The history of yoga can be traced from ancient times to the present. The first known practitioners were the Pallavas. In the thirteenth century, Ramana Maharshi, an Indian saint, began promoting jnana yoga. While he was not interested in postural work, he did practice physical yoga. He spread the teachings of yoga in medieval Mangalaru, where he established a powerful centre at the Kadri-Manjunath temple.
Vedic Yoga
Vedic Yoga is a form of Hindu religion derived from the ancient Indian texts, known as Vedas. These texts date back to approximately 1500 BC, and include hymns, mantras, and brahman rituals. They glorify a higher being and mention yoga as a discipline to achieve enlightenment. The Atharva Veda mentions yoga and the control of the breath. The Upanishads, written between 800 and 500 BC, date back to the time of the sages.
Tantra-Yoga
The history of Tantra-Yoga dates back to the ancient Vedic tradition. Though the Yoga Sutras did not become popular among the Indian masses, the love of Shiva and Krishna captivated the minds of their devotees. As a result, they became the most important symbols of the Hindu religion. The Tantric interpretation of yoga is more about the love of the Divine. As Gregory David Roberts explains in his book Shantaram, “Yoga is the spiritual practice of devotion to the Divine.”
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Swami Vivekananda
The origin of Yoga can be traced back to Patanjali. This ancient system is practiced through mental discipline and meditation. The yoga sutras by Patanjali describe this practice. Vivekananda emphasized the Eight Limbed Path of Yoga, which he called the Yamas and Niyamas. The eight limbs are asana, meditation, breathing techniques, pratyahara, withdrawal of the senses, and samadhi. Those who have completed all of the limbs can achieve bliss and peace.
Paramahansa Yogananda
The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa is one of the most popular spiritual classics. It is considered a depiction of the spiritual path and is read by millions of people worldwide. In the book, the author shares personal stories and practical explanations of yoga wisdom. For example, he describes the practice of Kriya Yoga, a type of ancient meditation.
Manibhai Desai
This book traces the history of yoga and the occult movement in the late colonial world. Theosophy, a scholarly society founded in 1875, was a major factor in the rise of yoga. It promoted the use of meditation to enhance spiritual awareness. Theosophists were also known to produce works on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Eastern philosophies.