Yoga History

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I have done enough googling to find out about yoga history but end up with information overload that finally confuses me more than where I was at first step.

So how and when was all this wonderful knowledge of yoga born? Was it 1 man or was it many peoples input to create this ocean of knowledge?
Also, how did they made sure the knowledge is passed to the next generation? There were no computers and stuff to store information of this sort. Is the yoga-the way we know in it’s original form? I mean is it possible that some knowledge was lost while being passed to next generations? Is it possible that what we have is all wrong? The real thing is already lost?

In this age who is consiered to be most knowledgeable in yoga? Are there multiple people? Is these some kind of panel who does the recgnition around the world?

#2

I have read Yoga can help anybody and everybody in various ways. Also eveyrbody does Yoga for different goals. i.e. somebody may be doing it just to stay fit and free from diseases, somebody may be doing it to get rid if existing disease.

I am currently exploring and trying to read as much as I can to gather enough information to decide what I want out of yoga. But to start with I am looking for yoga to help me stay healthy and free from diseases. Ofcourse if it could help me get rid of my sleep apnea that would be great.

Based on my above goals and based on the fact that in my curren lifestyle I can devote around 30min-45min per day to yoga, what would be best for me? I mean some of the essential pranayams, asanans, meditations?

#3

Two friends were standing at the edge of the swimming pool. One was inquiring about the water temperature, the amount of chlorine, the size of the pool and what swimming would feel like. The other friend just jumped in.

#4

[quote=yalgaar;19203]I have done enough googling to find out about yoga history but end up with information overload that finally confuses me more than where I was at first step.

So how and when was all this wonderful knowledge of yoga born? Was it 1 man or was it many peoples input to create this ocean of knowledge?
Also, how did they made sure the knowledge is passed to the next generation? There were no computers and stuff to store information of this sort. Is the yoga-the way we know in it’s original form? I mean is it possible that some knowledge was lost while being passed to next generations? Is it possible that what we have is all wrong? The real thing is already lost?

In this age who is consiered to be most knowledgeable in yoga? Are there multiple people? Is these some kind of panel who does the recgnition around the world?[/quote]

Dear Yalgaar,

If you enjoy reading, and you want to know more about the origions and to be introduced to the classical texts of Yoga, than I suggest you to find a book A History of Yoga written by Vivian Worthington. And ofcourse a great study book is also The Yoga Tradition written by Georg Feuerstein.

But as Willem says nothing is more real than your direct experience. If I were you I would find a teacher to study and practice with for a while.

#5

[QUOTE=Willem;19244]Two friends were standing at the edge of the swimming pool. One was inquiring about the water temperature, the amount of chlorine, the size of the pool and what swimming would feel like. The other friend just jumped in.[/QUOTE]

Very well said Willem. I see what you are saying. I have also heard of 2 friends who decided to skydive. One of them spent quite a lot of time on all that is involved, gear knowledge, aerodynamics of parachutes, etc etc. The other one thought he would just jump and learn it as he goes. Too bad the 2nd one didn’t live.

No offense intended, just showing a different perspective. Also, I didn’t think it would hurt in any way to read as much as I can understand about the orgin and history about yoga to satisgy my curiously and help me make informed decisions and what I want to pursue and what could not be for me.

#6

I have also heard of 2 friends who decided to skydive. One of them spent quite a lot of time on all that is involved, gear knowledge, aerodynamics of parachutes, etc etc. The other one thought he would just jump and learn it as he goes. Too bad the 2nd one didn’t live.

Ahhh but it is both not one or the other. And that is the very critical lesson yoga offers.

There are preparations to be made, things to ready, and yet we cannot tell you what you will experience in the falling. You may have a heart attack, you may pee your pants, you may have the bird of paradise fly up your nostril - despite a well folded parachute.

I do no suggest a bohemian approach with no preparation. Quite the opposite. Find a sound teacher. If you liken the risk to one of the skydiver then why tarry with books and dvd’s and other partial learnings (except as supplements).

The skydiver is not served in knowing who invented the parachute, nor is he overly concerned with how long parachuting has been around. He’s merely concerned with those things HE needs to do in order to parachute safely…and that’s it.

#7

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;19288]Ahhh but it is both not one or the other. And that is the very critical lesson yoga offers.

There are preparations to be made, things to ready, and yet we cannot tell you what you will experience in the falling. You may have a heart attack, you may pee your pants, you may have the bird of paradise fly up your nostril - despite a well folded parachute.

