The practice, tradition and styles.
Yoga is considered an ancient tradition of physical and mental disciplines which originated in India and continues to be practiced today in many different forms. The Sanskrit word Yoga is derived from roots which mean “to yoke”, “to control”, or even “to unite;” often interpreted as “the union of the individual self with the supreme self.” While this may be an interpretation and even considered a goal of the practice it has been argued over the course of Yoga’s history whether this “union” can truly ever be achieved or even if a duality of individual and supreme exists. However, perhaps we could agree that the practice (even the many forms that continue today) is an attempt to join and unite body, mind and spirit. Whether we can ever achieve this union is beside the point, it’s the effort that counts!
Some historians believe the tradition of Yoga can be traced back to around 3000BC. With such a long history there is no surprise that the yoga we see today comes in many different forms and practices. Here is a look into some of the ancient, traditional and modern forms of Yoga:
1. Jnana: the meaning of Jnana is “knowledge” and thus it makes sense that this meditative yoga is the quest for real knowledge. A meditation that reflects inward believing that all knowledge lies within us waiting to be discovered. The Yoga Sutra tells us that by freeing the mind of false understanding we can find knowledge or “jnana.” True understanding and knowledge is only achieved when one can reach a meditative state in which nothing else is present but the object of meditation.
2. Bhakti: The root of the word Bhakti is “bahj” which is understood as “to serve.” Bhakti meditation is about serving a higher power, a divine being- truth. This is what helps and guides the individual in everything they do.
3. Mantra: Traditionally a mantra is given to a student by a teacher only after the teacher has evaluated what the student needs; it can be a single syllable or a string of syllables. A mantra is repeatedly chanted in meditation and linked to a special image. Over time if the meaning of this mantra is understood and believed Mantra yoga can have the same effect as Jnana yoga or Bhakti yoga.
4. Raja: Translated, Raja means “king.” The idea of Raja Yoga is similar to that of Bhakti yoga where the individual is finding the “king” within or the divine being within. Raja Yoga is about finding clarity and peace to allow the inner king to be revealed.
5. Karma: Karma yoga is about action and exploring the principles of cause and effect where actions are never determined by expectations and expectations do not correspond to actions. Karma Yoga then becomes more about the experience rather than expectations and outcomes.
6. Kriya: The Yoga Sutras explain Kriya Yoga containing all practices known as Yoga. It includes practices which help to remove blockages and tensions (asana and pranayama), inward exploration and action which is not motivated by outcome. By linking these three principles together in a practice an individual may be considered to follow the path of Kriya Yoga.
7. Kundalini and Tantra: Kundalini embraces the idea that there are certain points in the body in which energy can enter and leave; however, the goal is to remove any blockages from these points to allow energy to enter, flow and release freely. Kundalini could be taken to mean an incorrect knowledge or misunderstanding and the practice of the Kundalini form of yoga is focused on removing and ridding ourselves of this misunderstanding and blockage allowing prana to flow revealing our source of consciousness (purusa). The practice of Tantra Yoga can be considered to be one based on Kundalini. The Tantra practice embraces the aspiration of harmony within by harmonizing both the yin and yang (male and female) aspects that exist within each of us in an effort to spiritually awaken. Tantra translates as “technique” and indeed this form of Yoga can be considered ability. The ability to open energies that are normally blocked within thus linking us to other aspects of the world and cosmos.
8. Hatha: Hatha Yoga, like Kundalini and Tantra, focuses on the idea of removing blockages to allow a free flow of energy through the body. The word Hatha can be split into two roots: “Ha” and “Tha.” “Ha” represents a cool energy associated with the moon while “tha” represents a hot energy associated with the sun. The goal is to let energy (prana) flow freely through six cakra points centrally located in the body from the base of the spine to between the brows. Once prana is able to rise to our highest cakra, the cakra of knowledge between our brows the “king within” is able to emerge, also making this form similar to that of Raja Yoga.
