This Is The Powerful World Of Yoga And Its Origin

Yoga’s Sacred Origins: A Timeless Indian Legacy Beyond the Mat

Yoga has evolved into a global phenomenon. In studios from Sydney to San Francisco, on mobile apps and Instagram reels, millions stretch into poses believed to promote wellness and mental clarity. But behind the trending hashtags and commercial mats lies an ancient, sacred tradition born in the spiritual heart of India. Far removed from celebrity-endorsed workouts, yoga — derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to unite — was never merely a physical regimen. It was, and remains, a profound path to self-realisation.

This article retraces yoga’s true origin, its philosophical underpinnings, and its cultural evolution — while also highlighting how modern enthusiasts can return to its authentic spirit.

Yoga: The Union of Inner and Outer Realms

The word ‘yoga’ is rooted in India’s Vedic language and literature. From yuj (to join or yoke), the earliest concept of yoga meant integration — of the body, breath, mind, and ultimately, the soul with the universal spirit. Yoga, therefore, was not designed to tone muscles, but to still the fluctuations of the mind and dissolve the illusion of separateness between self and cosmos.

This spiritual essence remains central to classical yoga philosophy. Unlike modern interpretations that focus largely on postures (asana), traditional yoga encompasses ethical living, disciplined breathwork (pranayama), mental concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and liberation (samadhi).

The Vedic Foundations: Origins in the Rig Veda

The Rig Veda — the world’s oldest surviving sacred text, composed around 1500 BCE — contains the earliest glimmers of yogic consciousness. Although it does not describe yoga as a structured system, it presents concepts foundational to yogic thought: tapas (inner heat), dhyana (meditation), and a yearning for the eternal.

Rishis, or seers, composed hymns during deep meditative states. Their spiritual practices — focused on sacrifice, austerity, and inward reflection — laid the groundwork for later yogic frameworks. These early philosophies revolved around the cyclical nature of existence and liberation from it — a core theme that yoga would refine over millennia.

The Upanishads: Turning Inward

Between 800 and 400 BCE, the Upanishads ushered in a more introspective spiritual age. These texts shifted the focus from external rituals to internal realisation. For the first time, yoga was not just a philosophical curiosity but a defined spiritual path.

Texts like the Katha Upanishad describe yoga as “the firm restraint of the senses”, echoing what modern psychology might call mindfulness. The Shvetashvatara Upanishad goes further — mentioning breath control, postures, and meditative absorption. This marks a crucial transition: from mere spiritual ideals to actual yogic techniques.

It is here that yoga begins to crystallise as a disciplined system aimed at transcending sensory limitations and achieving unity with Brahman (the ultimate reality).

The Bhagavad Gita: Yoga in Daily Life

Around 200 BCE, the Bhagavad Gita, nested within the Mahabharata, further clarified yoga’s multiple pathways. Here, Lord Krishna imparts the teachings of yoga to warrior-prince Arjuna, not in a cave or ashram, but on a battlefield.

This setting is deeply symbolic. It emphasises that yoga is not confined to retreats or mountaintops — it can (and should) be lived in the world, amidst duty, conflict, and moral choices. The Gita lays out several types of yoga:

• Karma Yoga – Selfless action without attachment to results.
• Bhakti Yoga – Devotion and surrender to the divine.
• Jnana Yoga – The pursuit of knowledge and discernment.

Each offers a unique route to liberation, tailored to different temperaments. This practical application made yoga accessible to all — householders and ascetics alike.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Systematising the Path

While earlier scriptures offered philosophical musings and spiritual metaphors, it was the sage Patanjali who gave yoga its codified form around 200 BCE in his Yoga Sutras. This concise treatise (196 aphorisms) is still considered the cornerstone of classical yoga.

Patanjali outlined the Ashtanga Yoga or the Eightfold Path:

1. Yama – Ethical disciplines (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possessiveness).
2. Niyama – Personal observances (cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, study, surrender).
3. Asana – Physical posture (to sit comfortably for meditation).
4. Pranayama – Breath control.
5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of senses.
6. Dharana – Focused concentration.
7. Dhyana – Meditation.
8. Samadhi – Enlightened absorption or liberation.

It is telling that asana is only the third step — a mere tool to enable deeper inner work. In contrast to the physical gymnastics often associated with modern yoga, Patanjali’s emphasis was squarely on calming the mind to realise the purusha, or true self.

