| There is no way to determine exactly when Yoga | | | | system of weights and measures and a grid road |
| was first practiced. We do know its roots are | | | | system and infrastructure which included a sewer |
| steeped in the ancient Hindu culture, where it can be | | | | system, which was the first recorded of its kind. |
| traced back at least 5,000 years. | | | | Along with these state of the art structures and |
| Some scholars believe Yoga was born out of | | | | systems, the Indus-Sarasvati civilization is responsible |
| Shamanism during the Stone Age. This belief is based | | | | for the oldest known scripture in the world, which is |
| on a number of similarities between the Neolithic | | | | known as The Vedas. It is a compendium of hymns |
| settlements Mergarh (The Indus Valley Civilization | | | | that recognizes a higher power, and is the oldest |
| now known as Pakistan and India 7000 BCE - 3200 | | | | record of Yoga teachings. The Vedas was considered |
| BCE) and Modern Hinduism. But, in reality, it was | | | | brilliant and is recognized as the Vedic or pre-classical |
| probably, just the opposite. Shaman practices | | | | Yoga. |
| observed by Mergarh, was in fact influenced by the | | | | CLASSICAL YOGA |
| Hindu beliefs held at that time. | | | | This was only the beginning of Yoga, which became |
| Shamanism's purpose was twofold: To heal, and to | | | | defined as classical Yoga following the composition |
| serve as the mediator of religious issues. In many | | | | and collection of influential texts by C. E. Patanjali. |
| ways, the object of the ancient Yogis was the same | | | | (Second and third centuries C.E.) |
| in that the Hindu belief system was also inclined to | | | | From these seminal writings came the onset of much |
| uplift the connection of one's community. | | | | productive literature, and between the 7th and 17th |
| PROGRESSION OF YOGA | | | | centuries A.D., the sacred books of the Postclassical |
| As the centuries passed, the practice of Yoga | | | | Yoga were introduced. The Tantra, written as a |
| progressed, incorporating the regard for inner | | | | dialogue between the Hindu God, Shiva and his wife |
| experience. A Yogi's technique placed emphasis on | | | | Shakti; and the Hatha, a comprehensive and in-depth |
| the improvement of the individual, his enlightenment | | | | writing on the elements of Yoga, were complied. |
| and recovery, along with salvation. | | | | INTRODUCTION OF YOGA TO THE UNITED |
| The first real indication of Yoga's existence came | | | | STATES |
| from a set of stone seals unearthed in the Indus | | | | These works of literature were read and embraced |
| Valley. These were first inserted into records of | | | | by many, and over time, they were adapted and |
| history that date to about 3000 BC, and were linked | | | | introduced to people in its present state. The United |
| to the Indus-Sarasvati (ancient India, once | | | | States was first introduced to the concept in the |
| unrecognized as part of the enormous civilization); | | | | 1800s. |
| perhaps the largest civilization in existence in the | | | | In recent years, Yoga has experienced a rapid |
| ancient world. | | | | evolution. This can be credited, in part, to Swami |
| INDUS-SARASVATI | | | | Sivananda, one of the most well known gurus to |
| Indus-Sarasvati was famous for the exportation of | | | | ever master Yoga, served as a doctor and opened a |
| many products to Africa and the Middle Eastern | | | | number of schools in Europe and America. Much of |
| world. They were a very progressive people who | | | | today's Yoga is based on the Swami's writings. |
| constructed multi story buildings, temples, baths, a | | | | |