| is a union of body, mind, and spirit and its history is as | | | | Post-Classical: The yoga of this era is similar to the |
| rich as what it professes to do for overall well being | | | | post-classical and Vedic traditions; it’s |
| and harmony. The word “yoga” came | | | | characterized by the unification of body and mind. |
| from the Sanskrit word “yuj” which | | | | Yogis of the past did not pay close attention to the |
| translates into “to unite or integrate.” | | | | (physical) body, as they focused most energy on |
| Yoga is an ancient system of health and fitness which | | | | contemplation and meditation. The new generation of |
| originated in India and dates back approximately 5,000 | | | | Yogis, however, developed a system where different |
| years. The word yoga had its first mention in the Rig | | | | exercises when used along with deep breathing and |
| Veda, the oldest of the sacred texts. | | | | meditation, can help to maintain a youthful body and |
| The Building Blocks of Yoga | | | | prolong life. |
| The history of Yoga can be divided into five main | | | | Modern: Modern yoga is said to have been started by |
| periods: vedic, pre-classical, classical, post-classical and | | | | the young Swami Vivekananda from India. Yoga |
| modern. They are defined as follows: | | | | masters began to travel to the west, attracting |
| Vedic: The existence of the Vedas marks this period. | | | | attention and followers. In the 1920s, Hatha Yoga was |
| The Vedas contains the oldest-known Yogic teachings | | | | strongly promoted in India through the lifelong work of |
| -- Vedic Yoga. This is portrayed through rituals and | | | | T. Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya traveled |
| ceremonies that attempt to go beyond the limitations | | | | through India giving demonstrations of yoga poses and |
| of the mind. During this time, the Vedic people relied on | | | | opened the first Hatha Yoga School. Yoga soon |
| rishis or dedicated Vedic Yogis to teach them how to | | | | entered the world of sports and today, many athletes |
| live in divine harmony. | | | | and sports teams have incorporated yoga in their |
| Pre-Classical: The creation of the Upanishads marks | | | | injury reducing, strengthening and focus-oriented training |
| this period. The 200 scriptures of the Upanishads | | | | regimens. In the 60s, famous rock bands such as the |
| describe the inner vision of reality resulting from | | | | Beatles practiced yoga and Hollywood stars even |
| devotion to Brahman. These explain three subjects: the | | | | struck a pose. |
| ultimate reality (Brahman), the transcendental self | | | | Practicing Yoga in the Modern Age |
| (atman), and the relationship between the two. The | | | | Now that you are well versed on the history of yoga, |
| Upanishads further explain the teachings of the Vedas. | | | | why not give it a try? You’ll be in the company |
| Yoga shares some characteristics with Hinduism and | | | | of over 30 million people from around the world who |
| Buddhism. During the sixth century B.C., Buddha started | | | | currently practice yoga. |
| teaching Buddhism, which stresses the importance of | | | | According to Ramakrishna Ananda, Founder of the |
| meditation and the practice of physical postures. | | | | Yoga Center of California, when you first start |
| Around 500 B.C., the Bhagavad-Gita or Lord’s | | | | practicing yoga, never strain — in the postures or |
| Song was created and this is currently the | | | | meditation. |
| oldest-known Yoga scripture. Just as the Upanishads | | | | “Strain creates tension and tension is what we |
| furthered the Vedas, the Gita builds on and | | | | are getting rid of through relaxation and |
| incorporates the doctrines found in the Upanishads. | | | | awareness,” he explains. |
| Classical: The development of the Yoga Sutra took | | | | To aid in yoga practice, many products are available to |
| place during the classical period. Written by Patanjali | | | | enhance the experience. For instance, Banner Therapy |
| around the second century, he attempted to define | | | | Products offers an array of alternative health care |
| and standardize Classical Yoga through what is | | | | products. Yoga supplies include: yoga mats, yoga |
| referred to as the Eightfold Path or Eight Limbs. They | | | | DVDs, yoga videos, yoga books, yoga blankets, and |
| are: | | | | more. |
| 1. Yama: social restraints or ethical values; | | | | Over its long history, different schools have emerged, |
| 2. Niyama: personal observance of purity, tolerance, | | | | and there are numerous examples, branches and |
| and study; | | | | philosophies. Ultimately, all agree on one common |
| 3. Asanas: physical exercises; | | | | element: the fundamental purpose of yoga is to foster |
| 4. Pranayama: breath control or regulation; | | | | harmony in the body, mind, and environment. |
| 5. Pratyahara: sense withdrawal in preparation for | | | | Yoga is now accepted as a comprehensive exercise |
| meditation; | | | | to promote control of the body and mind. While it can |
| 6. Dharana: concentration; | | | | help you to be fit and trim, it can also help you to live a |
| 7. Dhyana: meditation; and | | | | healthy, whole, and empowered life. |
| 8. Samadhi: ecstasy. | | | | |