Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated thousands of years ago. The word “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj which means “to join”, “to yoke” or “to unite”.
Yoga is not just a workout, it’s a “work – in”. Yoga is a holistic lifestyle and a journey of self-discovery that teaches you how to balance your inner word, regardless of the chaos in the outer world.
The Evolution of Yoga
- Vedic and Pre-Classical Era : Yoga finds it’s earliest mensions in ancient Indian scriptures, like the Rig Veda and the Upanishads.
- Classical Era (Patanjali) : Around 400 CE, the sage Maharishi Patanjali systematized Yoga practice into the Yoga Sutras. He introduced the Asthanga Yoga (Eight Limb of Yoga), which provides a step-by-step framework for living a meaningful and purposeful life.
- Modern Era : In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Yoga Masters like Swami Vivekananda introduced Yoga to the Western world. Today it’s recognized globally, celebrated every year on June 21st as the International Day of Yoga.
The Main Components of Yoga
While many people view Yoga as just a physical exercise, it actually consists of three main elements :
- Asanas (Physical Postures) : Gentle movements and stretches designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance and body awareness.
- Pranayama (Breathing Exercises) : Techniques that control the breath to regulate energy flow (prana) in the body, which helps calm the nervous system.
- Dhyana (Meditation) : Mental exercises used to cultivate focus, mindfulness and inner peace.
Key Benefits of Practicing Yoga
Yoga is highly regarded for its holistic approach to health, offering benefits for both the mind and body.
- Physical Health : Enhances flexibility, strengthens muscles, improves posture and boosts immunity and cardiovascular health.
- Mental Clarity : Drastically reduces stress, anxiety and depression by lowering Cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
- Spiritual Well-being : Encourages mindfulness, emotional stability and a deeper connection with oneself.
The Father of Ancient/Classical Yoga, Maharishi Patanjali
Early life and legend : Very little is historically recorded about the exact birth date of Sage Patanjali, but scholars estimate he lived between 500 BSE and 200 BSE in ancient India. In Hindu tradition, Patanjali is considered an avatar of Adishesha (the mythical multi headed serpent King associated with Lord Vishnu), who look human from to bless humanity with the arts of grammar, medicine and yoga.
The Great Compilation, The Yoga Sutras : Before Patanjali, Yoga was fraganted, oral tradition passed down through generations without a set structure. Patanjali’s monumental achievement was writing the Yoga Sutras (a collection of 196 aphorisms/verses).
He introduced the Ashranga Yoga (the Eight limbs of Yoga), which outlines the path to spiritual liberation (Samandhi) through ethics, physical discipline, breath control and meditation.
Legacy
Patanjali, shifted yoga from a mystical, hidden ritual into an organized psychological and spiritual science that anyone could practice. Today, almost every yoga school in the world begin its teaching by chanting a prayer of gratitude to sage Patanjali.
The Father of Modern Yoga, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya.
For the yoga we see globally today, with it’s focus on physical postures (asanas) for health and fitness – the credit goes to
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya.
Early Life and Education
Born on November 18, 1888, in a remote village in Karnataka, India. Krishnamacharya belonged to a family of scholars. He mastered all six classical schools of Indian philosophy and travelled extensively to learn ancient scriptures. To master yoga, he travelled to mount Kailash (Tibet), where he spent seven years living in a cave studying under his guru, Sri Ramamohana Brahmachari, memorizing thousands of asanas and breathing techniques.
Reviving a Dying Art
In the early 20th century, yoga was dying out in India and was often looked down upon. The Maharaja of Mysore, recognizing Krishnamacharya’s genius, invited him to open a Yogashala (yoga school) in the Myshore Palace in the 1930s.
A. Krishnamacharya adapted yoga to fit the needs of modern people, blending traditional asanas with dynamic movements to build strength, flexibility and healing.
The Guru of Gurus
Krishnamacharya’s greatest legacy is the students he trained, who went on to spread yoga to every corner of the earth. His most famous disciples include :
- B.K.S. Iyengar : Created Iyengar Yoga and wrote Light on Yoga, making alignment and props globally popular.
- K. Pattabhi Jois : Developed the dynamic, athletic Astanga Vinyasa Yoga.
- Indira Devi : The first foreign woman to study under him, who brought yoga to Hollywood and the Western mainstream.
- T.K.V. Desikachar : His son, who popalized Viniyoga, focusing on yoga therapy.
Death and Legacy
Krishnamacharya taught yoga right up until his death at the incredible age of 100 on February 28, 1989. He never crossed an ocean himself, but the modern global wellness industry – worth billions today – rests entirely on the foundations he built.
In Short, If Patanjali gave yoga it’s Philosophical Soul, Krishnamacharya gave it it’s Modern Physical Body.
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