Yoga History & Philosophy Pt. 1

Yoga grew from many spiritual traditions such as…

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.

the earliest known writings on yoga, originated in 1700-1100 BCE

The Vedas

Yoga definition

to yoke/unite, union of self and universal spirit

the principal tool the Vedic seers describe in the Rig Veda

Meditation, primary form through mantra

written around 800-200 BCE, thorough explanations of yoga practice, groundwork for many core yoga principles

The Upanishads

Brahman

infinite, eternal universal spirit

Atman

individual soul, inner essence

explains 3 primary paths of yoga

The Bhagavad Gita/Song of God

Karma Yoga

path of selfless service

Jnana Yoga

path of wisdom & knowledge

Bhakti Yoga

path of devotion & love for the divine

composed around 200 CE, set of 196 verses, guides to reach Samadhi

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

8 Limbs of Yoga

• yama

• niyama

• asana

• pranayama

• pratyahara

• dharana

• dhyana

• samadhi

yama

moral discipline (treat others)

niyama

positive observances (treat self)

asana

physical postures

pranayama

breath control

pratyahara

sense withdrawal

dharana

concentration

dhyana

meditation

samadhi

enlightenment

Yamas

• ahimsa

• satya

• asteya

• aparigraha

• brahmacharya

ahimsa

non-harming

satya

truth

asteya

non-stealing

aparigraha

non-attachment

brahmacharya

use of energy, sexual energy

Niyamas

• saucha

• santosha

• tapas

• svadhyaya

• ishvara pranidhana

saucha

purity & cleaniness

santosha

contentment

tapas

self-discipline

svadhyaya

self study

ishvara pranidhana

surrender to higher power

everything in the universe is an expression of the divine & can be tapped into as a source of divine consciousness & being

tantra