A lot many people in today times practice yoga for their well being , but do not know the history of yoga. The people in the west feel that this technique is a mysterious act of the east. The people in the east ridicule this as a crazy act performed by their forefathers. Yoga has lot more than meets the eye. A great deal of thought and research has gone behind the creation of yoga techniques.
Place of Origin
The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings, and is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, meaning “to control”, “to yoke” or “to unite. Translations include “joining”, “uniting”, “union”, “conjunction”, and “means. An alternate root from which the word yoga may be derived is “yujir samadhau”, which means “contemplation” or “absorption.
Yoga was founded by the Indus valley people in (3300- 1700 BC) as a physical and mental exercise. The people then followed this disciple to attain spiritual growth. These practices have been mentioned in the sacred texts of Upanishads. Yoga then encouraged the union of the external and internal self.
Yogis usually think of God as an impersonal, spiritual substance, coexisting with all of reality. Yoga has its mention in the Bhagavad Gita ( The Sacred Text of the Hindus) where there is an entire chapter dedicated to the practices of yoga In these chapters yoga is divided into three types which are:
1) Karma Yoga – Yoga of Action
2) Bhakti Yoga – Yoga of Spiritualism
3) Gnana Yoga – Yoga of Knowledge
The practices of yoga also find its mention in other traditions like Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. As its has been mentioned in such ancient text of the above mentioned religions, the practice has survived till date.
Yoga Today:
Yoga practiced today s is very different from what it was practiced by the ancient people. Today yoga has not only become a thriving business but it has also become a fashion statement. Science has now proved that yoga can prevent and cure diseases and can help mankind lead a stress free life.