SATYASYA SATYAM “THE TRUTH OF THE TRUTH”- UPANISHADS
HISTORY OF YOGA(with reference after collecting from various sources)
Saivite siddhantic
tradition
Nandi (Sanskrit: नन्दि, Tamil: நந்தி) is the name of the gate-
guardian deity of Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva.
Nandinatha is considered as the chief guru of eight
disciples.
Nandinatha Sampradaya –
1. Sanaka,
2. Sanatana,
3. Sanandana,
4. Sanatkumara,
5. Tirumular,
6. Vyagrapada,
7. Patanjali and
8. Sivayoga Muni
who were send to eight directions to spread the wisdom of Shaivism.
The word’Nandi has come from Tamil root wordNandh (Tamil:
நந்து) means to grow, to flourish or to appear.
The Sanskrit word Nandi (Sanskrit: नन्दि) has
the meaning of “happy”, “joy” and “satisfaction”; also said as the properties
of divine guardian of Lord Shiva.
Nandi got the divine knowledge of Agamic and Tantric wisdom taught by Lord
Shiva from goddess Parvati. He could teach that divine knowledge to his Eight
disciples who are identified as the progenitors of Nandinatha
Sampradaya.
Tamil Saiva Siddhanta
tradition (10th century AD)
Patañjali learned Yoga along with seven other disciples
from the great Yogic Guru Nandhi Deva, as stated in Tirumular’s Tirumandiram
(Tantra 1).
"Nandhi arulPetra Nadharai Naadinom
Nandhigal Nalvar Siva Yoga MaaMuni
Mandru thozhuda Patañjali Vyakramar
Endrivar Ennodu (Thirumoolar) Enmarumaame"
Translation:
“We sought the feet of the God who graced Nandikesvara. The Four Nandhis,
Sivayoga Muni, Patañjali, Vyaghrapada and I (Thirumoolar). We were these
eight.”
YOGA (Sanskrit word Yuj: a union)
“Atha yoga anushasanam” Yoga is a discipline
• In a yogic term it means spiritual growth and finally leads to
self-realization.
• Spirituality comes with right practice of yoga Asanas, Pranayama, including
Yam and Niyama.
• Dharnaand Dhyana are inner practices which one can enter effortlessly by
following the earlier ones
• Meditation is a state of mind and is a process which just happens.
• Doesn’t belong to any religion.
• It’s a way of life, a disciplined life to bring confidence in you in all
walks of life.
• Patanjali, one of the world’s greatest sages practiced and taught in India
somewhere between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. • Often called the “Father of Yoga,
Patanjali was the sage who codified his thoughts and knowledge of yoga in The
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.
• In this work, Patanjali compiled 196 sutras or concise aphorisms that are
essentially an ethical blueprint for living a moral life and incorporating the
science of yoga into your life.
Traditional Yoga
Father of yoga : ‘Sage Patanjali’
Verse by Bhoja at the start of his commentary on the YogaSutras called
Rājamārttanda (11th century), and the following verse found in Shivarama’s
18th-century text
"Yogena Cittasya Padena Vaacaam |
Malam Shariirasya Ca Vaidyakena ||
Yo[a-A]paakaro[a-U]ttamam Pravaram Muniinaam |
Patan.jalim Praan.jalir-Aanato[a-A]smi ||"
English translation:”I bow with my
hands together to the eminent sage Patañjali, who removed the impurities of the
mind through yoga, of speech through grammar, and of the body through
medicine.”
Patañjali wrote treatises on
1. Grammar
2. Medicine
3. and Yoga
Patanjali has given us the depth of Yoga through these
196 Yoga Sutras(aphorisms). It was the most translated ancient Indian text in
the medieval era, having been translated into about forty Indian languages and
two non-Indian languages: Old Javanese and Arabic. The text fell into obscurity
for nearly 700 years from the 12’th to 19’th century, and made a comeback in
late 19’th century due to the efforts of Swami Vivekananda and others. It
gained prominence again as a comeback classic in the 20’th century.
Patanjalatantra
(medical text)
Patanjali is also the reputed author of a medical text
called Patanjalah, also called Patanjala or Patanjalatantra.
