Introduction to Yoga: Meaning, History, Streams and General Guidelines
Meaning and etymology
Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which carries two shades of meaning: yujir yoge (to join or unite) and yujir samadhau (deep absorption or contemplation). So yoga is both union and the state of total absorption. Patanjali's definition, yogah chittavritti nirodhah (YS 1.2), settles the debate: yoga is the stilling of the modifications of the mind, not merely physical exercise.
History in five phases
- Pre-Vedic/Indus Valley – seals from Mohenjodaro showing a seated, cross-legged figure (often called Pashupati).
- Vedic and Upanishadic – tapas, mantra and the inner quest of the Katha and Shvetashvatara Upanishads.
- Classical – Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (roughly 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE) systematise Raja Yoga.
- Post-classical/Hatha – Hatha Yoga Pradipika of Svatmarama (15th century), Gheranda Samhita and Shiva Samhita.
- Modern – Swami Vivekananda's 1893 Chicago address; later lineages of Sivananda, Iyengar and Desikachar; the UN declared 21 June as the International Day of Yoga, first observed in 2015.
Streams
Four classical paths: Karma (selfless action), Bhakti (devotion), Jnana (knowledge and discrimination) and Raja (meditation, the eight-limbed path). Hatha, Mantra, Laya and Kundalini are also described as streams; Hatha is best understood as practical preparation for Raja.
General guidelines
Practise on an empty stomach (a 3-4 hour gap after a meal), in a clean, well-ventilated space, on a mat, with loose clothing. Never force or compete; stop if there is pain, dizziness or breathlessness. Avoid inversions during menstruation and in uncontrolled hypertension, and modify for pregnancy. Rest in Savasana if fatigued, and bathe only after 15-30 minutes.
Traps and a rule of thumb
Questions love to offer yoga means only asana or yoga is a religion as options, both wrong. Candidates also confuse the Hatha Pradipika's author (Svatmarama) with Patanjali. Rule of thumb: if a stem names a text, ask who wrote it and which stream does it serve? - Sutras = Patanjali/Raja, Pradipika = Svatmarama/Hatha.