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Yoga 5000 BC to 2015 AD

June 21, 2016
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Today is “International Yoga Day”. About 2 billion people are expected to participate in this great global event. Phenomenal support received for “1^st International Yoga Day” last year is in itself the evidence of popularity of yoga all around the world. We are glad to bring you a series of 3 articles on yoga starting from this week. In this article we aim to give you a glimpse of history and evolution of yoga and in next 2 articles we will detail on physical and psychological benefits of yoga.

One can see yoga in Vedas

It was 5000 years ago at the banks of Indus-Saraswati River in Northern India it is believed that the foundations of yoga were laid. Pashupati (Shiva) sitting in Padmasana, an artefact found during excavation at Indus valley civilization site shows the practice of yoga in ancient times. Yoga is present in all Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad gita. However, it was difficult to learn and practice yoga from any of the earlier said scriptures. There had to be a revolution to make yoga learnable and practicable.

Patanjali brought first yoga revolution

The first revolution came from a great sage called Patanjali. Patanjali lived sometime between the years 400 BC to 200 AD. Patanjali is also believed to be the person who compiled Ayurveda, which was scattered across Vedas and Upanishads. Patanjali compiled the philosophical and physical aspects of yoga in a book called Ashtanga Yoga. Unlike the current popular Yoga, which takes care more about physical and psychological well being; Ashtanga yoga covered all aspects of life. Ashtanga yoga includes Yama (moral code), niyama (self-purification and study), asana (physical posture), pranayama (conscious breathing), pratyahara (withdrawing mind from senses), dharana (concentrating), dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (union with object of meditation). In one word, it was a complete formula for good health.

Rise and fall of yoga

Following the codification by Patanjali, yoga became part of everyday life in India. We can see influence of yoga on religious practices (namaskar mudra, pranayama, etc.), classical art forms (mudras and postures in bharatnatyam, kathak, etc.), spiritual practices (meditation), etc. However, the practice of yoga declined due to negligence of external invaders like Mughals and British.

Re-kindling of spirit of yoga

About 30 years back, people died of infections but advent of antibiotics made death due to infections a thing of the past. However, there are more serious problems today, which are lifestyle disorders. Statistics suggest that by the year 2030, lifestyle disorders would hold a share of 56% and chronic diseases would cause 74% of deaths.

In this situation, yoga can be an effective lifestyle measure. Meanwhile, more and more research from Western world started showing positive effects of Yoga. Yoga became popular among Western elites first end then with common people. It also started catching up in India. Currently, yoga is practiced by millions of people all over the world being taught by eminent gurus all over the world.

If yoga becomes an integral part of our life, there would be sure increase in physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

The content developed by Scientific Angle Publications LLP

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purpose only. Please consult a qualified doctor before taking any decisions regarding recommendations in the article or for more information.

References

1. White DG. Yoga, Brief History of an idea. http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/i9565.pdf.

2. History of Yoga. http://www.yogabasics.com/learn/history-of-yoga/

3. Basavaraddi IV. Yoga: its origin, history and development. www.yogamdniy.nic.in/.../File577a4a83f0b-996b-4119-842d-60790971e651.pdf

4. Changing disease burdens and risks of pandemics. http://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-2015/global/health