History of Yoga

The history of yoga is indeed old. Nothing can be said firmly about the origin of yoga except that it originated in India. The available evidence shows the history of yoga is related to the Indus Valley Civilisation. At that time people used to do yoga Usually we depend on secondary sources to know about the history of yoga. Based on various sculptures and scriptures we conclude that yoga was a part of this civilization. Yoga is also mentioned in the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Upanishads. Patanjali also wrote about young in 147 BCE during this period yoga had developed significantly. Even Sants, Kabir, Tulsidas, and Surdas had mentioned about yoga in their writings. Yoga is a longer part of the Indian culture.

Meaning of Yoga

The term “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means “to yoke” or “to unite.” or to join. Yog is its noun form and means Union. It is concerned, with the union of the individual soul with the absolute or divine soul. It is a science of the development of an individual’s consciousness. yoga is the unification of atma and Parmatma. It also means the unification of physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual, aspects of human beings.

Importance of Yoga

Yoga holds significant importance across various dimensions of life, contributing to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Here are several key aspects highlighting its importance:

1 Physical Health

• Regular practice improves flexibility, strength, and balance, which can reduce the risk of injuries and enhance overall physical performance.
• Yoga helps in developing better posture by strengthening the core and aligning the spine which can alleviate back pain and other Muscular System issues
• Yoga poses and practice can aid digestion, and alleviate issues such as constipation and bloating.

2 Mental Health

• Yoga promotes relaxation and reduces stress through breathing exercises in pranayama.
• Yoga encourages self-awareness and emotional relaxation helps individuals manage their emotions and respond to challenges more effectively.
• The practice of mindfulness, and meditation in Yoga in hand focus and mental clarity, which can improve productivity and cognitive function.
• Enhances Moral and ethical values etc.