I do no suggest a bohemian approach with no preparation. Quite the opposite. Find a sound teacher. If you liken the risk to one of the skydiver then why tarry with books and dvd’s and other partial learnings (except as supplements).

The skydiver is not served in knowing who invented the parachute, nor is he overly concerned with how long parachuting has been around. He’s merely concerned with those things HE needs to do in order to parachute safely…and that’s it.[/QUOTE]

I agree 100% with you. I still would like to mention that the point I was trying to make is that gathering all information you can about something you want to do is not hurting me in any way. Also it seems I made it sound as if I am trying to learn the exact techniques or pranayams and asanas from this forum but that is not even close to the the what I am seeking. I believe everybody has their own ways and style of learning process. I may be interpreting this wrongly but I felt like I was discouraged for asking any questions here while the fact been asking questions, sharing opinions and experiences if the very purpose of online forums. Like I said I might be taking this in the wrong way due to limitations of communication on online forums, but I seeked some very basic information on this forum and some the responses were subtly suggesting as if I did something wrong asking the question and I should not be asking it here, I should immediately seee a yoga instructor first.

#8

Let me see if I can answer some your questions in a concrete way.

Nobody actually really knows, not even the learned Indian Rishis and yogis. All we can do is to look at history combined with archeology and from that draw some conclusions. But is seems that yoga as a system is about 7500 - 9000 years old as temples under the sea in India have been discovered with reliefs showing people in certain asanas dating back above mentioned time.

Again we know the man Patanjali who took all this yoga knowledge and brought it together to form the yoga sutras, but before that we actually know very little about how yoga was developed. My logic tells me that it must have been a number of people and numerous influences that helped it to develop. We see that same development happening in the West today, new styles, forms and yoga philosophies develop all the time, in a hundred or more years yoga might look completely different. This is the beauty of yoga for me, that it is so flexible to suit any person and to complement any religious/spiritual practice as well.

Oral tradition was much more disciplined and refined than what we know today. Just becasue our ability has diminished over the last century or so to concentrate and remember things longer than 36 seconds, it didn’t mean that people thousands of years ago was also like that. In fact, there is enough evidence and proof that show that the spiritual scholars had tremendous memories and that they could remember texts larger than the bible or koran for example. This oral tradition was extremely well organised and managed by the teachers/gurus and students. So, yes perhaps here and there something may have been dropped or reinvented or reinterpretated, but I strongly believe that the bulk of the yoga sutras and philosophy is still very much in its original form. Also remember that this knowledge was passed down as poetry with a certain metre and rhythm, it is a known fact that this type of poetry is easier to remember than pages of unmetred text.

there is no such thing as yoga in its original form, because we as humans are not in our original form anymore, we have reincarnated many times and evolved over the aeons of time, so with that yoga has evolved and changed as well. And that doesn’t make the yoga of today lesser than what it was say 5000 years ago.

I cannot tell you who is the most knowledgeable today, I think there is a whole system out there that must be seen in its entirety and not as this part or that part. Although the human body has many different parts and limbs, we still recognise it as a whole and this is how it should be with yoga as well. There are efforts and attempts world-wide to regulate yoga, I am very cautious about this and the motivation of the people behind it. Regulate the teachers and the people who are entrusted with sharing this knowledge, but not the yoga knowledge.

I trust that this might have answered some of your questions, I am not as knowledgeable I would like to be, and perhaps someone else might add something else, but I trust you can move forward from here.

#9

it is actually tough to say who the most knowledgeable person in yoga is; it is an ancient practice which has been conducted by many since ages. the origin of yoga probably dates back to the ancient Indian times and there are many yoga specialists and yoga books out there that throw light into the benefits of yoga in the modern times. however, yoga was hugely popularized by Bikram Choudhury in the US and many other counties around the world.

#10

When I read this post I smiled really big at your paragraph of questions about the history of yoga. I am also a person ravenous for information and in the beginning had many questions met with the same discouraging referrals to find a teacher to answer them–often by people whose profiles and websites showed that they were highly experienced teachers. For the person asking, we set the precedent here for how qualified teachers act, and so we should be more careful of how are answers are constructed so that new people are not afraid to seek help from the knowledgeable others outside of the computer.

Those of you waiting on the sidelines, don’t misinterpret this, I am not saying that questions should be answered without disclaimer. It is absolutely true that a great many inquiries asked of this forum are complicated and must be directed to a qualified teacher or therapist who can see the inquirer in person, but still so many are simple simple questions that arise from the blowing winds of curiosity and are instantly met with that same response. We must be aware that many inquirers are here so that someone can inspire them to look at their question in a different light, or are hoping that they will be shown a new path by asking an old question to new people, or they already know a lot about what they are asking and just want clarification or summarization. If one if unsure of the level of understanding of the inquirer, or why the question is being asked, then we should get to know that person and find out. Remember, making new friends is fun!

