The word Yoga was derived from the Sanskrit word Yuj which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’. The Union denotes that of your mind with your body. You integrating with your surroundings and nature. And, finally, your consciousness with the universal consciousness.
Yoga helps you realize that your existence is not separate from the world around you. Once you attain this state of awareness, you will be liberated from the sufferings of the world, and achieve control over your body, mind, spirit, and even, your destiny. This path to self-realization and actualization is the true aim of Yoga.
The practice of Yoga is believed to have started with the very dawn of civilization. It has its origin thousands of years ago. In the yogic lore, Shiva is seen as the first yogi or Adiyogi, and the first Guru or Adi Guru.
Several thousand years ago, on the banks of the lake Kanti Sarovar in the Himalayas, Adiyogi poured his profound knowledge into the legendary Saptarishis (seven sages). The sages carried this powerful yogic science to different parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East, Northern Africa, and South America. The close parallels found between ancient cultures across the globe can be noted. However, it was in India that the yogic system found its completest expression. Agastya Muni, the Saptarishi who traveled across the Indian subcontinent, crafted this culture around a core Yogic way of life.
Though Yoga was being practiced in the pre-Vedic period, it was the great Sage Maharshi Patanjali who systematized and codified the then existing practices of Yoga, its meaning, and its related knowledge through his Yoga Sutras. After Patanjali, many Sages and Yoga Masters have contributed greatly to the preservation and development of the field through their well-documented practices and literature.
Historical evidence of the existence of Yoga was seen in the pre-Vedic period (2700 B.C.), and thereafter till Patanjali’s period. The main sources, from which we get the information about Yoga practices and the related literature during this period, are available in Vedas (4), Upanishads (108), Smritis, teachings of Buddhism, Jainism, Panini, Epics (2), Puranas (18), etc.
Tentatively, the period between 500 B.C. - 800 A.D. (Classical period) is considered as the most prominent period in the history and development of Yoga. During this period, commentaries of Vyasa on Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, etc. came into existence. This period can be mainly dedicated to two great religious teachers of India – Mahavira, and Buddha. The concept of Five great vows – Pancha Mahavrata by Mahavira and Ashta Magga or eightfold path by Buddha - can be well considered as the early nature of Yoga sadhana. Its more explicit explanation is in Bhagavad Gita which elaborately presents the concept of Gyana yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Karma Yoga. These three types of yoga are still the highest example of human wisdom and even today people find peace by following these methods.
Patanjali’s Yoga sutra besides containing various aspects of yoga is mainly identified with the eightfold path of Yoga. During this very period, the aspect of mind was given importance and it was brought out through Yoga sadhana that mind and body both can be brought under control to experience calmness and composure.
The period between 800 A.D. - 1700 A.D. has been recognized as the Post Classical period. During this period the teachings of great Acharyatrayas - Adi Shankracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhavacharya were prominent. Also, the teachings of Suradasa, Tulasidasa, Purandardasa, Mirabai. The Nath Yogis of Hatha Yoga tradition like Matsyendaranatha, Gorkshanatha, Cauranginatha, Swatmaram Suri, Gheranda, Shrinivasa Bhatt are some of the great personalities who popularized the Hatha Yoga practices during this period.
The period between 1700 A.D. - 1900 A.D. is considered the Modern period in which the great Yogacharyas - Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Vivekananda, etc. have contributed to the development of Raja Yoga. This was the period when Vedanta, Bhakti yoga, Natha Yoga, or Hatha Yoga flourished. The Shadanga Yoga of Gorakshashatakam, Chaturanga Yoga of Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Saptanga Yoga of Gheranda Samhita, were the main tenants of Hatha Yoga.
Now in contemporary times, everybody has conviction about yoga practices towards the preservation, maintenance, and promotion of health. Yoga has spread all over the world through the teachings of various great personalities.
References:
i. Dr. Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, "Yoga: Its Origin, History and Development"
ii. Meena Waghray, "A brief history of yoga: Through the ages"
iii. Himanshu Joshi, "A Brief History of Yoga Philosophy"
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