The Number of seals and fossil remains of Indus valley civilization with Yogic motives and figures performing Yoga Sadhana suggest the presence of Yoga in ancient India. The phallic symbols, seals of idols of mother Goddess are suggestive of Tantra Yoga. Presence of Yoga is available in folk traditions, Indus valley civilization, Vedic and Upanishadic heritage, Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darshanas, epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas, Vaishnavas, and Tantric traditions. In addition, there was a primordial or pure Yoga which has been manifested in mystical traditions of South Asia. This was the time when Yoga was being practised under the direct guidance of Guru and its spritual value was given special importance. It was a part of Upasana and Yoga sadhana was inbuilt in their rituals. Sun was given highest importance during the vedic period. The practice of ‘Surya namaskara’ may have been invented later due to this influence. Pranayama was a part of daily ritual and to offer the oblation. Though Yoga was being practiced in the pre-Vedic period (2700 B.C.), the great Sage Maharshi Patanjali systematized and codified the then existing practices of Yoga, its meaning and its related knowledge through his Yoga Sutras.
The philosophy and practice of Yoga itself was codified clearly and methodically by the sage Patanjali in his set of 196 aphorisms called "The Yoga Sutras”. The Sutras bring together all the various strands of theory and practice of yoga and present them in one concise, integrated and comprehensive text. According to Patañjali, there are eight components of the practice referred to as Ashtanga Yoga or eight ‘limbs’ of Yoga sadhana which must be practised and refined in order to perceive the true self- the ultimate goal of Yoga.
Historical evidences of the existence of Yoga were seen in the pre-Vedic period (2700 B.C.), and thereafter till Patanjali’s period. The main sources, from which we get the information about Yoga practices and the related literature during this period, are available in Vedas (4), Upanishads (108), Smritis, teachings of Buddhism, Jainism, Panini, Epics (2), Puranas (18) etc.
Tentatively, the period between 500 BC - 800 A.D. is considered as the Classical period which is also considered as the most fertile and prominent period in the history and development of Yoga. During this period, commentaries of Vyasa on Yoga Sutras and Bhagawadgita etc. came into existence.This period can be mainly dedicated to two great religious teachers of India – Mahavir and Buddha. The concept of Five great vows – Pancha mahavrata - by Mahavir and Ashta Magga or eight-fold path by Buddha - can be well considered as early nature of Yoga sadhana. We find its more explicit explanation in Bhagawadgita which has elaborately presented the concept of Gyan Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga. These three types of Yoga are still the highest example of human wisdom and and even to day people find peace by following the methods as shown in Gita. Patanjali’s Yoga sutra besides containing various aspects of Yoga, is mainly identified with eight fold path of Yoga. The very important commentary on Yoga sutra by Vyasa was also written. During this very period the aspect of mind was given importance and it was clearly brought out through Yoga sadhana, Mind and body both can be brought under control to experience equanimity.
The period between 800 A.D. - 1700 A.D. has been recognized as the Post-classical period wherein the teachings of great Acharyatrayas - Adi Shankracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhavacharya - were prominent during this period. The teachings of Surdas, Tulasidas, Purandardas, Mirabai were the great contributors during this period. The Natha Yogis of Hathayoga Tradition like Matsyendranatha, Gorkshanatha, Cauranginatha, Swatmaram Suri, Gheranda, Shrinivasa Bhatt are some of the great personalities who popularized the Hatha Yoga practices during this period.
The period between 1700 - 1900 A.D. is considered as Modern period in which the great Yogacharyas - Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Paramhansa Yogananda, Vivekananda etc. have contributed for the development of Raja Yoga. This was the period when Vedanta, Bhakti yoga, Nathayoga or Hatha-Yoga flourished. The Shadanga-yoga of Goraksha shatakam, Chaturanga-yoga of Hathayoga pradipika, Saptanga-yoga of Gheranda Samhita were the main tenents of Hatha-yoga.
Now in the contemporary times, everybody has conviction about yoga practices towards the preservation, maintenance and promotion of health. Yoga has spread all over the world by the teachings of great personalities like Swami Shivananda, Shri T.Krishnamacharya, Swami Kuvalayananda, Shri Yogendara, Swami Rama, Sri Aurobindo, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Acharya Rajanish, Pattabhijois, BKS. Iyengar, Swami Satyananda Sarasvati and the like.
These different Philosophies, Traditions, lineages and Guru-shishya paramparas of Yoga lead to the emergence of differnt Traditional Schools of Yoga e.g. Jnana-yoga, Bhakti-yoga, Karma-yoga, Dhyana-yoga, Patanjala-yoga, Kundalini-yoga, Hatha-yoga, Mantra-yoga, Laya-yoga, Raja-yoga, Jain-yoga, Bouddha-yoga etc. Each school has its own principles and practices leading to altimate aim and objectives of Yoga.
However, the widely practiced Yoga Sadhanas (Practices) are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana (Meditation), Samadhi/ Samyama, Bandhas & Mudras, Shat-karmas, Yukta-ahara, Yukta karma, Mantra japa etc.
Yama's are restraints and Niyama's are observances. These are considered to be pre-requisits for the Yoga Sadhanas (Practices). Asanas, capable of bringing about stability of body and mind ‘kuryat-tad-asanam-sthairyam...’ , consists in adopting various body (psycho-physical) patterns, giving ability to maintain a body position (a stable awareness of one’s structural existence) for a considerable length and period of time as well.
