The Therapeutic and Spiritual Secrets of Yoga Gurus

We knew previously about Yoga history, and ancientand they depended on the time, believes, traditions
yogis and Yoga founders. We also knew Swamiand the place. At the beginning, Yoga goals were to
Vivekanada, who spread Yoga in the U.S.Another oneunderstand the world and live in harmony with it,
and the most popular was Swami Paramashansahowever, by time, this was changed and Yoga
Yogananda, who had founded the Self Realizationevolved to concern the world and the self, too.
Fellowship. He wrote a Yogi autobiography. In additionAfter the sixth Century, Yoga evolved to have the
to Krishnamurti; who traveled a lot and spread Jnanaposes and meditation as essential elements in it.
Yoga, and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who spreadModern Yoga based on five principles created by
Transcendental Meditation(TM) in the 60's. He wasSwami Sivananda, and they are; breathing; exercising;
the most popular of them all as he was associatedrelaxing; thinking and meditation; and diet.
with the Beatles.Nowadays; Yoga is used as an alternative therapy,
- Himalyan Swami Sivananda modified the fivebecause of its healing powers, e.g. backache healing,
principles of Yoga:headaches; ...etc, and this is supported by many
- Pranayama (proper breathing)physicians, who are aware of Yoga's benefits and
- Savasana (proper relaxation)effectiveness. They already recommend it to their
- Dhyana (positive thinking and meditation)patients, so that they would benefit from its healing
- Asanas (proper exercise)powers, plus its relaxation effect, and this makes
- Vegetarian (proper diet)them guarantee physiological and psychological
In addition, he wrote many books about Yoga.treatment, too. In addition, it neutralizes the negative
Swami Sivananda founded the International Sivanandaenergies; and strengthens the inner positive energies.
Yoga Vedanta Centers, and wrote the illustratedEventually, Yoga is a spiritual practice, practiced in so
book of Yoga.many techniques around the world. So many cultures
Swami Satchitananda introduced Yoga to Woodstock.had affected Yoga; like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
While Swami Sivananada Rdha; is the female whoand the West). In addition, it was in so many
found the relationship of Yoga and psychology. In thelanguages; like Hindi, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Bengali, Prakit,
70's; yogi Bhajan started the Kundalini Yoga, andTamil, Marathi and Pali.
founded the 3HO (holy, happy and healthy). SriYoga spreading is nonstop, and it is still spreading its
Krishnamacharya taught the Viniyoga Hatha Yoga. Hismessage of peace to the whole world, and will
son, Desikachar, continued on this tradition. Obviously,always be spreading. It is like any species; which
this family was so into Yoga, as Desikachar's brotherreproduces and proliferates, the masters transfer
in law, who is B.K.S. Lyengar, continued this tradition,Yoga traditions to the Yogis; and so on. Yoga will
too. Later on, they had so many followers.never die as long as human beings exist on earth.
Nowadays, yoga masters are Sathya Sai Baba andYoga lives in our spirits and in any Yogis soul.
Swami Satyananada (the founder of the Bihar SchoolWhenever you get into the Yoga world, you will be
of Yoga), and many more.involuntarily eager to explore more about this world
Yoga evolution and development were systematic,of wonders.