History of YogaThe history of yoga can be traced back to over 2500 BC. In India's Indus Valley, ancient stone tablets were found with engravings of yoga postures from that time. Although these are the first recorded examples of yoga, it is likely that the teaching of yoga pre-dates these as well. Achieving Harmony with the World It
is thought that ancient yogi's sought to achieve a "oneness" with the
natural world. To do so, they observed the natural world
around
them, in particularly the animals, birds, and other forms of
life. From these, they developed a series of exercises and
postures called asanas, as well as breathing practices.Different Paths to the same GoalAlthough the ancient yoga teachers were all striving for the same goal, they often took paths to achieve it. Some of the branches of yoga include:
"Soft" YogaIn North America, yoga was a small movement in the 1960's. The yoga practice was considered "soft", in that it emphasized mediation, relaxation, and separate, distinct postures. It was not the high energy, physical workout that is popular today. "Hard" YogaThis began to change in the 1980's as a harder form of yoga called ashtanga started gaining popularity. Ashtanga emphasizes physical postures first and foremost in order to build strength and muscle tone, as well as vitality and endurance. It is much more of a workout than the softer variety, as it increases the circulation, raises body heat, and gets the heart and lungs working. When most people think of Yoga today, they are thinking of a form of ashtanga yoga. Return Home
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