history of yoga(योग का इतिहास

Yoga   

 The tradition is very ancient and originated thousands of years ago. It is believed that yoga is being practiced ever since civilization began. That means Yoga was born long before the oldest religions or beliefs were born. In Yoga Vidya, Shiva is considered as “Adi Yogi” and “Adi Guru”.

 After Lord Shankar, Yoga is considered to have started from the Vedic sages. Later Krishna, Mahavir and Buddha expanded it in their own way. After this Patanjali gave it a systematic form. This form was further expanded by Siddhapanth, Shaivapanth, Nathpanth, Vaishnav and Shakta panthis in their own ways.

The earliest historical evidence related to yoga is the artifacts from the Indus Valley Civilization whose physical postures and asanas are direct evidence of the existence of yoga in that period. If we look at the history of yoga, there is no evidence of its beginning or end, but the description of yoga is first found in the Vedas and the Vedas are considered to be the oldest literature. Yoga started in India, nowadays yoga is being practiced in many states of India, the foremost of which is the state of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand is also known as the city of yoga.

Early Vedic period (before 3000 BC)

 Until recently, Western scholars believed that yoga originated around 500 BC, when Buddhism emerged. But from the yoga postures found in the excavations done in Harappa and Mohenjodaro, it is known that yoga was already in practice 5000 years ago.

Prehistoric Period (500 BC to 200 BC)

There has been a lot of discussion about Yoga in the Upanishads, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita mentions Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga. In the Geetapadesh, Lord Shri Krishna himself explains the importance of Yoga to Arjun and describes Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga and Gyanyoga. In the first verse of the fourth chapter of Gita, Krishna says to Arjun.            

Iam vivaswate yogam proktavanhamvyayam. 4.1

That is, O Arjun, I told this imperishable yoga to Surya, Surya told it to his son Vaivaswat Manu and Manu told it to his son King Ikshvaku.

During this period, yoga became a lifestyle rather than just a practice related to breathing and posture. There is ample evidence of this in the Upanishads. Its symptoms have been described in Kathopanishad-

 Then yogamittimanyante sthihomindriya dharanam

 During the period of Jain and Buddhist awakening and upliftment, emphasis started being laid on the parts of Yama and Niyama. Yama and Niyama, i.e. non-violence, truth, celibacy, astheya, aparigraha, defecation, contentment, penance and self-study 

remained prevalent. Even here Yoga was not given a systematic form. 563 to 200 BC Three parts of Yoga – penance, self-study and devotion to God – were prevalent. This is called 'Kriyayoga.' Is. Yogasana has also been talked about in Chandogya Upanishad by Gargi.

 Classical period (200 BC to 500 AD)

 During this period, Yoga emerged in a clear and holistic form. Patanjali introduced the Yoga Vidya scattered in the Vedas in 200 BC. Presented in its entirety for the first time. He compiled 195 sutras of Saar Rupa Yoga (see Yoga Sutras). The yoga of Patanjali Sutra is Rajyoga. It has eight limbs: Yama (social conduct), Niyama (personal conduct), Asana (physical posture), Pranayama (breath regulation), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi. Although physical postures and breathing have also been given place in Patanjali Yoga, more importance has been given to meditation and samadhi. There is no name of any asana or pranayama in Yoga Sutra.

 Middle Ages (500 AD to 1500 AD). During this period, the followers of Patanjali Yoga gave a new perspective or a new twist to Yoga by giving maximum importance to asanas, purification of body and mind, doing kriyas and pranayama. This form of yoga is called Hatha Yoga. Small methods of yoga started in this era.

Modern period 

 Swami Vivekananda introduced Yoga to the whole world by mentioning Yoga in his historic speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Many yogis like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda, Ramana Maharshi influenced the western world and gradually yoga became accepted around the world as a secular, process-based religious doctrine.

In recent times, three disciples of T. Krishnamacharya, B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and T.V.K. Deshikachara, have popularized yoga globally. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11 December 2014 had proposed in the General Assembly of the United Nations to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21, which was accepted by 175 out of 193 countries without any voting. Recognizing the importance of Yoga, the UN acknowledged that 'Yoga is a complete approach towards human health and well-being.'