21/06/2022
Happy International Yoga Day! ๐๐ผ
Yoga is an ancient science that involves physical poses, concentration, deep breathing and meditation. The overall philosophy of yoga is about connecting the mind and body.
Yoga was known and practiced even in very early stages of civilization in India. The earliest recorded mention of the word โyogaโ is in the ancient Indian text, Rig Veda - this body of knowledge dates back to around 1800 BC! Yoga can be traced back to Northern India at least over 5,000 years ago. Written records came much later. In the Indus-Saraswati civilization, dating back to 2700 BC, several seals and fossils have been found, with figures performing Yoga Sadhana.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, โSamatvam Yoga Uchyateโโ equanimity in the mind is a sign of yoga. Yoga is that ability to remain centered in adverse situations.
Maharshi Patanjali was the first one to systematize the practices of yoga. Through his Yoga Sutras, he disseminated the meaning of yoga, and the knowledge it has to offer. He formulated the Astanga yoga or the eight limbs of yoga, which included yamas, niyamas, asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyan, and samadhi.
In the late 19th century, yoga travelled to the west. Swami Vivekananda was the first of the masters who visited US in 1897.
