Where did yoga originate?
Yoga is originated in India 5000 or more years ago. The word yoga is derived from Sanskrit language’s word “yuj” which means unite or join.
Yoga is a science which focuses on achieving harmony between mind and body, man and nature.
The spread of Yoga
It became common in other religions like Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist writings. The practice of yoga in Buddhism religion for both spiritual and meditative use was known as Yogachara which consisted of eight significant steps of meditation called “insight”.
The 1st versions of yoga meant spiritual practices and it revolved around several core values.
After that it became widely valued because of the Indian nationalist movement as a way of building up pride and cultural identity. It was widely promoted by powerful families, institutions, and activities until India attained its independence in 1947.
Oldest form of Yoga
The oldest form of Yoga is Vedic yoga. Seven seers Vasishta, Vamadeva, Bharadwaja, Vishwamitra, Gritsamada, Atriand Kanwa set a path for the entire humanity to follow through their Vedic teachings. Vedas give way to spiritual realisation by unfolding all the universal laws.
5 elements of Yoga
Teachings of Ayurveda is that, universe is made up of five great elements: air, water, fire, earth, and space. They are part of our daily lives. It is a practice that travels out of a thought, feeling or intention to a movement in the body and returning back to enlightenment.
1. Air
It is a symbol of lightness, movement, and expansion. It gives rhythm, grace, mobility, and an open mind. It creates a focus on breathing, breath control, or open and touch senses, leading a path of ideas, inspiration, and energy towards us.
2. Water
It invites softness and transfers fluidity through practice. It is a symbol of fluidity, adaptability and connection.
3. Fire
This element is a symbol of intensity and abundance along with discipline and inspiration.
Light of fire yoga will engage the bandhas with the core muscles and fires us up with a burning passion.
4. Earth
It helps in maintaining awareness of how these positions and physical landmarks affect experience in practice. It is a symbol of being centered and is the expression of everything we practice.
5. Space
This symbol in in yoga consists of being present as well as bringing awareness to what we are sticking with, it is an emotion or thought or tension that we need to leave.
In yoga we want to explore a balance of the elements to bring harmony to our life.
Yoga styles
Most of the type of yoga can be performed on a yoga mat, while others require props and accessories. Some makes durable cork yoga mats meant for active and sweaty poses such as those in Bikram Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga styles, in addition to props, slings, belts and blocks for the Iyengar and Restorative styles.