In our efforts to protect people from improper practice, we must be acutely aware of the fine line between ‘[I]encouraging[/I] someone to find help elsewhere’ and ‘[I]discouraging [/I]someone to find help elsewhere’. With a few more minutes of typing I know that all of us are capable of constructing responses to questions which make use of our responsibility to the health, safety, spiritual growth and development of the person asking, while still providing a friendly answer that teaches them something new. Even if what you want them to understand is why learning to do headstand on their own is a bad idea, this can be described in a way where everyone gets done reading that paragraph and feels that the human body is a complex and brilliant machine, divinely inspired and designed to protect and sustain us, and that improper technique can impede on the body’s ability to do these functions. If we can’t help them from where we are, then we must show them it is worth it to find someone who can, and we [B]are[/B] the models for who they expect to find when they go looking.

Oh, and the answer to the main topic: I started with Yoga on Wikipedia and went from there. It would take me a year to summarize what I learned. I recommend that history of yoga book, perhaps?

#11

You might find them in India or Tibet.

9000 years old.

revival and re-revival, or not,and so it goes on…through the centuries…

i heard someone else put it this way-.Yoga has continued becaause it’s pracitce had made/makes yogi’s high.

#12

[quote=yalgaar;19214] I am currently exploring and trying to read as much as I can to gather enough information to decide what I want out of yoga. But to start with I am looking for yoga to help me stay healthy and free from diseases. Ofcourse if it could help me get rid of my sleep apnea that would be great.

Based on my above goals and based on the fact that in my curren lifestyle I can devote around 30min-45min per day to yoga, what would be best for me? I mean some of the essential pranayams, asanans, meditations?[/quote]

Dear Suryadada, I take your point. What I tried to convey is that, where yoga is concerned, direct experience is more important than intellectual learning. I have responded in greater detail elsewhere. But here we go:

(1) For yoga history use a search engine to locate “A short history of yoga” by Georg Feuerstein.

(2) If you are new to yoga, you can really benefit by going to yoga class, say once or twice a week. Shop around until you find a teacher and style to your liking. Going to class helps with motivation and getting a direct experience, much superior over book, internet or dvd learning. You could ask your teacher to help you devise a personal routine for doing at home. Many yoga teachers limit themselves to the poses, some teach pranayama, even fewer teach meditation. In fact, you may need to join another class, e.g. Buddhist vipassana or zen, to get the basics of meditation. Although simple breath meditation can be explained in one paragraph, meditation is also best learned from a teacher. Five to ten sessions are enough to get started.

This is what I teach to absolute beginners in their first year (keep in mind that I teach hatha yoga to a population of mixed ages and that I take things really slowly):

Objective: Awareness (mindfulness) of body and breath that leads to relaxation and better health.

Postures: pavanmuktasana (joint freeing series), simple vinyasa flows (like palm tree), many preparatory poses, basic standing poses (e.g. warrior 1/2, tree, triangle), basic sitting poses (e.g. forward bends, boat, twists), basic lying poses (e.g. upward stretched legs, cobra, locust, bridge, shoulderstand). And always, always relaxation in savasana at the end, which I treat more like a short 20 min yoga nidra moving from body to breath to mind. All postures and flows are done in conjunction with the breath.

Breathwork: abdominal breathing, three part breathing (many variations of both to develop awareness and relaxation), ujjayi, alternate nostril breathing, maybe kapalabhati.

Meditation: I offer this, but only teach it when the whole group is interested, which has not happended so far - concentration on abdominal breath (zen style) in sitting position.

Practically every town in New Jersey will have some yoga teachers.

(3) To address an issue like sleep apnea or job stress, a private session is needed. This requires a very experienced teacher but preferably a yoga therapist. Yoga therapy consists of an assessment, agreement on goals, devising, and practicing a personal yoga routine. The first interview takes about 1,5 hours. The student should practice at least 3 - 4 times per week at home. The personal yoga program is revised on a monthly or bi-monthly basis as needed.

A previous thread lists multiple yoga therapists in New Jersey and Nichole and I have pointed out the two most experienced ones.

Blessings.

