History of Yoga Archives

The Teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda

August 31, 2020April 3, 2012

Yogananda relayed many of his spiritual experiences throughout his lifetime in his extraordinary accounting of the stages of his spiritual unfolding in the seven hundred page book, “Autobiography of a Yogi.” If you are on the Yogic path, this is one of the most highly recommended books about the practice of sadhana and the deepening experience of merging with God. If you do read “Autobiography of a Yogi,” the footnotes themselves contain almost as much esoteric wisdom as the text proper.

Meditations on Yoga in America – Part I

March 12, 2021June 9, 2011

The rich history of Yoga in America has been mined for material by a number of writers recently, and has produced several surprisingly…

Yoga in the Former Soviet Union

December 21, 2021June 5, 2011

In pre-Communist Russia, some credit a painter and aristocrat, named Nicolas Roerich, and his wife, with traveling to India to study Agni or Fire Yoga and bringing back the teachings around 1894. The man was nearly single-handedly responsible for Yoga in the Soviet Bloc; Vasily Brodov, was an intriguing figure. A Moscow native, born in 1912, he was a natural dissident who spent time in the gulags, and on the front lines, in World War II.

An Introduction to Yoga

March 12, 2021July 1, 2010

The yoga history was based in the civilization of Indus Valley; the techniques they used were practiced to initiate spiritual growth. The yogis encourages combination with the Atman (transitory self) the Brahman (eternal self).

Tradition of Yoga in the Indian Society

March 12, 2021June 27, 2010

Yoga has a deep hidden philosophy of life that harmonizes body, mind, and soul. The term was originated from a Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ that means ‘union’ or ‘joint’. As the name suggests so does the traditional spiritual activity reflects the true life’s philosophy.

Yoga History – A Brief Outline

May 16, 2021March 30, 2010

Yoga has always focused on “perfect alignment,” in which the spine returns to its natural positioning over time, as yoga is practiced. Because of yoga’s focus, relaxation must actually be achieved at the same time as the asanas are being performed, which can actually be a challenge to those who have only done traditional exercise. Nonetheless, this “relaxation and focus” is key to yoga’s benefits, and teach students concentration; as poses continue, focus can intensify to a meditative state.