"Yoga ( ; Sanskrit: योग, lit. 'yoke' or 'union' pronounced [joːɡɐ]) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India..."
A set of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that aim to connect the soul with the divine.
History of Yoga: A brief history of the development of yoga from its origins in ancient India to modern Western practice.
Philosophy of Yoga: The underlying philosophical principles and concepts of the yoga practice, including the eight limbs of Yoga.
Asanas: Physical postures or poses practiced in yoga, designed to stretch and strengthen the body.
Pranayama: The regulation and control of breath, which is seen as a vital life force in Yoga practice.
Meditation: Techniques used to quiet the mind and focus attention, often used in conjunction with yoga practice.
Chakras: The seven energy centers in the body which are believed to be interconnected and linked to physical and emotional processes.
Mantras: Chants and sounds that are used to focus the mind and bring about an altered state of consciousness during meditation.
Yamas and Niyamas: The ethical principles and guidelines for living a yogic lifestyle, including non-violence, truthfulness, and contentment.
Ayurveda: The traditional Indian system of medicine which is often practiced alongside yoga to enhance physical and mental wellbeing.
Tantra: A branch of yoga that focuses on sexuality and the union of opposites, often practiced by couples or individuals seeking to increase intimacy in relationships.
Bhakti Yoga: The yoga of devotion, which involves worship of deities and surrender to a higher power.
Karma Yoga: The yoga of action, which involves selfless service and the dedication of one's actions to a higher purpose.
Hatha Yoga: The practice of physical postures and breathing techniques to improve physical, mental and spiritual wellness.
Raja Yoga: A meditative practice that focuses on controlling the mind and emotions in order to achieve a higher state of consciousness.
Karma Yoga: The practice of selfless service or action, with the goal of achieving spiritual purity and detachment from the ego.
Jnana Yoga: The study and contemplation of philosophical texts, with the goal of achieving self-realization and understanding the true nature of the self.
Bhakti Yoga: The practice of devotion and worship to a particular deity or divine entity, with the goal of achieving union with that entity.
Tantra Yoga: A practice that involves using physical and mental techniques, including meditation, visualization, and ritual, to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Kundalini Yoga: A practice that focuses on awakening and channeling energy, known as Kundalini, that is believed to flow through the chakras in the body.
Mantra Yoga: The use of sound and vibration to achieve spiritual healing and enlightenment, often through the repetition of sacred syllables or words.
Laya Yoga: A practice that involves using breath control and visualization techniques to achieve a state of deep relaxation and meditation.
Nada Yoga: A practice that involves using music and sound to achieve spiritual enlightenment, often through the use of chanting or singing.
Kriya Yoga: A practice that involves a combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques to achieve spiritual liberation.
"...aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consciousness untouched by the mind (Chitta) and mundane suffering (Duḥkha)."
"Yoga-like practices were first mentioned in the ancient Hindu text known as Rigveda. Yoga is referred to in a number of the Upanishads."
"The first known appearance of the word 'yoga' with the same meaning as the modern term is in the Katha Upanishad, which was probably composed between the fifth and third centuries BCE."
"Yoga continued to develop as a systematic study and practice during the fifth and sixth centuries BCE in ancient India's ascetic and Śramaṇa movements."
"The most comprehensive text on Yoga, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, date to the early centuries of the Common Era; Yoga philosophy became known as one of the six orthodox philosophical schools (Darśanas) of Hinduism in the second half of the first millennium CE."
"Hatha yoga texts began to emerge between the ninth and 11th centuries, originating in tantra."
"Two general theories exist on the origins of yoga. The linear model holds that yoga originated in the Vedic period, as reflected in the Vedic textual corpus, and influenced Buddhism. According to the synthesis model, yoga is a synthesis of non-Vedic and Vedic elements."
"The term 'yoga' in the Western world often denotes a modern form of Hatha yoga and a posture-based physical fitness, stress-relief and relaxation technique, consisting largely of asanas; this differs from traditional yoga, which focuses on meditation and release from worldly attachments."
"It was introduced by gurus from India after the success of Swami Vivekananda's adaptation of yoga without asanas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."
"Vivekananda introduced the Yoga Sutras to the West, and they became prominent after the 20th-century success of hatha yoga."
"Yoga ( ; Sanskrit: योग, lit. 'yoke' or 'union' pronounced [joːɡɐ])"
"Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines."
"...aim to control (yoke) and still the mind, recognizing a detached witness-consciousness untouched by the mind (Chitta) and mundane suffering (Duḥkha)."
"There is a wide variety of schools of yoga, practices, and goals in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism..."
"Yoga-like practices were first mentioned in the ancient Hindu text known as Rigveda."
"Yoga continued to develop as a systematic study and practice during the fifth and sixth centuries BCE in ancient India's ascetic and Śramaṇa movements."
"The most comprehensive text on Yoga, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, date to the early centuries of the Common Era."
"The term 'yoga' in the Western world often denotes a modern form of Hatha yoga and a posture-based physical fitness, stress-relief and relaxation technique, consisting largely of asanas."
"It was introduced by gurus from India after the success of Swami Vivekananda's adaptation of yoga without asanas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."