In order to grasp the essence of Yoga, understanding about the
history and evolution of Yoga would definitely help. Yoga is one of the oldest art,
or you can say science, or philosophy of the world that originated in Indian
subcontinent thousands of years ago. Practice of Yoga is very beneficial not
only for maintaining the physical health, but also for rejuvenating your mental,
moral and spiritual health. The philosophy of Yoga is as ancient as the civilization.
According to one of the classical texts of Yoga known as HathaYoga Pradipika,
Lord Shiva is the first teacher of Yoga when he preached the Ashtang-Yoga to
Mata Parvati. As per Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna is referred as the first
teacher of Yoga.
A significant milestone in the history from where Yoga revived
itself is considered to be the era of Maharshi Patanjali who systematized Yoga,
its meaning and its related knowledge through his Patanjali Yoga Sutras around
400 A.D. So, for discussion on the historical development of Yoga, it may be
divided into three phases:
Pre
Patanjali Period [Before 400 A.D.]
According to Hindu culture beliefs, Yoga is an eternal
philosophy – it has always been there. However, the historical evidences of Yoga
were seen up to 4500 B.C. The main sources related to Yoga during those times
are Vedas, Upanishads, Smrti, Teaching of Buddha, Jainism, Panini, Epics and
Puranas.
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