Yoga History

In the following 3 lesson videos we break down 3 epochs of yoga history including the people who founded yoga, the philosophy of yoga, and the cultures and places that carried its tradition through the past thousands of years.

  1. The Pre-Classical Period

The first video (below) covers the earliest period of yogic history from 10,000 BC until 500 BC. We are calling this period the “ancient” or “pre-classical” period. During the late stages of this period, the Harrapan/Dravidian cultures that invented India began to decline, and the incoming Aryan language (sanskrit) and culture (caste) started to influence yoga practice. The Vedas, an ancient Aryan belief structure, became prevalent alongside yoga starting around 1000 BC. This period was shrouded in mystery until 21st century archaeologists discovered artifacts indicating that the practice of yoga, and likely the Samkhya philosophy originated with the Dravidian people of the Indus Valley, and is of non-Vedic origin.

What is Yoga? Lesson 1: Ancient/Pre Classical History of People, Places, Philosophies.

A look at yoga history from 10,000 BC until 500 BC.

2. Classical Period

The second video (below) covers a very important period of yogic history from 700 BC to 700 AD. We are calling this period the “classical” period. It is characterized by great transitions as the culture in India changed greatly. The early days of Aryan influence in India, and the philosophical blending of ancient yoga and Brahmanism developed a structure of yoga that could be passed on through language (the original written languages of yoga are now lost, although the Dravidian languages still exist). During this time, Vedic thought dominated India and the Dravidian people became brutally governed by the Aryans through the caste system The practice of yoga was forever translated into Sanskrit and the ancient language of the Dravidians, and some of their practices and beliefs of incorporating the philosophy of yoga to life were undoubtedly lost. Many ideas of yoga were altered to fit the new power structure of the Brahmins.

What is Yoga? Lesson 2: Classical History of People, Places, Philosophies.

A look at yoga history from 700 BC to 700 AD.

3. Post-Classical Period

The third video (below) covers a tumultuous time of yoga history from 500 AD until 2000 AD. We are calling this period the “post-classical” period. It is dominated by Brahmanism as India and yoga became governed by the caste system. Due to the nature of brahmanistic ideas, the practice of yoga became very physical, as the more physical Hatha Yoga became the prominent means of practice. During this time yoga and its founding philosophy, Samkhya, became regarded as a subset of Brahman thought even though it was older, and have since been intertwined with those beliefs. Many modern yoga teachers are unaware of what yoga was before it was adopted by Brahmanism, and teach yoga as being founded in the Vedas.

What is Yoga? Lesson 3: Post-Classical History of People, Places, Philosophies.

A look at yoga history from 500 AD to 2000 AD