Pranayama consists in developing awareness of one’s breathing followed by willful regulation of respiration as the functional or vital basis of one’s existence. It helps in developing awareness of one’s mind and helps to establish control over the mind. In the initial stages, this is done by developing awareness of the ‘flow of in-breath and out-breath’ (svasa-prasvasa) through nostrils, mouth and other body openings, its internal and external pathways and destinations. Later, this phenomenan is modified, through regulated, controlled and monitored inhalation (svasa) leading to the awareness of the body space/s getting filled (puraka), the space/s remaning in a filled state (kumbhaka) and it’s getting emptied (rechaka) during regulated, controlled and monitored exhalation (prasvasa).
Pratyahara indicates dissociation of one’s consciousness (withdrawal) from the sense organs which helps one to remain connected with the external objects. Dharana indicates broad based field of attetion (inside the body and mind) which is usually understood as concentration. Dhyana (Meditation) is contemplation (focussed attention inside the body and mind) and Samadhi – integration.
Different social customs and rituals in India, the land of Yoga, reflect a love for ecological balance, tolerance towards other systems of thought and a compassionate outlook towards all creations.Yoga Sadhana of all hues and colours is considered panacea for a meaningful life and living. Its orientation to a comprehensive health, both individual and social, makes it a worthy practice for the people of all religions, races and nationalities.
With the wide spread popularity of Yoga around the globe has culminated in the development of several modern schools or styles of Yoga, which includes Astanga, Ananda, Bihar, Bikram, Integral, Iyengar, Kripalu, Kundalini, Sivananda, Vini-yoga, Vinyas, Art of Living, Vipassana, Preksha and Transcendental Meditation.
Although Yoga Practice is essential for self realization, it is also widely used for management of several diseases. Conventional medical management of many conditions is proving to be inadequate and inefficient and, increasingly, medical professionals are happy to try alternative and complementary therapies including Yoga.
WHO has recognized Yoga as one of several traditional therapeutic systems originates in India and Yoga training and therapy departments are being opened in reputed, established medical Institutions and hospitals.
Daily life in the modern world has left us with an immobile, sedentary lifestyle. This lack of exercise in our lives has left many people with chronic health and stress problems, especially as they get older.
Yoga enables the practitioner to find relief from these physical ailments and to strengthen the body and make it suppler. It is particularly beneficial for – muscular-skeletal disorders, arthritis, pains in the knees, shoulders and other joints, curvatures of the back and back pain, slipped discs and sciatic pain. From the psychological viewpoint, Yoga practice smoothen emotions, sharpens the intellect and aids concentration and steadies the emotions.
Yoga can be used to manage stress, psycho-somatic and lifestyle related disorders. Non-communicable diseases very well respond to the Yoga therapy. The modern medicine Hospitals and Institutes are gradually adopting this system of therapy as an adjuvant care along with the conventional medical care and such Hospitals have started exclusive Centers for Yoga in their Hospitals/ Institutes. This trend is growing.
Yoga departments in various colleges and universities and the integration of Yoga education in school curriculum and other institutionalized courses have played a vital role in the advancement and spread of Yoga.
Yoga Demonstrations, Yoga conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, magazines and journals have also contributed immensely to the popularity of this discipline.
With the advent of technology, Yoga is being promulgated via T.V. channels and the internet. Apart from this, publication of manuscripts, translations of critical editions of old authoritative texts and literature in different languages, articles based on laboratory studies and findings have ensured that the philosophy and practice of Yoga cross the shores of India.
Yoga is becoming more and more relevant in today’s conflict ridden world, providing strength and equanimity to mankind to face the challenges of the present and future and create a compassionate world. This is its greatest contribution to mankind in general and to the Cultural Heritage of India, in particular.
Traditionally, the 'Guru' was accepting all the responsibility to initiate, educate, guide and take care of the welfare of the aspsirants, disciples and the students (sadhakas). There were different Gurus to initiate and guide different groups of people. In this respect, different yoga protocols developed for different mentalities and behavior patterns will be viable in the changed circumstances with different paradigms.
Now-a-days everybody has conviction about yoga practices towards the preservation, maintenance and promotion of health. Yoga has spread all over the world by the teachings of great Yoga Masters like Swami Shivananda, Shri T. Krishnamacharya, Swami Kuvalayananda, Shri Yogendara, Swami Rama, Sri Aurobindo, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, Acharya Rajanish, Swami Dhirendra Bhrahmachari, Swami Geetananda Giri, Pattabhi jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, Swami Satyananda Saraswati and the like through their lineages.
Several initiatives and mesures have ben taken by the Govt. of India and State Govts., to ensure the viability (process of strengthening) by supporting Yoga Institutions, practitioners, Gurus and Yoga aspirants, both technically and financially. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi has been established under the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & F.W., Govt. of India, for the promotion of Yoga education, training, therapy and research. It has also established Yoga Therapy Centers, Preventive Health Care Units of Yoga, Yoga and Wellness Centers etc. in hospital set ups.Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, New Delhi has been established for the promotion of research. EMR, IEC etc. schemes have also been launched by the Dept. of AYUSH. Govt. of India is also supporting the Yoga Institutions, Colleges and Universities for conducting Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Publications of books etc. on Yoga. Arogya melas (health gatherings/ congregations) are organized throughout the country for the development awareness and dissamination of knowledge of Yoga.
Recently, the UN has declared 21st June as the INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY with the support of around 177 countries. This will propel the popularity and propagation of Yoga to a great extent.
Yoga is being practiced widely across the globe. Nearly 20 million people are practicing Yoga in US alone and this trend is further growing. In few countries the Yoga has been incorporated in the school curriculum.
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