Yoga is said to be as old as civilization, there is no physical evidence to support this claim. Earliest archaeological evidence of Yoga’s existence could be found in stone seals which depict figures of Yoga Poses. The stone seals place Yoga’s existence around 3000 B.C.

For better understand history of Yoga, we could divide it into four periods: the Vedic Period, Pre-Classical Period, Classical Period, and Post-Classical Period.

Vedic Period

The existence of the Vedas marks this period. The Vedas is a collection of hymns which praise a divine power. The Vedas contains the oldest known Yogic teachings and these are called Vedic Yoga.

The Vedic people relied on rishis(Prist) or dedicated Vedic Yogis living in seclusion (in forests) to teach them how to live in divine harmony. Rishis were also gifted with the ability to see the ultimate reality through their intensive spiritual practice.

Pre-Classical Yoga

 The creation of the Upanishads marks the Pre-Classical Yoga. The 200 scriptures of the Upanishads describe the inner vision of reality resulting from devotion to Brahman. These explain the ultimate reality (Brahman), the transcendental self (atman), and the relationship between the two. The Upanishads further explain the teachings of the Vedas.

Yoga shares history not only with Hinduism but also with Buddhism. During the sixth century B.C., Buddha started teaching Buddhism, which stresses the importance of Meditation and the practice of physical postures.

Later, around 500 B.C., the Bhagavad-Gita was created and this is currently the oldest known Yoga scripture. It is devoted entirely to Yoga. The central point to the Gita is that – to be alive means to be active and in order to avoid difficulties in our lives and in others, our actions have to benign and have to exceed our egos.

The Gita was a conversation between Prince Arjuna and God-man Krishna and it basically stresses the importance of opposing evil.  In the Gita, three facets must be brought together in our lifestyle: Bhakti or loving devotion, Jnana which is knowledge or contemplation, and Karma which is about selfless actions. The Gita then tried to unify Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga and it is because of this that it has gained importance.

Classical Period

The Classical Period is marked by another creation – the Yoga Sutra, written by Patanjali. It was an attempt to define and standardize Classical Yoga. It is composed of 195 aphorisms or sutras (thread) that expound upon the Raja Yoga and its underlying principle, Patanjali’s Eightfold path of Yoga (also called Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga). These are:

1. Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values;
2. Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study;
3. Asanas or physical exercises;
4. Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation;
5. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;
6. Dharana, which is about concentration;
7. Dhyana, which means Meditation; and
8. Samadhi, which means ecstasy.

This concept was dominant for some centuries. After that some Yogis focused on Meditation and neglected their Asanas. This time, Yogis attempted to use Yoga techniques to change the body and make it immortal.

Post-Classical Yoga

At this stage, we see a proliferation of literature as well as the practice of Yoga. Post-classical Yoga differs from the first three.

Yoga was introduced in the West during the early 19th century as part of Eastern Philosophy. In 1960’s, there was an influx of Indian yoga trainers like Maharishi Mahesh, Swami Sivananda who expounded on Yoga.

They modified Yoga into Five Principles which are:

1. Savasana or proper relaxation;
2. Asanas or proper exercise;
3. Pranayama or proper breathing;
4. Proper diet; and
5. Dhyana or positive thinking and Meditation

Up to this day, Yoga continues to proliferate and spread its teachings, crossing the boundaries of culture and language.