Yoga History
As far back as the Vedas, India’s ancient texts, there were spells for the healing of disease and for long life. There were hymns written about the worship of deities like Surya {the sun}, Vayu {the wind} and Prthivi {the earth}, all of which relate to the elements and observe the importance and respect of nature.
The early work of the Upanishads was famous for its doctrine of the ‘Five sheaths’ of the self; food, breath, mind, intellect and bliss. These layers were purified and disciplined through the practice of yoga, working from the outermost sheath of the body until it reached the inner most sheath of the divine body, the grace of the self.
The earliest Indian philosophy, including the Upanishads, was taught through word of mouth. The great sages would speak of their illumined experiences and share the knowledge and truth by which ignorance could be destroyed.
The Indian sage Patanjali compiled these oral teachings into his classical work the ‘yoga sutras’, a 2000 year old treatise on yogic philosophy. He believed salvation could be attained by disciplined activity. He gave guidance of how to gain mastery over the mind and emotions and advice on spiritual growth through a framework of what is known as the ‘8 limbs of yoga’. He chose the working of the mind and consciousness as the main theme of yoga philosophy and practiced and focused on meditation.
Through the practice and purifications of the 8 limbs/Ashtanga yoga, the disturbance of the mind and emotions are dissolved and the identity with the limited ego is transcended, leaving one with the presence of pure bliss and fulfilment. This is the fruit of yoga-Samadhi.
The Indo-European language of the Vedas was Sanskrit. The Sanskrit word for ‘Yoga’ has several translations and can be interpreted in many ways. Yoga has a meaning of uniting or to join.
One can experience this union during a yoga practice, when the body, mind and breath merge into one-pointed attention during a pose or in final relaxation. This sensation can be interpreted as total absorption and joy. Ultimately, yoga is the union of the soul with the universal soul.
Prana is energy and is usually translated as breath. It is the breath of all life of all beings in the universe. It is all vibrating energy.
Hatha Yoga
All styles of yoga are part of the Hatha yoga system.
Ha means sun and Tha means moon. The meaning of the word conveys the intention of bringing together the worlds of opposition.
Hatha yoga is known for the physical aspect of yoga; the practice of yoga poses and the use of the breath to reach a spiritual goal. Its physical discipline was developed as a vehicle for meditation. The practice prepared the body and the nervous system for stillness, creating the necessary physical strength and stamina that allowed the mind to remain calm and deepen the experience of meditation.
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