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Explore the history of yoga: the beginning
from: Lynn CorncroperIn a series of articles I will be exploring yoga. I will start
in this article with its history, and later articles will
explore other various aspects of Yoga including positions.
If you greet each day with sun salutations instead of a latté
and can perform the astanga second series with your eyes closed
then it may be time to explore the history of yoga, particularly
its origins.
Hatha yoga--the performance of physical postures and breathing
exercises--is just one small part of the eightfold or eight limb
path of yoga. For more than 2,000 years, students have gained
insight into a wealth of knowledge arising from ancient Vedic
scriptures. And, you can do. Thanks to the Yoga Sutras of
Patanjali.
Written two millennia ago, The Yoga Sutras gives us insight into
the rich history of yoga. It also teaches us how to achieve
enlightenment by tapping into this complex system of knowledge,
beliefs and practices.
What is yoga?
The history of yoga has been passed down to us through hundreds
of different schools of thought. All share a common origin in
the Vedas and all have certain characteristics in common.
They differ, however, in what they emphasize as the primary goal
or road to enlightenment. For example, karma yoga focuses on
service while raja yoga concentrates on transformational
knowledge. Hatha yoga is the practice of physical postures and
breathing exercises while those engaged in dhyanya yoga meditate
on the absolute.
The father of yoga
Patanjali is sometimes known as the father of yoga. Between AD
200 and 200 BC, this noted physician and sage recorded 195
sutras or aphorisms. We can trace the history of yoga back to
these concise guidelines, which continue to serve as relevant
guidelines to anyone hoping to integrate yoga more fully into
his or her life.
The eight limbs of Patanjali
1. Yamas: The five yamas are social behaviors or moral
guidelines: non-violence, truth and honesty, non-lust,
non-stealing and non-possessiveness. If you have a
Judeo-Christian background, you will see how closely the yamas
resemble five of the 10 commandments.
2. Niyamas: The five niyamas are inner-disciplines that
influence they way we take care of ourselves: purity,
contentment, austerity, study of sacred texts and living with an
awareness of the divine.
3. Asanas: These are the postures that Americans think of when
they hear the word yoga. Significantly, in the early history of
yoga, the asanas were designed to prepare the body for long
periods of meditation, which required a strong, flexible body.
Our current reasons for practicing yoga--emotional well-being,
muscle tone and weight loss among them--were not of importance.
4. Pranayama: Prana is the life-force and pranayama, control of
the breath. Throughout the history of yoga, this was a practice
meant to clear the mind and body in preparation for meditation.
5. Pratyahara: This is the ability to withdraw from your senses,
to meditate free from distractions.
6. Dharana: Here, practitioners learn to meditate on one fixed
point, increasing their powers of concentration and gaining
control over their minds.
7. Dhyana: In this practice, one meditates on the absolute
rather than an object. One is also free from distraction and in
complete control of his or her mind.
8. Samadhi: Absolute bliss. God-Union. It has been called many
things throughout the history of yoga but its essence is the
same: enlightenment.
Throughout the history of yoga, serious adherents have sought
enlightenment. Yoga practice provided them with the tools they
needed. The first five practices of the eight limb path
sharpened the body and the brain, creating strength and
flexibility. The final three, which could not be attempted
without the grounding of the initial five practices, developed
the mind.
We have come a long way from the origins of yoga to contemporary
practice, which emphasizes tight abs and the release of
endorphins. It continues, however, to enrich our lives, at
whatever level we choose to approach it.
About the author:
Lynn Corncroper is a freelance writer, Lynn also writes about
nutrition, vitimins and other health related subjects. You can
learn more about Health at http://learnabouthealth.blogspot.com/
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