Updated on: 02.04.2025
The origins of Yoga are lost in the mist of time. Tantric philosophy is considered the mother of Yoga, with yoga often viewed as the more practical aspect of Tantra (6500-4500 BC). Yoga was once a worldwide culture evidenced by ancient statues which have been unearthed in Columbia and other parts of the world depicting figures in yogic postures.
Yoga is expounded upon in more detail in the Vedas (5000-4000 BC). Since then, yoga has been influenced down the ages by the main philosophical schools of India, particularly Vedanta and later Samkhya.
Yoga is a vast dynamic philosophical, practical and lifestyle system that has core principles and many variations for application according to the needs of the time, cultural situations, and subjective experiences.
Where does yoga come from?
According to mythology, Shiva was the first yogi. Parvati, Shiva’s consort, upon seeing the suffering of the world asked what could be done to alleviate all the suffering and, in reply, Shiva transmitted the knowledge of yoga. Thus, Parvati was his first disciple and from that first transmission yoga was passed on to humanity.
The yoga that Shiva first expounded upon is called Pashupata yoga. The human spirit is bound (pashu) and it wants to be freed and reach a state of liberation (pati). So, the yoga that Shiva transmitted to Parvati was to bring release from suffering and improve the quality of life.
What are the earliest recorded references to yoga in ancient texts?
The earliest recorded references to yoga in ancient texts date back to the time of the Vedas and Upanishads, which mention yogic principles and practices. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, written approximately 2,000 years ago, systematized the mental and ethical aspects of yoga, while texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita further elaborated on physical practices. Additionally, tantric traditions attribute the origins of yoga to Lord Shiva, who is said to have first taught
yoga to his disciple Parvati. References to yoga also appear in the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, indicating its long-standing historical presence.
Swami Niranjananda Saraswati, the current spiritual preceptor of Satyananda Yoga, mentions in his book Yoga Chakra: The Wheel of Yoga (Part 1) that there are references to yoga practices that predate Rama and Krishna, extending back into the Satya Yuga, or the "Golden Age." This was a time when higher knowledge and yoga were naturally practiced by humanity. However, there are no direct textual references.
What are some key milestones in the history of yoga?
In Satyananda Yoga we typically speak about three epochs or ages in yoga.
The first age or period is Shiva’s Pashupata yoga, which was transmitted to Parvati. Yoga was then a means to alleviate suffering and to connect with innate happiness. As the story goes, during Shiva’s recitation Parvati fell asleep. However, a fish listening in, nearby, heard all that Parvati had missed. When Shiva realised what had happened, that fish who had absorbed the knowledge of yoga from Shiva, was reborn as a great Hatha yogi called Matsyendranath. There was also a snake nearby who had been listening and that snake eventually reincarnated as Sage Patanjali, who wrote a treatise on Raja yoga.
During this first age there were also Dattatreya and the seven rishis or great sages who are said to have received the knowledge of yoga directly from the source, Lord Shiva. These sages became the means for yoga to be presented to the world in the ancient cultures, world-wide.
The second age or middle period is calculated approximately 500BC - 15th century. During this time, many great ascetics and sannyasins earnestly applied the techniques, perfected the practices and documented their experiences and revelations in commentaries on the ancient texts. The emphasis was on expanding awareness and enriching the science of yoga, elaborating on the different branches of yoga to suit the different personality types and cultural needs. Thus, knowledge of the branches of yoga was explored and passed on from one generation to the next – from teacher to disciple. Some examples of the ancient texts that expound on the different branches of yoga are:
Hatha yoga: Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Svattmarama, Gherard Samhita by Sage Gherard, and the Shiva Samhita (unknown writer).
Raja yoga: Yoga Yajnavalkya by sage Yajnavalkya and Yoga Sutras by sage Patanjali . Interestingly one can see the dynamic character of the yoga transmission from how yoga is defined by these two sages. According to Yajnavalkya (much earlier historically), yoga is defined as union of the individual self with the supreme self, whereas Patanjali defines yoga as blocking the modifications of consciousness.
Bhakti yoga: Naradha Bhakti sutras by sage Narada.
During this middle period the Samkhya philosophy was founded by Kapila. The teachings of Gautama Buddha are also said to have arisen at this time, and with the spread of Buddhism, yoga also spread and shifted its outer appearance. Some other great sages of this era include Marpa, Milarepa, Adi Shankaracharya and many others.
The present age or contemporary period, which covers approximately the last 150 years, is an explosion of yogic teachings being revived in the East and the West.
When and how did yoga evolve into the practice we recognize today?
