Ancient History of Yoga
The ancient tradition of Yoga has always been passed on individually from a “Guru” (teacher) to his “shishya” (student) through oral teaching and practical demonstration in Gurukul (ancient boarding schools). The formal techniques that are now known as Yoga are, therefore, based on the compilation of collective experiences of many individuals over many thousands of years. The particular manner in which the techniques are taught and practiced today depends on the approach passed down in the line of teachers teaching the individual practitioner.
Yoga is rooted in Hinduism though can be followed by anyone without compromising his/hers original religious beliefs. Yoga’s history has many places of obscurity and uncertainty due to its tradition of oral transmission of sacred texts and the secretive nature of its teachings. The earliest writings on yoga were transcribed on fragile palm leaves that were easily damaged, destroyed or lost. The development of yoga can be traced back to over 5,000 years ago. Yoga was compiled formally by Patanjali. Yoga’s long rich history can be divided into four main periods of innovation and development.