#13

[QUOTE=yalgaar;19214] But to start with I am looking for yoga to help me stay healthy and free from diseases. Ofcourse if it could help me get rid of my sleep apnea that would be great.
[/QUOTE]

"…what is interesting to note is that much of the “Power Yoga” and other styles of “Fitness Yoga” that suddenly flourished in the gyms and health clubs around the world 10 to 20 years ago all bear reference to the Primary Series [of Ashtanga Yoga], the first sequence taught by the AYRI [Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute]. This series, known as Yoga Cikitsa (Yoga for Health) in Sanskrit, attempts to realign and balance the gross physical body by first facilitating an awakening to greater health and then increase the flow of energy throughout the body… "

quoted from Ashtanga.com

So there you have it. the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga is for you, starting with Sun Salutation and standing asanas.

#14

[QUOTE=suryadaya;19316]When I read this post I smiled really big at your paragraph of questions about the history of yoga. I am also a person ravenous for information and in the beginning had many questions met with the same discouraging referrals to find a teacher to answer them–often by people whose profiles and websites showed that they were highly experienced teachers. For the person asking, we set the precedent here for how qualified teachers act, and so we should be more careful of how are answers are constructed so that new people are not afraid to seek help from the knowledgeable others outside of the computer.

Those of you waiting on the sidelines, don’t misinterpret this, I am not saying that questions should be answered without disclaimer. It is absolutely true that a great many inquiries asked of this forum are complicated and must be directed to a qualified teacher or therapist who can see the inquirer in person, but still so many are simple simple questions that arise from the blowing winds of curiosity and are instantly met with that same response. We must be aware that many inquirers are here so that someone can inspire them to look at their question in a different light, or are hoping that they will be shown a new path by asking an old question to new people, or they already know a lot about what they are asking and just want clarification or summarization. If one if unsure of the level of understanding of the inquirer, or why the question is being asked, then we should get to know that person and find out. Remember, making new friends is fun!

In our efforts to protect people from improper practice, we must be acutely aware of the fine line between ‘[I]encouraging[/I] someone to find help elsewhere’ and ‘[I]discouraging [/I]someone to find help elsewhere’. With a few more minutes of typing I know that all of us are capable of constructing responses to questions which make use of our responsibility to the health, safety, spiritual growth and development of the person asking, while still providing a friendly answer that teaches them something new. Even if what you want them to understand is why learning to do headstand on their own is a bad idea, this can be described in a way where everyone gets done reading that paragraph and feels that the human body is a complex and brilliant machine, divinely inspired and designed to protect and sustain us, and that improper technique can impede on the body’s ability to do these functions. If we can’t help them from where we are, then we must show them it is worth it to find someone who can, and we [B]are[/B] the models for who they expect to find when they go looking.

Oh, and the answer to the main topic: I started with Yoga on Wikipedia and went from there. It would take me a year to summarize what I learned. I recommend that history of yoga book, perhaps?[/QUOTE]

Thank you very much Suryadaya, I could have never said it the way you said it. So very much true all that you mentioned.

#15

The history of yoga is foggy to say the least. It’s often described with some facts, some myth and a lot of lore, some of it even a bit controversial for die-hard yogis.

Mr. BNS Iyengar, a student of T. Krishnamacharya and a contemporary of K. Pattabi Jois and BKS Iyengar, teaches yoga philosophy and history in Mysore, India. A very, very brief synopsis of his lesson follows.

Yoga existed many, many, years ago. It evolved over several periods of thought (dharshanas). It was developed in parallel with the upanishads and Hinduism. Different methods of yoga also evolved over time. There were many misconceptions of yoga & yogis among the people in the Indus valley (the Hindus) that actually prevented yoga from being accepted among the masses. Patanjali wove together the various yogas and Hinduism into the Yoga Sutras and developed astanga (8-limbed) yoga. This is the foundation for most modern yoga. Patanjala also established yoga as accepting the presence of God.

Today there are many different yoga types and styles. Two well known yoga teachers / leaders are Krishnamacharya and Paramamsa Yogananda. Their yoga styles are very popular throughout the world. From Krishnamacharya’s school other schools have emerged: astanga vinyasa yoga, Iygengar yoga, and viniyoga.

There have been some disagreements as to how modern yoga practice has come to be and its historical authenticity. Some question of the existence of Patanjala (was he a real person or a collection of people?), the Yoga Kurunta, Krishnamacharya’s development of asanas, the development of astanga vinyasa yoga by Jois, etc. You can find more info about these ideas in Norman Sjoman’s book “The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace.”

Good luck in your quest.

  • Mukunda