This text is quoted in many yoga and health-related
Indian texts. Patanjali is called a medical authority in a number of Sanskrit
texts such as:
Yogaratnakara,
Yogaratnasamuccaya,
Padarthavijnana,
Cakradatta bhasya
Some of these quotes are unique to Patanjala, but others are also found in
major Hindu medical treatises such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhit.
ASHTANGA YOGA by Patanjali
Ashtanga yoga of Patanjali consists of 8 limbs
Yamas
Yamas are ethical rules in Hinduism and can be thought of
as moral imperatives. The five yamas listed by Patañjali in Yogasūtra are
1. Ahiṃsā : Nonviolence, non-harming other living beings.
2. Satya: truthfulness, non-falsehood.
3. Asteya : non-stealing.
4. Brahmacārya : chastity,marital fidelity or sexual restrain.
5. Aparigraha : non-avarice, non-possessiveness.
Niyama
The second component of Patanjali’s Yoga path is called
niyama, which includes virtuous habits, behaviors and observances (the “dos”)
Sadhana Pada Verse 32 lists the Niyamas as
1. Śauca: purity, clearness of mind, speech and body.
2. Santoṣa: contentment, acceptance of others, acceptance of one’s
circumstances as they are in order to get past or change them, optimism for
self.
3. Tapas: persistence, perseverance, austerity.
4. Svādhyāya: study of Vedas (see Sabda in epistemology section), study of
self, self-reflection, introspection of self’s thoughts, speeches and actions.
5. Īśvarapraṇidhāna: contemplation of the Ishvara (God/Supreme Being, Brahman,
True Self, Unchanging Reality.
Āsana
स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥(Sanskrit
English translation:
I. Sthiram sukham Asanam
II. Motionless and Agreeable form (of staying) is Asana (yoga posture).
Asana is thus a posture that one can hold for a period of
time, staying relaxed, steady, comfortable and motionless. Patanjali does not
list any specific asana, except the terse suggestion,”posture one can hold with
comfort and motionlessness
Prānāyāma
Prāṇāyāma is made out of two Sanskrit words Prāṇa
(breath) and Ayāma (restraining, extending, stretching).
After a desired posture has been achieved, verses through recommend the next
limb of yoga, prāṇāyāma, which is the practice of consciously regulatingbreath
(inhalation and exhalation).
Pratyāhāra
Pratyāhāra is a combination of two Sanskrit words prati-
(the prefix – “against” or “contra”) and āhāra ( “bring near, fetch”).
Pratyahara is drawing within one’s awareness. It is a process of retracting the
sensory experience from external objects. It is a step of self-extraction and
abstraction. Pratyahara is not consciously closing one’s eyes to the sensory
world; it is consciously closing one’s mind processes to the sensory world.
Dhāranā
Dharana meansconcentratio, introspective focus and
one-pointedness of mind. The root of word isdhṛ which has a meaning of “to
hold, maintain, keep”.
Dharana as the sixth limb of yoga is holding one’s mind onto a particular inner
state, subject or topic of one’s mind.
Dhyāna
Dhyana literally means “contemplation, reflection” and
“profound, abstract meditation”.
Dhyana is contemplating, reflecting on whatever Dharana has focused on. If in
the sixth limb of yoga one focused on a personal deity, Dhyana is its
contemplation.
Samādhi
Samadhi literally means “putting together, joining,
combining with, union, harmonious whole, trance”.
Samadhi is oneness with the subject of meditation.
HATHA YOGA
Hatha yoga by founder ‘Sage Matsyendranath’
Matsyendranātha, Macchindranāth or
Mīnanātha (c. early 10th century) was a saint and yogi in a number of Buddhist
and Hindu traditions. He is traditionally considered the founder of hatha yoga
as well as the author of some of its earliest texts.
He is also seen as the founder of the Natha sampradaya, having received the
teachings from Shiva He is especially associated with kaulashaivism. He is also
one of the eighty-four Mahasiddhas and considered the guru of Gorakshanath,
another important figure in early hatha yoga. He is revered by bothHindus and
Buddhist and is sometimes regarded as an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara.
