Yoga History Through the Ages

Yoga history reaches back to ancient times, to Indiamasters who were influential with change. From this
where it is still practised today. It is traditional disciplinesperiod on yoga began to move to a more social role
of the mental and physical. In Hindu philosophy thereand the teachings became movements for the
are five major branches of yoga. Raja, Karma, Jnana,improvement of society as well as spiritual
Bhakti and Hatha. Hatha yoga is associated outsideaccomplishment.
India with its postures and poses.Again there was change around one thousand five
The word yoga has different meanings depending onhundred CE. Teachers were already beginning to
its translation. It can mean unite, control, yoke, joining,impart their knowledge of Hatha Yoga and the
union, contemplation and absorption as well as otherphysical practice, things such as breath control and
words translated.postures.
There have been many changes in the thousands ofThe ideas of a spiritual goal and enlightenment etc,
years since it began. It was first a teacher and abegan to be overlooked and the aim of yoga was the
disciple training. Its purpose was for a gaining of adeveloping of a flexible and healthy body.
spiritual goal with self realization, to be enlightened andIn modern times it has become a money making
for the liberation of the individual soul.industry around the globe. In the western world today, it
Yoga remained like this without much change for ais used to help improve a persons health with exercise
long time. Changes came about during the time of thein the form of yoga positions and poses, to make the
expansion along the Silk Road, around five hundredbody more flexible and to help with the control of the
CE.body and mind by the individual.
Around this time other forms emerged with several