History of Yoga
YOGA-YOKE Literal translation.
Yoga is union. Union of the body mind and of spirit. The word yoga is a Sanskrit word, the language historically used in ancient India and Tibet where yoga originated from.
Yoga is said to have existed for at least 7000 years. Traditionally yoga was passed down from the teacher to the student without written records. That is until the great sage Patanjali wrote the first detailed exposition of yoga called the sutras.
We cannot adapt an ancient system in it's original form, but whatever way yoga is presented it must in some way represent the simple, inner guidance for the art of living in accordance with the natural laws. The outcome of yoga, if followed in this way, will be clear thinking individuals who are examples to their fellow men, expressing an alternative way of life to the tension ridden society of our modern times.
We in the west have adopted and intergrated some of these valuable yogic principals and teachings in order to cultivate and maintain a healthy body, mind and spirit.
|