of the human condition. Not simply a philosophy, it presents a holistic system of practices that provide clear, progressive steps toward the elimination of suffering and the attainment of liberation. These teachings reach beyond age, occupation, gender, and faith tradition. They touch the heart of the struggle to find peace amidst a world of uncertainties and challenge. They boldly proclaim that the joy we seek is within us, as none other than our True Identity.” -Inside the Yoga Sutras, Rev. Jaganath Carrera

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is divided into four chapters or pada which contain 195 sutras: 1. Pada: On contemplation. Samadhi is the ultimate goal of Patanjali. 2. Sadhani Pada: On practice; means to achieve Yoga. 3. Vibhuti Pada: On properties and powers. Treading the path. Progressing the practice. 4. Pada: On emancipation and freedom. Self realization. Patanjali was the first to codify the system/science of yoga – though he is often called the “Father of Yoga,” he did not create it. The teachings are so ancient no one knows their exact origin story. We are not sure if Patanjali is one person, or a group of people who have written the text over many years. Sources credit him with being both a physician and a grammarian. Patanjali is often depicted as a 4- armed human, with his torso emerging from coils of serpent lower half. Two hands are together in anjanli – symbolizing a greeting and blessing. One hand is raised holding a , which symbolizes the turning wheel of time and law of cause and effect. The second raised hand holds the conch, symbolic of the energy of the primordial sound OM. This is believed to call students to practice and announces that transformation is imminent. It is important to note that the Yoga Sutras were an oral tradition and are designed to be memorized, spoken and repeated over and over again. The word sutra means thread. As a literary style it is a concise aphorism. “The first four sutras of Chapter 1 or Samadhi Pada contain Patanjali’s entire message in a nutshell: Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence, and only when the mind is silent can we realize our own true nature, the effortless Being of the Self. The remaining one hundred and ninety one sutras are

Chapter 2. Yoga History and Philosophy 10 Yoga on High © 200-hour Teacher Training Manual an expansion of this introductory statement. The main concern of Patanjali in his text is Samadhi, or spiritual absorption.” – The Yoga Tradition, Feuerstein It is common in Indian literature for the opening text to contain the entire meaning of the teaching in seed form. So the Yoga Sutras begin by presenting us with a succinct overview of what is to follow, then, as our familiarity with the subject grows, the details are filled in.

How to Study the Sutras Sri Patanjali tells us we must be anchored in our own . Therefore, we must not only read and study the Yoga Sutras but, live and experience them for ourselves. Success in yoga is through practice and practice only.

“Without practice, nothing can be achieved.” – Swami Satchidananda

“For the yogins, perhaps more than for the adherents of the other classical Hindu systems of thought, philosophical understanding has always been only a compass to guide the initiate’s inner experimentation. It was never intended to replace personal realization of the ultimate , or .” – The Yoga Tradition, Feuerstein

“The most useful strategy to employ when studying the Yoga Sutras is to approach them as you would a piece of art or poetry, where a literal, there-is-only-one-way-to-understand-this outlook can smother the nuances, beauty and various levels of meaning. The Yoga Sutras can be examined and enjoyed from many angles, each facet exposing another aspect of truth. You will discover more levels of meaning for yourself as you continue your study and practice.” -Inside the Yoga Sutras, Rev. Jaganath Carrera

Main Yoga Philosophy Concepts:

“Everything begins in the mind. If you want to see clearly, you need clear vision.” – Sri Swami Satchidananda

Purusha, Prakriti and Avidya

Purusha: Pure Unbounded Consciousness, Self, Seer, Spirit, Changeless

The experience of Purusha as our True Identity is enlightenment or Self-realization.

Prakriti: Undifferentiated Matter, Nature, Changing.

Avidya: Ignorance

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Ignorance obstructs our experience of True Nature. It is the fundamental confusion that we are Prakriti rather than Purusha. Avidya is the cause of suffering (dukkha). And the teachings of yoga point the way to removing it. Also translated as not knowing or not seeing.

