One of the oldest Indian forms of exercise, Yoga is an amalgamation of mental, physical and spiritual disciplines. This effective form of exercise has a vibrant history. Indeed, it is believed to have been developed around the sixth and fifth centuries BCE. It implies that Yoga has been practised since 5,000 years ago. Not just that, Yoga is likewise accepted to be found in the oldest scripture of Rig Veda.
This oldest health healing exercise has a deeply rooted history that has been divided into four periods.
Pre-Classical Yoga: This Yoga is believed to have been developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in Northern India.
Classical Yoga: The form of Yoga often defined by the first systematic knowledge of Yoga is called Patanjali's Yoga-Sutras.
Post-Classical Yoga: The type of Yoga solidly instructs how to live an abundant life (live in the moment) instead of focusing on liberation etc.
Modern Yoga: One of the oldest yoga forms believed to be developed during the late 1800s.
Along with the rich history, several primitive forms of Yoga are also available. To know more on the same, explore the below points.
Karma Yoga: One of the oldest forms of Yoga, which focuses on the path to spiritual liberation, Karma yoga is also known as the Karma Marga. This Yoga helps you take the unselfish path and transform you and your action to liberate by gaining spirituality. Concerning its rooted history, Karma yoga is one of the several spiritual paths in Hinduism, and it is believed to be found in the famous Hindu sacred scripture of Bhagavad Gita.
Jnana Yoga: Known as the Jnanamarga, Jnana Yoga is also a spiritual path like Karma yoga. This powerful yet oldest form of Yoga emphasizes the path of knowledge as well as self-realization. On the other hand, Jnana Yoga has four powerful pillars; Viveka - reflects the real and unreal, Vairagya - cultivates non-attachment toward artificial things. The third pillar, Shatsampat - stabilize the mind and emotions and Mumukshutva - helps accomplish freedom from agony.
Bhakta Yoga: Known as the Bhaktimarga, Bhakti yoga is a spiritual form of Yoga practised within Hinduism. This famous spiritual path for salvation, Bhakta Yoga, is believed to be taught in Bhagavad Gita.
This Yoga entirely focuses on loving devotions towards Hindu Gods includes Krishna, Radha, Ganesha, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and much more. Thus, it is often known as the path of devotion. The practice of this Yoga involves meditation, chanting mantras and much more.
Mantra Yoga: Mantra Yoga is one of the oldest and ancient forms of Yoga. This form of Yoga, by and large, uses mantras with an end goal to help move the practitioner into the deep state of consciousness. It also helps the practitioner withdraw all the problems or unhappiness in life, leading to transformation. Remember, we have always believed that chanting of mantras produces positive vibrations in mind; it also brings delight, happiness and much more.
Raja Yoga: This powerful form of Yoga controls the mind and emotions as it firmly focuses on the path of self-discipline. Raja Yoga, also known as the Ashtanga yoga, has eight limbs of Yoga - Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi provides guidance to help attain inner peace, self-control, self-realization and much more.
Online Yoga Classes-
All these Yoga mentioned above are extremely important and the most ancient forms. People who want to try out these require proper training and thus join yoga classes. However, if someone is not feeling like going out, they can join online yoga classes. Yoga for health is necessary, and for that, we all need to be trained under a proper professional yoga trainer.