During the present age or contemporary period, many great gurus traveled to the West or sent their disciples, to disseminate the teachings and practices of yoga e.g. Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Yukteshwar, Swami Yogananda, Sri Aurobindu (the father of Integral yoga), Ramana Maharshi, Maharshi Mahesh Yogi (taught TM, Transcendental Meditation), Swami Prabhupada (established the Hari Krishna organisations), Swami Rama, Yogi Bhajan, Ragnesh (Osho), and many, many others.
Sri Swami Sivananda also had many great disciples, including Sri Swami Satyananda, who is the founder of the Satyananda Yoga tradition we practice today.
Yoga was adapted to the cultures, the aspirations and the needs of the people. In the west focus started primarily on the physical body, health and beauty. Thus, the most well-known and popular practices are the asanas, otherwise known as physical postures. Later,relaxation techniques, meditation and breathing techniques, became popular whose aim was mainly for relaxation purposes.
How has yoga changed compared to its original form?
Shiva spoke about outer yoga, bahiranga yoga which engaged the body, prana and mind as relating to the senses, and inner yoga, antaranga yoga, which engaged the mind and the spirit, consciousness. He also spoke about four main branches of yoga: mantra yoga, laya yoga, hatha yoga, and raja yoga.
We can see there were fewer branches, and probably more succinct practices as everything was passed down through oral transmission – there were no written texts. Also, we can presume that many of the variations and additional practices derived from later commentaries.
On a deeper level the yoga practices are the original practices. The presentation, dress codes, venues, names and forms have multiplied into what is rightly called today ‘Supermarket’ yoga. Yoga for every type of consumer. However, in a mysterious way, no matter what one’s point of entry into yoga is, the sincere aspirant finds their way to a genuine system and sincere teacher. How yoga is practiced depends on why one practices. One can remain superficial or go very deep. The key is to find a teacher who is themselves always a student, belonging to an established, recognised and long-standing tradition.
How did the history of yoga contribute to its diverse forms and styles today?
The history of yoga has played a crucial role in shaping its diverse forms and styles. Yoga can be divided into three distinct periods:
- Early Period: This era is associated with Shiva, Dattatreya, and the Nath yogis, who developed yoga as a means to enhance life by managing pain, suffering, and mental distractions. Pashupata yoga, the original form of yoga, later evolved into various branches such as hatha yoga, raja yoga, kriya yoga, and kundalini yoga.
- Middle Period: During this time, sages like Patanjali, Gheranda, and Swatmarama formalized different yogic disciplines. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras systematized raja yoga, while hatha yoga was developed through texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Other yogas like karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and jnana yoga also emerged during this period.
- Modern Period: The past hundred years have seen the re-emergence of yoga, driven by pioneers like Swami Vivekananda, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Swami Sivananda, and B.K.S. Iyengar. These teachers popularized yoga in the West and expanded its scope beyond spiritual enlightenment to include physical, mental, and therapeutic benefits.
This historical evolution has led to a wide range of yoga styles practiced today, from traditional forms like hatha and raja yoga to modern adaptations like power yoga, hot yoga, and therapeutic forms of yoga.
What is the influence of yoga on modern wellness practices?
Yoga started becoming popular for its therapeutic effects in the West in the present age through teachers like Krishnamacharya, TKV Desikachar, BKS Iyenger and Patabi Jois (developed Ashtanga yoga).
The healing benefits of yoga are not only experienced by practitioners, but publicized in prominent medical journals for a wide range of conditions. This is only natural because yoga essentially brings the body, breath and mind into alignment, in the present, which has a profound relaxing and restorative effect. It balances the autonomic nervous system and frees one from emotional stress.
Yoga also offers effective lifestyle solutions for example, to improve nutrient absorption and sleep, in this way positively impacting on physical health, and mental and emotional well-being.
How has the history of yoga influenced its popularity today?
The historical development of yoga has significantly influenced its global popularity.
- Ancient Foundations: Yoga was originally practiced as a means of self-discipline and personal transformation rather than solely for spiritual enlightenment. This practical approach made it adaptable to different cultures and time periods.
- Colonial and Modern Revival: During British rule in India, yoga was often misunderstood as a mystical or religious practice. However, in the 19th and 20th centuries, figures like Swami Vivekananda and Swami Sivananda reintroduced yoga to a global audience, presenting it as a holistic practice that integrates physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
- Global Spread and Commercialization: In the mid-20th century, yoga gained popularity in the West, with a focus on its physical and mental benefits. This shift led to the rise of yoga as a mainstream practice, with asana (posture) becoming the most recognized aspect. Today, yoga is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with a vast array of styles, teacher training programs, and wellness applications.
- Scientific and Therapeutic Validation: Research has increasingly validated yoga’s benefits for stress reduction, mental clarity, and physical health, further boosting its popularity in medical and therapeutic settings.
Thus, yoga’s historical journey—from an ancient discipline to a globally recognized wellness practice—has made it accessible and relevant to modern society.