Pada One – Key Sutras and Concepts

Sutra 1.1 “Atha Yoganusasanam” Now, the exposition of Yoga. NOW. YOGA. Sutra 1.2 “ chitta .” Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. Richard Miller: I. 2. yoga – cittavrittinirodhah. “Yoga is when we realize and abide as our essential nature—stillness—that is without movement, whether the mind, as the movement of thought, is in movement or is not in movement.” Sutra 1.14 Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break, and with enthusiasm. Sutra 1.33 4 Locks and 4 Keys 1.33. By Cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and toward the non-virtuous, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness. Pada Two – Key Sutras and Concepts The Five Right after Patanjali describes , he explains the five obstacles or reasons we are bound. These obstacles, troubles, or afflictions, are known as the kleshas: 1. Ignorance (avidya) 2. Ego (asmita) 3. Attachment to Pleasure () 4. Aversion to Pain (dvesa) 5. Fear of Death (abhinivesah) These five afflictions are often depicted as a tree. Avidya is the trunk of the tree, and the other four kleshas sprout from it. The emphasis on , knowing the real nature of the universe, is echoed in Classical Yoga's emphasis on avidya, or ignorance, as the chief affliction we suffer. Destroy avidya and all the other troubles go away.

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Yoga History & Philosophy Before and After Patanjali

Though Patanjali’s yoga is perhaps the most well known of the yogic among Western students there are other influential philosophies, both that underlie Patanjali’s sutras and that have grown from it. Exact dates are nearly impossible to ascertain regarding the beginning of each school of thought, though they are listed here in a general chronological order.

Samkhya is a dualistic perspective that is thought to be the precursor of Patanjali’s sutras and also a great influence on the Buddha. In this philosophy Purusha (the Seer) and Prakriti (the seen) are both seen as real and are separate from each other.

Patanjali’s yoga sutras arise from this tradition offering the same philosophical dualistic perspective but adding numerous experiments to attain the final realization of the Samkhya philosophy – Samadhi.

Advaita arises as a non-dual perspective, proposing that Purusha and Prakriti are “not two”. That all there is is Purusha, and that Prakriti is a projection of the mind. All we see and do, everything that changes is just a dream.

Kashmir is considered an Unqualified Non-dual perspective. Whereas Advaita sees all form as a dream to be transcended, Kasmir Shaivism sees Purusha and Prakriti as “not two” and Prakriti as real (not a dream or illusion). That all form is made up of and arising out of the formless. There is no need to transcend our physical lives because the physical is a manifestation of the divine. There is no separation at all, only oneness of being.

(adapted from Integrative Restoration Level 2 Manual: Four Foundational Philosophies of Yoga)

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Yoga History & Philosophy The Eight Limbs of Yoga

1. Yama-Universal Values of Life a. : non-violence, non-killing b. : truthfulness c. Asteya: non-stealing d. Brahmacharya: living life in awareness of the Divine often translated as celibacy or moderation e. Aparigraha: non-possessiveness

2. - Personal Observances a. Sauca: purity b. : c. : fire of the practice, dedication. d. Svadhyaya: self-study or study of sacred texts e. Pranidhana: awareness of and surrender to something greater

3. Asana: comfortable, steady posture 4. Pranayama: working with the life force energy, generally through breathing practice 5. : withdrawal of the senses into the inner silence 6. Dharana: concentration, giving the mind one direction of flow 7. Dhyana: meditation, steadiness in one flow 8. Samadhi: the state of total absorption ***Know this ^^^^^ as-is for your 8-Limbs Quiz***

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References

Inside the Yoga Sutras, Rev. Jaganath Carrera The Yoga Tradition, Georg Feuerstin The Upanishads, Eknath Easwaran The Yoga of Breath, Richard Rosen The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Sri Swami Satchidananda iRest Training Manual L1

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