Yogi Swatmarama Yogi Swatmarama was a
15th and 16th century yogic sage in India. He is best known for compiling the
yoga manual Hatha Pradipika or Light on Hatha Yoga. This manual describes the
use of:
Asanas,
Pranayama,
Shatkarma,
Mudras, and
Bandhas,
and their practice as the means to awaken the Kundalini, leading to deeper and
deeper states of Samadhi. Svatmarama maintains throughout the text that Hatha
Yoga’s true purpose is the arousal of the Kundalini, until perfection in Raja
Yoga is achieved, i.e. liberation.
Hatha Yoga
Asanas
In Hatha Yoga asana is spoken as first part of yoga. It’s spoken as a specific
position which opens up the energy channels and psychic centers and
restructures the Pranic flow. Hatha Yogi says once you develop control over the
body, you can control the mind. Swami Swatmarama describes 33 asanas (30 asanas
are mentioned below). Which are essential and practiced by founders of Hatha
Yoga .
1. Siddhasana (siddha in Sanskrit means “perfect” and “adept”)
2. Padmasana(lotus)
3. Baddh padamsana
4. Bhadrasana (bound angle butterfly)
5. Muktasana (liberation)
6. Vajrasana (vajra in Sanskrit means “thunderbolt” or “diamond)
7. Svastikasana (prosperous – similar to Siddhasana except top foot is tucked
into top thigh)
8. Simhasana (lion)
9. Gomukhasana (cow face)
10. Virasana (hero) or ardh padamsana
11. Dhanurasana (bow)
12. Mritasana (Savasana or Shavasana, corpse)
13. Guptasana (variation to Siddhasana where organ of generation is hidden by
both heels, gupta in Sanskrit means hidden)
14. Gatsyasana (fish)
15. Gatsyendrasana (Lord of the Fishes, seated twist; see half seated twist
Ardha Matsyendrasana and Complete Lord of the Fishes Paripurna Matsyendrasana)
16. Gorakshana or Baddh Konasana
17. Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend)
18. Utkatasana (chair)
19. Mayurasana (peacock)
20. Kukkutasana (cock or rooster)
21. Kurmasana (turtle)
22. Uttanakurmakasana
23. Vrikshasana (tree)
24. Mandukasana
25. Garudasana (eagle)
26. Vrikshasana
27. Shalabhasana (locust)
28. Makarasana (crocodile)
29. Bhujangasana (cobra)
30. Yogasana (staff or Dandasana)
RAJA YOGA
Raja Yoga is Yoga of the mind. It
focuses on the intellectual, emotional and intuitive parts of the personality.
Its purpose is to awaken hidden potential through true understanding. It
requires us to raise the lower mind to the higher mind, from a sensory
experience to enlightenment. Ideally, it is paired with and practiced after
Hatha Yoga, which prepares the physical body for deep meditation.
Examples are Sages and Rishis who are pure hatha yogis and also in process of
raja yoga.
KARMA YOGA
Karma Yoga is the Yoga of action.
This means the act of giving your time, efforts and kindness or any selfless
action without expectations of reciprocation or personal gain. This means
acting without the intention of a reward, confirmation or approval. It can be
an unnoticed deed, for example, such as cleaning up litter, fixing a fallen
sign or saving a drowning insect from the pool simply from the kindness of your
own heart. Karma Yoga revolves around doing things for the greater good and is
the most humbling of the many Yoga limbs.
Example of Karma Yogi: Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa Fifth type of
traditional yoga Jnana Yoga
JNANA YOGA
Jnana Yoga is the Yoga of knowledge and wisdom. It is the
Yoga of self-inquiry and asking questions such as, “Who am I?” without the
interference of any previous conditioning or assumptions – To know that we
don’t know and look within for all of the answers. Ultimately, we recognize and
separate from ego and remain as the true Self.
Example or Jyana Yogi: Swami Vivekananda
BHAKTI YOGA
Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion and love for the
Supreme, God or a Guru. It is characterized by creating a loving, long-lasting
personal relationship with the Beloved in whatever form it may take for you. It
transcends all religions and is absolutely universal – The power of Love!
