Yoga is a practice that combines a philosophy of self-knowledge with physical exercise, in pursuit of awareness and spiritual connection through meditation.
In fact, the exact origin of the practice of yoga is uncertain. It is extremely difficult to pinpoint the historical and geographical roots of the practice due to a lack of records. It emerged in ancient India within a broader spiritual and philosophical context.
The History of Yoga
Its earliest known references are found in sacred texts, the Vedas. The oldest texts describe the word “yoga” as synonymous with union and mental focus, a practical tool for concentrating the mind, controlling the body’s senses, and attaining a high level of self-knowledge. It is not portrayed merely as a series of physical exercises, but also as a form of meditation connected to the individual’s spirituality.
Unlike later texts, the Vedas describe yoga in symbolic and metaphorical terms as a means of achieving spiritual elevation. But it was when Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutra, systematized the practice that this concept began to evolve into what we know today.
Generally dated to somewhere between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, this short work consists of aphorisms outlining the philosophy and practice of yoga. Adopting the philosophical foundation of Samkhya metaphysics, which distinguishes pure consciousness from matter, he adds an active practice aimed at stilling the fluctuations of the mind.
The contemporary concept of yoga, as we know it today, can already be found in the Christian era. Around the 15th century, books such as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Gheranda Samhita mention postures and movements involved in the practice of yoga. Over time, new variations and segments of the practice have emerged.
The Rise of Yoga
Toward the end of the 19th century, yoga began to gain popularity around the world. Initially, there was a fusion of yoga’s underlying spiritual philosophy with Western gymnastics, adapting the practice beyond meditation and focusing more on physical health.
Its Westernization expanded significantly during a cultural boom in the 1960s and 1970s. The hippie movement and an interest in mysticism and Eastern culture grew among young people, who found in yoga an element that formed part of their esoteric aesthetic.
Due to the growing popularity of this practice around the world, yoga continues to reinvent itself today, drawing on influences from other cultures and sports.
The internet hype
In recent decades, yoga has taken on a very specific and popular role. It has become a form of self-care, primarily for the body, to increase flexibility and escape the stress and anxiety caused by daily routines.
Motivated by the wellness culture and the obsession with self-care, which are very prevalent these days, yoga is gaining more and more traction online, even as a way to differentiate and personalize content. People have been adopting the practice in an effort to lead healthier lives and focus on the well-being of both body and mind.
Driven by a wave of obsession with the body, healthy eating, extreme positivity, and the romanticization of one’s own life, yoga, like other forms of physical exercise, has become a trend and, as it goes increasingly viral, is drifting further from its origins.
Although it is not a religion or a religious practice, yoga shares its philosophy and ethics with Hinduism and uses spiritual concepts as the foundation for its practice. The problem lies in the fact that its essence is being reversed and, as a result, reduced from an ancient practice involving profound spiritual development and the building of a culture to a digital lifestyle.
The article above was edited by Sofia Bianco.
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