The History of Yoga

---

The History of Yoga tells us it began in India 3,000 to 4,000 years ago.

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit language and means, to connect or join together. Union.

It was developed by an Indian Hindu named Patanjali.

It is meant to stretch the muscles, strengthen the body and boost concentration. It can also help you calm down, if you have trouble relaxing.

It’s believed Yoga began as part of India's philosophical structure, though not everyone practiced yoga, and it has never reached the level of a religion.

---

Benefits of Yoga

---

It’s not surprising this ancient discipline has become popular with today’s entertainers and athletes. Depending on the practitioner, yoga can simply be a set of exercises or a complete way of life.

Nearly 5 million people in the United States practice yoga. Dance and stretching exercise classes usually contain parts and pieces that come directly from yoga. If you have ever needed physical therapy, he or she may have given you therapeutic exercises that are actually yoga postures.

There are several types of yoga in the history of yoga. The yoga seen on TV or experienced at the local Y or adult education class is known as Hatha yoga, or physical yoga. Sometimes it's known as the yoga for health. Sometimes you may find yoga being used in a hospital or medical setting. Countless health professionals today feel yoga can be part of an overall health treatment plan.

Hatha yoga has three parts: a series of exercises or movements called asana (poses or postures in English), breathing techniques of all kinds, and relaxation.

Some who apply yoga, called yogis, try to draw on the discipline to reach a higher level of consciousness. They value certain abstentions like not lying, stealing, being greedy or harming others. They also practice certain observances, such as being hygienic, content, self-controlled, academic and dedicated.

Physical control is also significant in yoga. Yogis train themselves to take full, deep breaths. They regard breathing as a life force, counting a lifespan not in years but in the number of breaths taken.

Unlike exercises that work only on strength, yoga also helps the body become supple. As a result, some yoga exercises (called asanas) look a little bizarre, and you may feel you need to be a human pretzel to do them. Not so. You simply need to relax.

In yoga, you ease into stretches, never pushing yourself into position. The saying no pain--no gain just doesn’t apply. You do the best you can at the moment, knowing that at sometime in the future you can do more.

All yoga poses require balance which also demands concentration. Learn to concentrate in yoga, and you will be better able to concentrate in basketball, driving, or at work or school.

The History of Yoga exercises reflect nature. Many yoga poses can be traced to the shapes of living things like the cobra, cat, dog, tortoise, crab or eagle.

In the cobra pose, for example, you ask yourself, “What would it feel like to be a cobra.” You lie on your stomach with your forehead to the floor. As you inhale, slowly roll your head back, supporting yourself with your hands. You hold that pose, and then come down slowly, trying to move as a snake would move.

All yoga exercises promote strength and serenity. Each pose’s effects on a muscle, a gland or a nerve center are carefully considered in their creation.

You can choose particular asanas to rid yourself of certain pains, such as back pain from lifting heavy objects or leg pain from hiking. Yoga can help condition you for skiing or help you control feelings of depression or fear.

Any good book on the history of yoga will describe various exercises and explain how each benefits your body and mind. You may even do yoga already. Have you ever done a handstand, or cart-wheel? Many exercise programs borrow from yoga and chances are, you’ve experienced the benefits already.

Yoga Review

From History of Yoga to Home Page