The Timeless Wisdom of Yoga

Yoga first took birth as a form of spiritual attainment during the Golden Age. It dates back to almost 26,000 years ago or the time of ‘Sat Yuga’ that we commonly refer to as. Yoga was founded by Sage Patanjali in the city of Rishikesh that is now considered to be the city of Yoga. Yoga started its journey as an ancient Indian science of exercise and healing, passed along from teacher to student through oral tradition and physical practice. Yoga is also known as one of the oldest holistic health care systems, not just because of its fundamental healing approach, but also because of its many benefits for physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Translated from Sanskrit, the classical language of India, the word “yoga” means “union,” or “to yoke or join” This union is about the individual consciousness joining with something greater—some may call that God, the divine or universal consciousness. We also refer to yoga as the union of body, mind and spirit—a union we can reach through the yoga practices of specific postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), relaxation techniques(pratyahara and dharana) and meditation (dhyana).

The history of yoga can be grouped into four periods. The earliest period of Vedic Yoga focused on the Vedas, the sacred scripture of Brahmanism that is the basis of modern-day Hinduism. The Vedas contain the oldest known Yogic teachings. This period was characterized by rituals and ceremonies that allowed one to surpass the limitations of the mind and live in divine harmony.

Pre-classical Yoga lasted for more than 2,000 years, up to the second century A.D. Classical Yoga spanned the period that the physician and philosopher Patanjali describes in his Yoga Sutras, the Eightfold Path to enlightenment. Post classical Yoga leads to the creation of Hatha Yoga, which is currently the form of yoga most practiced in the Western world. Throughout history, yoga masters have brought deep devotion to their teaching, passing on their knowledge to students with passion and humility.

Patanjali, one of the ancient sages of India, was a physician and philosopher, as well as a grammarian. He penned the Yoga Sutras about 2,000 years ago. His writings explain and instruct on all aspects of yoga as a practice; including the ever-pertinent topic of how to handle stress. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is one of the most foundational pieces of yoga literature. It is still taught today, and is a part of almost every aspiring yoga teacher’s curriculum.

Sri. T. Krishnamacharya is a descendant of the legendary yogi Nathamuni, who lived in the 9th century. Krishnamacharya’s teachings were based on his lifetime studies of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Though steeped in the ancient teachings of yoga, he was able to combine them with the evolving needs of yoga students in the modern world. T.K.V. Desikachar, Sri. T. Krishnamacharya’ son began teaching his version of yoga as Vini-Yoga in the 1970s, he continues to teach and evolve his father’s work.

Another outstanding teacher is B.K.S. Iyengar. He studied for with Krishnamacharya before formulating his own style, Iyengar yoga.This classical and therapeutic style of yoga is one of the most widely recognized approaches to Hatha Yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar’s book Light on Yoga has become one of the most popular writings of yoga in the Western world. Another master we want to mention is Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India, founder of Sivananda Yoga. His life was totally devoted to his teachings and his students. His beautiful yoga style is taught in more than 80 centers around the world. His disciple Swami Vishnu-devananda came to the United States in 1957, and established the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. Sri Swami Satchidananda, the late founder of Integral Yoga, believed that true and lasting happiness is our very own nature: what we seek is already found within. Integral yoga is a sweet and gentle style that, today, is taught throughout the world. Yoga should give you pleasant feelings–a way to find physical and spiritual alignment without pressure and strain, and to find your inner balance and peace.

I have recently had several clients, students and colleagues express concern about how they have noticed a “movement” spreading in the yoga world which is dis-encouraging teachers and practicing yogis and Yogini’s from following the guidelines of yogic lineage.

We may use Namaste to close a yoga class as we feel a deep connection and respect towards the teacher and the other yogis/yoginis in the room. The same way you would use Shalom” in Israel as a greeting in many ways not just to say “hello “or “Aloha” in Hawaii has several different meanings as well. 

If we try to decipher and dictate how these greetings should be used, the end goal of why we practice becomes vague and we no longer feel that sense of belonging or deep connection to the history of this ancient practice. It doesn’t matter what clothes you wear, what mat you use, how much Sanskrit you know or if you say “Namaste”; what matters is your practice, your journey and your actions when you step off the mat. 

Let us focus on more of what is truly important and less on trying to change a beautiful ancient practice to suit something we are or may be feeling guilty about.