Example: Meera Bai and her devotion to lord Krishna
MANTRA YOGA
Mantra Yoga is the Yoga of primordial sounds that vibrate
with the universe.
Mantras are Sankrit words and phrases that are spiritually powered. They are
repeated (called Japa) and chanted with concentration. This ultimately leads to
the dissolving of the outer worlds, which then allows for union with the
universe.
TANTRA YOGA
Tantra Yoga is the Yoga of energies. The main purpose is to bring the duality
of feminine (Shakti) and masculine (Shiva) energies within us together into a
state of non-duality and thus achieving perfect union.
In some parts of the East, Tantra is looked down upon and not considered a type
of Yoga. This is most likely due to the fact that it is often misunderstood,
misconstrued and abused.
Modern Yoga
Father of Modern Yoga: Tirumalai Krishnamacharya
(November 18, 1888 – February 28, 1989)
Modern postural yoga encompasses a vast array of disciplines and has become a
worldwide phenomenon over recent decades. Its origins are often credited to
Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras, which lays forth a map for how to fix
the dilemma of human life. From this work we see the beginnings of
Krishnamacharya.
He was an Indian yoga teacher, ayurvedic healer and
scholar. Often referred to as “the father of modern yoga, Krishnamacharya is
widely regarded as one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th
century and is credited with the revival of hatha yoga.
Krishnamacharya held degrees in all the six Vedic
darśanas, or Indian philosophies. While under the patronage of the King of
Mysore, Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV, Krishnamacharya traveled around India giving
lectures and demonstrations to promote yoga, including such feats as stopping
his heartbeat.
He is widely considered as the architect of vinyāsa. in
the sense of combining breathing with movement. Underlying all of
Krishnamacharya’s teachings was the principle “Teach what is appropriate for an
individual., Krishnamacharya based his teachings on the Yoga Sutras of
Patanjali and the Yoga Yajnavalkya. Whereas Krishnamacharya was deeply devoted
to Vaishnavism, he also respected his students’ varying religious beliefs, or
non-beliefs
He authored four books on yoga
Yoga Makaranda (1934),
Yogaasanagalu (c. 1941),
Yoga Rahasya,
Yogavalli (Chapter 1 – 1988)— as well as several essays and poetic
compositions.
Some of Krishnamacharya’s students include many of yoga’s
most renowned teachers:
1. Indra Devi (1899–2002),
2. K. Pattabhi Jois (1915–2009),
3. B.K.S. Iyengar (1918-2014),
4. T.K.V. Desikachar (1938-2016),
5. Srivatsa Ramaswami (born 1939),
6. G. Mohan (born 1945)
Krishnamacharya was the brother-in-law of B.K.S. Iyengar,
the founder of the style of yoga known as “Iyengar Yoga,” who credits
Krishnamacharya with encouraging him to learn yoga as a young person in 1934.
His scholarship in various darshanas of orthodox Indian
philosophy earned him titles such as Sāṃkhya-yoga-śikhāmaṇi, Mīmāṃsā-ratna,
Mīmāṃsā-thīrtha, Nyāyācārya, Vedāntavāgīśa, Veda-kesari and Yogācārya.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa Yoga is a common form of Yoga which includes a
seamless flow of various asana along with Pranayama. Each sequence is unique
and ever-changing similar to the flow of life
Kundalini
Kundalini Yoga is an extremely powerful Yoga which
awakens the Kundalini energies that lies dormant at the base of the spine and
travels upward through the chakras. It includes intense breathing, energizing
movements and chanting.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga is an intense form of Yoga, which includes
various postures. The asana are combined with the breath and progress into
advanced asana to tone and master the body.
Iyengar
Iyengar Yoga is a versatile form of Hatha Yoga which was
created by B.K.S Iyengar. It includes the use of props such as blocks, cushions
and straps and is therefore suitable for all body types and capabilities.
Bikram
Bikram Yoga, which is also known as “Hot Yoga”, is done
in a closed room that has been heated to a high temperature and humidity level.
This is a new form of Yoga dedicated to sweating out those toxins.
