The art and science of yoga is dedicated to creating a union between body, mind and spirit. Its objective is to assist the practitioner in using the breath and body to foster an awareness of ourselves as individualized beings intimately connected to the unified whole of creation. In short it is about creating balance and equanimity so as to live in peace, good health and harmony with the greater whole. This art of right living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago and the foundations of yoga philosophy were written down in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, approximately 200 AD. This sacred text describes the inner workings of the mind and provides a blueprint for controlling its restlessness so as to enjoying lasting peace.

Yoga Philosophy

The word YOGA comes from the Sanskrit root YUJA, which means “to link up” or “to unite.” In the Indian Sanskrit books Yoga is defines as the process of linking one self with the Supreme Lord or to unite with him.

The first two limbs of the philosophical yogic tree described in Patanjali are the fundamental ethical precepts, called the Yamas and the Niyamas. These can also be looked at as guidelines of universal morality and personal observances. The Yamas and the Niyamas are suggestions of how we should deal with people around us and how we can optimally shape our attitude and behavior. The attitude we have toward people and things outside ourselves are the Yamas; how we relate to ourselves inwardly are the Niyamas. Both are mostly concerned with how we use our energy in relationship to others and to ourselves.

Modern History Of Yoga

Yoga, together with other aspects of Hindu Philosophy, became more widely acknowledged by  a western audience in the mid 19th Century.  Swami Vivekananda was the first Hindu teacher to bring awareness to the practice when he toured Europe and the U.S. in the 1980’s.

From a Western perspective, Yoga is generally associated with Hatha yoga and its asanas (postures).  Kundalini yoga, - considered an advanced form of meditation and yoga,- arrived in the U.S. via the yogi Bhajan in 1969.

In the 1980’s yoga underwent a revitalization when it was deemed to quite simply be a wonderfully healthful form of exercise - and disconnected from religious connotations.  Many asanas show  striking similarities to 19th and 20th century exercises. 

Since 2001, yoga has become increasingly popular worldwide.  In the united States, the number of practitioners has grown from 4 million to 20 million.