In fact, the only mention Patanjali makes of asana is in the instruction “Sthira Sukham Asanam,” which translates to “the yoga pose should be steady and comfortable.” Yet beyond a brief reference to a seated meditation posture (the Sanskrit word “asana” literally means “seat”), physical yoga practice is notably absent from the Yoga Sutras. It is the third limb, asana (AH-su-nuh), or physical postures, that most yoga practitioners today are familiar with. Note that Patanjali's description of Ashtanga is different from the physical practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga followed in the West today.
Similar to the Upanishads, Patanjali defines yoga in the Sutras as “the restraint of the modifications of the mind.”
The eight limbs are inward restraints, outward actions, physical postures, breath control, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation, and oneness with all. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali outlines the Eight Limbs of Yoga, or Ashtanga (“eight-limbed”) yoga. The sutras describe the personal power and liberation available through yoga, and include rules regarding prayer and worship, eating, breathing, attitudes, thoughts, meditation, and even sexual relations. On the heels of the Upanishads came the Bhagavad Gita in 200 BCE, the Hindu story of moral dilemma, which underscored the importance of meditation to overcome suffering.Īnd in 150 BCE, the sage Patanjali published the Yoga Sutras, a collection of aphorisms guiding the lifestyle and habits of those seeking to attain wisdom through yoga. Note there is no mention of physical practice in these texts - only philosophy, worship, and meditation. The Upanishads, which focus on philosophy, contain the first documented use of the term “yoga,” where it refers to a firm holding back of the senses to join with the supreme state of being. Comprised of songs and poems, the Vedas tell stories of the Hindu gods while referencing yoga techniques in Vedic rituals. However, these civilizations predate written history, so this theory remains conceptual and perhaps not entirely accurate.Įarly Sanskrit (the Indian spiritual language) texts such as the Vedas(1500 BCE) and the Upanishads(500 BCE) explain and explore yoga as a means of access to the Divine and a way to connect the earthly form with the spiritual form. Some archaeologists and yogis believe ancient yoga principles sprang from the shamanism and early spirituality of the Stone Age. The goal of hatha yoga is to balance mind, body, and spirit through physical practice, breath work, and meditation. The physical practice of yoga - hatha yoga - is the most predominant form in the West today, although it really only developed into its current form over the last 200 years. One translation of the word “yoga” is “union” - thus, the practices seek to bring union in some form or another: Body, mind, and spirit earthly and divine even oneness with all. Though the ultimate goals may vary, each style requires self-inquiry and certain disciplines to reach the desired state. The six main variations of yoga in Hindu philosophy are raja, karma, jnana, bhakti, tantra, and hatha. The practices we recognize today are the result of the creative merging and development of philosophies over thousands of years, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Yoga's history is vast and complex, with dozens - perhaps hundreds - of texts, teachers, and traditions that sometimes agree with and sometimes contradict one another. There is no singular fixed yoga tradition. But it's also a 5,000-year-old system of mental and physical practices originating in India, which includes philosophy, meditation, breath work, lifestyle and behavior principles, and physical exercise. Yoga is a popular way to increase flexibility, gain strength, and reduce stress.
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