History of Yoga

Yoga, from the word “yuj” (Sanskrit, “to yoke” or “to unite”), refers to spiritual practices that are essential to the
understanding and practice of Hinduism. Yoga and yogic practices date back more than 5,000 years — the Indus
Valley seals depict a number of figures in postures identical to various asanas. The term covers a wide array of
practices, embodied in eight “limbs,” which range from ethical and moral guidelines to meditation on the Ultimate
Reality. Yoga is a combination of both physical and spiritual exercises, entails mastery over the body, mind and
emotional self, and transcendence of desire. The ultimate goal is moksha, the attainment of liberation from worldly
suffering and the cycle of birth and rebirth.

With the popularity of Yoga skyrocketing throughout the world, particularly in the West, there arise two main points
in need of clarification. First, that which is practiced as “Hatha Yoga” - a form of Raja Yoga - in much of the Western
world is but merely a focus on a single limb of Yoga: asana (posture). From Yoga studios that recommend room
temperatures to be maintained at 105 degrees to 90 minute Vinyasa flow classes that prescribe one Suryanamaskar
(Sun Salutation) sequence after another, this “asana heavy” form of Yoga – sometimes complemented with
pranayama (breathing) – is only a form of exercise to control, tone and stretch muscles. Ignored are both the moral
basis of the practice and the ultimate spiritual goal.

Second, there is the concerning trend of disassociating Yoga from its Hindu roots. Both Yoga magazines and studios
assiduously present Yoga as an ancient practice independent and disembodied from the Hinduism that gave forth
this immense contribution to humanity. With the intense focus on asana, magazines and studios have seemingly
"gotten away" with this mischaracterization. Yet, even when Yoga is practiced solely in the form of an exercise, it
cannot be completely delinked from its Hindu roots. As the legendary Yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar aptly points out in his
famous Light on Yoga, "Some asanas are also called after Gods of the Hindu pantheon and some recall the Avataras,
or incarnations of Divine Power." It is disappointing to know that many of the yogis regularly practicing
Hanumanasana or Natarajasana continue to deny the Hindu roots of their Yoga practice.

In a time where Hindus around the globe face discrimination and hate because of their religious identity, and Hindu
belief and practice continue to be widely misunderstood due to exoticized portrayals of it being caricaturized in
“caste, cows and curry” fashion, recognition of Yoga as a tremendous contribution of ancient Hindus to the world is
imperative. Yoga is inextricable from Hindu traditions, and a better awareness of this fact is reached only if one
understands that “Yoga” and “Asana” are not interchangeable terms.
 YoLo Yoga
• Yoga for fitness increases in popularity as
more people than ever enjoy yoga. Most
health clubs and gyms offer some type of yoga
class because it's generally accepted as a way
to improve flexibility and to reduce stress.
• There are many types of yoga classes to
choose from, however, and you should choose
one that meets your fitness goals.
 Cardiorespiratory Benefits
• Power yoga, Ashtanga and flow styles of yoga follow
a format that encourages you to work hard enough
to raise your heart to meet cardiovascular
improvement standards.
• These styles move from one pose to the next quick
quickly, keeping you moving like you would do in any
fitness class.
• Because yoga classes are typically 60 to 90 minutes
long just 2-3 classes a week will meet the physical
activity guidelines for improving your fitness set by
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
 Muscular Benefits
• Yoga classes are structured so that you use your own
body weight as resistance. Just like you would do in a
bootcamp class, yoga poses offer variations of push
ups, squats and lunges in order to strengthen the
body.
• Any style of yoga you choose will help tone and
sculpt your muscles.
• If you are just starting out, classes that go by the
name of Hatha may be a good choice. But if you are
already somewhat fit and wanting to add yoga to
your program, power classes will challenge you to
build more strength.
 Body Composition
• Yoga, like any exercise, will help you burn calories
and improve your body composition.
• Vinyasa classes with plenty of movement offer the
greatest potential for burning calories.
• The greater benefit of yoga is that is also helps you
clear your mind and become more aware of the
choices you make off the yoga mat.
• In the Yoga Journal article, "Losing It", it states
increased body awareness can change your eating
habits by helping you explore emotional issues once
buried by eating. Being more aware of your choices
outside of the yoga class is where the real change
will happen.