HISTORY OF YOGA AND MODERN YOGA

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.