The History of Yoga and Its 8 Limbs

The roots of yoga go back at least 5,000 years. India is regarded as its birthplace, and the name Patanjali is cited as the father of yoga.

The History of Yoga

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj", meaning "union", and it is thought to be as old as human history. Archaeological evidence containing yoga poses, uncovered in excavations in India, has been dated to as early as 3000 BCE.

The Periods of Yoga History

Many sources divide the history of yoga into 4 main periods:

• The Vedic Period

The Vedas, dated to around 3000-4000 BCE, were written in this period. They are the oldest teachings of yoga, and the word means knowledge. This was the period when knowledge passed down from masters was first written down by students. The Vedas consist of four volumes: the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda.

• The Pre-Classical Period

This is the period formed by the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. The Upanishads contain more than 200 teachings. The Bhagavad Gita is part of the famous epic the Mahabharata and contains yogic teachings in general.

These sacred texts, which explain that everything in the universe is connected, are seen as complementing the Vedas. They aim to help people free themselves from their ego and guide their actions through yoga and meditation.

• The Classical Period

This is the period in which Patanjali, whom we mentioned earlier, defined Classical Yoga (Raja) by compiling the Yoga Sutras, the first authoritative text written on yoga philosophy and practice. The 196 sutras in total discuss ethics and principles for living a meaningful life, and at the same time provide a guide to the eight paths towards awareness and enlightenment. These eight principles are also known as "Patanjali's Eightfold Path".

• The Post-Classical Period

This period includes the many different schools that emerged after Patanjali. Yoga opened up to the Western world in the early 19th century, and in this period it spread around the world with the help of Krishnamacharya (an Indian yoga teacher, Ayurvedic healer, scholar and the father of modern yoga) and his students.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga

This eight-limbed system, also known as Ashtanga Yoga and developed by Patanjali, was arranged to purify the mind and body in a set order:

1. Yamas: These consist of 5 vows about the conduct a person should have when practising yoga. They are commitments a person makes to themselves that guide how they behave towards others:
   • • Ahimsa: do no harm
     • Satya: be truthful
     • Asteya: do not steal
     • Brahmacharya: govern your desires
     • Aparigraha: do not be greedy or possessive
2. Niyamas: Practised in harmony with the Yamas, the Niyamas form a set of standards that help nourish the mind, spirit and body:
   • • Saucha: purity
     • Santosha: contentment
     • Tapas: effort and discipline
     • Svadhyaya: self-study
     • Ishvara Pranidhana: surrender to the absolute and the sacred
3. Asana: The physical practices (body posture techniques), made up of the trio of stretching, posture and breath. They aim to ease negative emotions and stress and to increase a sense of contentment.
4. Pranayama: This limb is focused on breath control. Breathing practices aim to cultivate a calm, strong mind and open the door to the experience of an inner journey.
5. Pratyahara: Also called the control of the senses. By focusing on and developing each of the senses separately, it supports awareness of the present moment.
6. Dharana: This limb involves concentration techniques and supports deeper mental focus.
7. Dhyana: The state of positive thought and meditation. It aims to bring the experience of spiritual elevation, control of mind and emotion, and self-knowledge.
8. Samadhi: The state of becoming one with the universe. It is also called the stage of enlightenment, or Nirvana.

These eight limbs of yoga are holistic steps that complement and support one another. When practised, they bring with them a positive awareness of life.