9. Ashtanga: developed by a student of Sri Krishnamacharya named Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Krishnamacharya was the teacher of many students who went on to take only a portion of his great wealth of knowledge and develop into a form of yoga. After much dedicated study of the Yoga Sutras Jois went on to develop Ashtanga yoga calling it a “Patanjali Yoga” developed using the “Eight Limbs of Yoga” as described below:
1. Yama (The five “abstentions”): non-violence, non-lying, non-covetousness, non-sensuality, and non-possessiveness.
2. Niyama (The five “observances”): purity, contentment, austerity, study, and surrender to god.
3. Asana: Literally means “seat”, and in Patanjali’s Sutras refers to the seated position used for meditation.
4. Pranayama (“Suspending Breath”): Prāna, breath, “āyāma”, to restrain or stop. Also interpreted as control of the life force.
5. Pratyahara (“Abstraction”): Withdrawal of the sense organs from external objects.
6. Dharana (“Concentration”): Fixing the attention on a single object.
7. Dhyana (“Meditation”): Intense contemplation of the nature of the object of meditation.
8. Samādhi (“Liberation”): merging consciousness with the object of meditation.
The Ashtanga practice is a joining of both movement in postures (asana) and philosophy. This practice follows a series of postures in a vinyasa (synchronizing movement with breath) to produce an internal heat and cleansing practice. Once mastering the primary series Ashtanga students can move on to 5 other more advanced series. The Ashtanga practice is vigorous and challenging.
10. Power Yoga: This style of Yoga is most recognized as a modern American adaptation of Ashtanga. At the forefront of this style is renowned instructor Baron Baptiste who has developed a physically and spiritually challenging vinyasa practice that is both rigorous and rewarding.
11. Vinyasa: Vinyasa, the practice of joining breath with movement through postures. It can be considered a more open and free flowing version of Ashtanga. A class could be an intense heat building flow or a calm practice of meditation. World famous instructor Shiva Rea has been a significant instructor and leader in the Vinyasa style.
12. Anusara: the Sanskrit meaning of Anusara is “flowing with Grace.” This style of yoga can be best described as a Hatha yoga with a strong Tantric influence. There is a heavy focus on alignment and awareness of energy flow in the body to allow your divine self to be realized. Anusara is a spiritual practice to “align with the divine.”
13. Bikram: Bikram yoga is a 26 posture series developed from Hatha Yoga. The founder of Bikram Yoga is Bikram Choudhury. The practice is held in 105 degree heat and the series is practiced twice through to purify the body of toxins through sweat. Breath control (pranayama) is also part It is also known as Hot Yoga.
14. Iyengar: A practice of attention to anatomical alignment where poses are held for extensive periods of time and does not shy away from the use of props to help achieve proper alignment and benefits of posture. This practiced was founded by Sri B.K.S. Iyengar who studied under Sri Krishnamacharya.
15. Jivamukti: This practice was developed based on the principals of Bhakti Yoga and non-violence (ahimsa) combining vinyasa and spiritual philosophy.
Patanjali and his Yoga Sutras of 150BCE.
Patanjali is an absolute crucial figure in the history of yoga. He was a sage who questioned the duality of the individual and supreme self and wrote extensively on the philosophy of Yoga in his Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutra “….emphasizes all aspects of human life, including our relationships with others, our behavior, ourhealth, our breathing and our meditation path.” (Desikachar, 7) Defining yoga as “…the ability to direct the mind without distraction or interruption.” (Desikachar, 9) Today Patanjali is considered the founder of the formal philosophy of Yoga, founding the form of Raja Yoga a practice for finding control of the mind. Patanjali’s work also outlines the “eight-limbed Yoga” which Ashtanga Yoga is based on.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra was further explained by Rishi Vyasa who provided commentary on the Yoga Sutra to ensure no sutra could be misunderstood. It is both the work itself as well as the commentary provided by Vyasa which has influenced yoga today. (Maehle, 141)
Among a few other texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Rahasya and Yoga Pradipika, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is considered one of the most important texts in the study and practice of Yoga.
Sources used for this brief history include:
- Ashtanga Yoa: Practice & Philosophy by Gregor Maehle
- The Heart of Yoga: Developing a personal practice by T.K.V. Desikachar
- Yoga Workouts
- www.wikipedia.com
- http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp
- www.ashtanga.com
- www.anusara.com
- www.bikramyoga.com
- Yoga Journal; www.yogajournal.com