Hatha Yoga: Physicality Meets Spirituality

By the 9th to 15th centuries, a new stream of yoga began to flourish: Hatha Yoga. Derived from Tantric traditions, it embraced the body not as an obstacle but as a vessel for transformation. Through postures, breathwork, and purification rituals, practitioners sought to awaken dormant energy (Kundalini) and cleanse subtle energy channels (nadis).

Foundational texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita offered detailed instructions on asanas, mudras (gestures), bandhas (locks), and shatkarmas (cleansing techniques). These were spiritual technologies — far from the performative yoga of today’s social media — aimed at inner alchemy.

Yoga’s Decline and Colonial Suppression

India’s colonial period was marked by the suppression of indigenous knowledge systems. As British rule discouraged native spiritual practices, yoga too retreated into secrecy, surviving in ashrams and oral traditions.

Nevertheless, some yogis kept the tradition alive. They adapted to changing times, blending modern education with ancient teachings. Their efforts would lay the foundation for yoga’s global revival in the 20th century.

The Global Revival: Yoga Goes West

The early 1900s witnessed Indian spiritual leaders reintroducing yoga to the world. Swami Vivekananda’s speeches in Chicago (1893) sparked Western curiosity. He promoted Raja Yoga, focusing on mind control and meditation.

Later came Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, widely regarded as the father of modern yoga. He trained notable students like:

• B.K.S. Iyengar – Known for alignment and props.
• Pattabhi Jois – Founder of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
• T.K.V. Desikachar – Proponent of yoga therapy.

These pioneers helped shape modern styles while staying rooted in tradition. By the 1970s, yoga had entered mainstream Western culture, often severed from its spiritual roots.

Modern Yoga: Between Popularity and Purity

Today, yoga is a global industry estimated at over $100 billion, with more than 300 million practitioners worldwide. It is prescribed by doctors, taught in prisons, and used in therapy. Yet this popularity comes at a cost.

Critics argue that yoga has been reduced to “stretching with Sanskrit”, stripped of its ethical, meditative, and spiritual layers. Terms like ‘spiritual bypassing’ and ‘cultural appropriation’ raise complex questions about authenticity and respect for yoga’s Indian origins.

Efforts like the International Day of Yoga (21st June, annually), proposed by India in 2014, aim to restore awareness of yoga’s true purpose. It encourages people globally to honour yoga not just as a fitness routine, but as a sacred Indian heritage.

Starting Yoga the Right Way: A Beginner’s Guide

For those just beginning, here are practical steps to honour the deeper essence of yoga:

1. Choose the right mat: Look for one that supports grip and alignment, especially for beginners. A clean, personal mat promotes hygiene and intention.
2. Wear comfortable, breathable clothing: Flexibility in fabric helps flexibility in body.
3. Consistency matters more than complexity: Start with 15–30 minutes a day. Build slowly.
4. Embrace the Eight Limbs: Learn about Yamas and Niyamas — yoga begins before the mat.
5. Include meditation and breathing: Spend at least 5 minutes in quiet reflection and mindful breathing daily.
6. Respect the tradition: Understand the philosophical roots. Avoid turning yoga into performance.
7. Seek qualified teachers: Ideally those trained in traditional schools or lineage-based institutions.

Yoga for the Indian Diaspora: Reclaiming a Sacred Inheritance

For the Indian diaspora worldwide, yoga can be a bridge — connecting modern lives with ancestral wisdom. In countries where yoga is often commercialised, diaspora communities can play a crucial role in preserving its spiritual integrity.

By practising yoga mindfully, sharing its history in community spaces, and supporting authentic teachers, the diaspora can ensure that yoga is not just exported, but understood.

Yoga as a Way of Being

Yoga is not a product. It is not about body sculpting or social validation. It is a lifelong journey — inward, upward, and beyond. Whether you are in Delhi, Durban, Dubai, or Dallas, the call of yoga is the same: to still the noise, awaken awareness, and return to your source.

As the ancient Indian sages taught, the real posture is the posture of the heart — humble, open, and seeking.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical, psychological, or spiritual advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with certified yoga instructors or health professionals before beginning any new wellness practice.

Published under the WFY Bureau Desk – The WFY, June 2025 Edition.