Yoga: Foundation history and development.

The origin of Yoga can be  traced in the Vedas and Upanishads where we can find descriptions about yoga. There are number of texts which are exclusively devoted to yoga. It is difficult to ascertain a fixed time period for the origin of these ancient texts, since historians differ on the dates when these texts were written. The teachings may date back even to an earlier time and their compilation into books would have taken place later.

 Yoga is an ancient tradition and having its origin in India. The practice of yoga is believed to have started at the very dawn of civilization. Many considered lord Shiva to be the first yogi or Adiyogi or Adi Guru.

From the  discovery of the largest civilization known as Indus Valley Civilization,  knowledge about the origin of yoga was traced. Archaeological findings such as the yogi-like figures engraved on stones indicates the existence of yoga culture during this period. A number of seals and fossil remains of Indus Saraswati Valley Civilization with yogic motifs and figures performing yog sadhana authenticate the existence of yoga in ancient India. The idols found in the excavation of the harappan civilization reveal the trace of yoga culture in the then society. The idol of pashupati in yogic posture is one of such specimens.

Yoga’s long rich history can be divided into following main periods of innovation, practice and development.

• 1.Shruti Kaal  :1500 BC -300 BC
• 2. Sutra kaal (Darshan Kaal)-: 300 BC – 400 AD
• 3.Tika kaal-  400 AD- 1000 AD
• 4.Utkarsh Kaal( Time of Bhakti Yog and Hatha Yog): 1000 AD to 1900 AD
• 5.Aadhunik Kaal(modern time period): 1900 AD to till date 

1. Shruti Kaal  :1500 BC -300 BC

• Time of Vedas
• Different aspects of Yoga were mentioned in Vedas: 5 types of Vayus mentoned in Yajurveda. Yajurveda also mentioned that the wise people concentrate all pranas from different of their body to attain heaven.

• In Brihad Aranyak Upanishad it is mentioned that Prana,Pana, Samana, Vyan, Udana all are forms of Prana only.

• In Katha Upasihad number of Nadis are mentioned as 101. One Nadi is rising  towards the head. The one who can make the prana through that path attains Amrit Tattva. This is Shushumna.

• Yoga was mentioned In Mundaka Upanishd, Chandogya Upanishad, taittariya Upanishd etc 
• In Taittariya Upanishad Pancha kosha concepts was described.

2. Sutra kaal (Darshan Kaal)-: 300 BC – 400 AD

• Creation of Yog sutra, Bhagvad Gita, Yog Vasistha etc
• Jain, Buddh literatures were written in this period.

 3.Tika kaal-  400 AD- 1000 AD

• Commentary on Yoga Bhasya by Vigyan Bhikshu, Bhoj Dev,Bachaspati Mishra etc were written. We can get details explanation of yoga in their commentaries during this period.
• This  is considered as best time period for Yoga.
• Upanishads were written during this period.

4.Utkarsh Kaal( Time of Bhati yog and Hatha Yog): 1000 AD to 1900 AD

• Development of Bhakti Yoga.
• Bhakti and Hatha yog became popular.
• Nath Sampraday got popularized.
• Control on mind through different physical activities.
• Famous Hathayogic texts like Hathayoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, and scriptures on Tantra were written in this period. 
• Attack on mandir, Ashram by foreign rulers . 

5.Aadhunik Kaal(modern): 1900 AD to till date 

• Many yogis like Swami Kuvaluananda, Shivananda,Maharshi raman, Swami Vivekanada, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa dev, Shyamacharan Lahiri, Yoganand ji Rishi Arvind , T Krishnamacharya, B KS Iyengar etc were born and dedicated, contributed their life for yoga.

• Kaivladhama Institute was established  by Swami Kuvalyananda ji for Scientific Research in Yoga in 1924.
• Kriya yoga by Shyamacharan Lahiri and his disciple Yoganand ji.
• Bihar school of Yoga was Established by Swami  Satyanand( he was the disciple of Swami Shivanand)
• Yogic Sukshma Vyama was popularized by  Swami Dheerendra Bramhchari.
• For the first time Post/vacancy of Yoga Teacher in Central Govt School by Swami Dheerendra Bramhchari.