| There are four stages of Yoga evolution, until we | | | | 5. Pratyahara (preparation for Meditation) |
| came to practice it nowadays. The stages are | | | | 6. Dhyana (Meditation) |
| Pre-classical Yoga, Classical Yoga, Post-classical Yoga, | | | | 7. Dharana (concentration) |
| and Modern Yoga. | | | | 8. Samadhi (is the absorption in the sublime). Patanjali |
| Pre-classical Yoga | | | | supports studying the sacred scriptures as part of |
| The Upanishad (Gnostic texts) appeared between | | | | the Yoga practice, which became Classical Yoga's |
| 1800-1500 B.C. It contains 200 scriptures, which | | | | distinct feature. Yoga Sutra main characteristic is its |
| explained the transcendental self, (atman) and its | | | | philosophical dualism. Patanjali believed in the |
| relationship with the reality (Brahman). Karma | | | | importance of prakriti (the matter) and purusha (the |
| principles originated with the Upanishads. | | | | spirit) separation to purify the spirit. Which differs |
| Vyasa was a great sage in 1400 B.C, he had | | | | from the Vedic and Pre-classical Yoga believes in the |
| categorized the Vedic hymns into four texts we use | | | | importance of body and spirit union. The Patanjali |
| nowadays, and they are: | | | | presented Yoga far from the traditional non-dualistic |
| | | | Yoga, and prepared it for the Post-classical Yoga. |
| 1. Sama Veda (knowledge of chants) | | | | After the Paranjali, Yogis focused on the Meditation |
| 2. Yajur Veda (knowledge of sacrifice) | | | | and neglected the Asanas. Then, by time, Yoga |
| 3. Rig Veda (knowledge of praise) | | | | masters shifted their thoughts to health, maintenance |
| 4. Atharva Veda (knowledge of Atharvan) Rishabha | | | | and longevity, and this was by introducing new Yoga |
| was a great Yoga teacher in 1200 B.C; he had | | | | techniques, which they believed affect the body |
| started the Jainism tradition, and this is due to the | | | | biochemistry and make it immortal. |
| liberation of the spirit. | | | | Post-Classical Yoga |
| Again, an urbanization began along the Ganges River | | | | Here is the rise of prolific literature, the different |
| in 1000 B.C. Lord Buddha spread the Buddhism which | | | | branches of Yoga including Hatha and Tantra, and the |
| focuses on meditation and ethics, ignoring physical | | | | rise of many holistic schools for Yoga. This one relies |
| postures. Buddhism is somehow similar to Hinduism. A | | | | on appreciating life and accepting the present |
| few years later, the Buddhism canonical scriptures | | | | moment. |
| were structured. | | | | Modern Yoga |
| Jaimini was a disciple of Vyasa; he had composed | | | | It arrived to the United States in the 1800's by many |
| Mimamsa Sutra (Hinduism text) in 300 B.C. However, | | | | Gurus. One of these Yoga gurus is Swami |
| emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism and widely | | | | Vivekanada, who was a Ramakrishna student, and his |
| spread it. | | | | teacher commissioned him to attend the Parliament |
| Classical Yoga | | | | of Religions in Chicago. Later on, he traveled around |
| When Yoga became widely spread, and due to it | | | | the U.S and spread Yoga traditions. |
| different forms, people thought about standardizing it. | | | | This was Yoga history and evolution, "interesting isn't |
| Therefore, in the second century, Patanjali composed | | | | it?" it shows us how important the Yoga is in all |
| a seminal text, Yoga Sutra and Classical Yoga. At | | | | times. As if, it is in the human beings instincts, and as |
| these times the 195 sutras in Yoga Sutra, used in | | | | if, we are born with its love. Yoga is essential for all |
| Raja Yoga (the eightfold Yoga path).The eightfold | | | | the human races to keep up a good health and life. |
| Yoga paths are: | | | | Next, we will list other Yoga gurus, who are the main |
| | | | founders of the Modern Yoga, and they are the |
| 1. Yama (restraint) | | | | cause of its spread worldwide, and its evolution, by |
| 2. Niyama (observance of purity, tolerance and study) | | | | introducing and developing new techniques and |
| 3. Pranayama (breath control) | | | | molding it to become so ideal to practice in our |
| 4. Asana (Physical exercises) | | | | present time. |