Yoga Traditions

As you may noticed in the “Information” section, yoga may be a little more broad that you had guessed. The history of yoga has a more or less open beginning date. Artifacts that have been dated as far back at 6000 years show people sitting in traditional yoga styles and have symbols that are similar to later artifacts that are linked to yoga. Unfortunately these early artifacts are so old that and textual content is unrecognizable and non-translatable. Using the term “Yoga Tradition” as Georg Feuerstein does in his information packed book “The Yoga Tradition” allows for some leniency. Looking at traditions that not so definable but seem to preceded very definable yoga traditions allows us to speculate that they m ay have been early yoga or pre-yoga. Practices that may have made up early yoga ritual are easy to link to even earlier rituals originating well prior to their first recognizable references in various ancient texts. This sets a precedent that even the earliest yogic practices were evolution's of even earlier practices just as today’s yoga’s are evolution's of what has preceded this very moment. Some of the worlds oldest and most grand texts the Vedas make up much of the roots of yoga. The Upanishads which follow the Vedas are easily dated as far back as 1500 BCE are in many ways the evolution's of the Vedas and are some one of the early locals of the word “Yoga”. As far back as the end of the Upanishadic age the diversity in yogically linked writings, traditions, practices and the locations of them become so broad that defining yoga begins to compare to defining the heart. The concerns of the times begin to drive the practices and rituals as far back as is identifiable and the rituals and practices develop in respect those who are going to use or perform them. Between this time period and today the amount of tradition and realatable literature is mind boggling. Take for example the Tantric tradition, by many considered to begin around 500 ce because of the early identifiable texts is an evolution of texts and writings that originate in the Upanishads and maybe even Vedas. Even within this fairly modern (1500 year old) tradition is an evolution of numerous sub-traditions and sects that branch out even further. If nothing less this should all put your mind at ease knowing that you just wont ever learn it all while at the same time you will always have something else to look into if you would like. You need not discount anything and you need not bind yourself to any particular thing either.

Because of the vastness of the topic, understand that there is always “another practice” or “another point of view” or “another explanation” for making something reasonable. Within the variety of different traditions and practices everything from radical renunciation, lifelong dedicated scriptural study, begging with skull bowels and more have been par for someone’s course. These practices may sound radical and foreign and may sound different than what you do in a gym today but the intent of all of these, if under the guise of yoga, are intended to lead towards the same thing, “Evolving”. Traditionally the highest evolution is often discussed as moving beyond body, beyond consciousness, beyond energy, into spiritual and into the undescribable. Brahma, as we ll as being the name of one of the godheads (an incarnation of a god figure by something that is even beyond the figure itself), is also a Hindu word that is a label for that which is beyond labeling, beyond the individuals full comprehension. Brahma, the more full recognition of Brahma, identifying with Brahma, evolving fully into Brahma and recognizing your connection to Brahma could be a description of the highest possible intentions and the end all connection between all traditional yoga practices. The variety of yoga traditions you may encounter, distinct in their practices and use of language probably all have in common this similar super-aspiration. Some argue that the intention is what distinguishes a yoga practice.

Do your yoga practices have to include spiritual aspirations? Absolutely not,, BUT they me be better served without self imposed limitations on the possibilities.

Are yoga practices religious? Yogic practices have been included in religions for thousands of years but they remain individual spiritual yogic practices used to enhance religious beliefs. A good way to look at it is, individual spirituality and social religion. This is not the way you have to define yoga and religion but it is in many ways very fair and consistent. Remember that the use of the word yoga has very broad and old connotations that might not be summarized in any short description.

Is yoga Fitness? Yes and No, physical fitness, mental fitness, energetic fitness, spiritual fitness would all have to be included in the possibilities and the disclusion of any one in particular may lead to a greater challenge in the evolution in the others. The use of the word “Fitness” as it is most often used in the west leaves out so much of the common traditions that it arguably doesn’t do justice to the word “Yoga”. Do some yoga practices propose physical fitness as part as a spectrum of practices? Yes! Are there yoga practices that in no way resemble western physical fitness practices? Yes! Are both of these ends of the spectrum useful, beneficial, traditional and modern? Yes!

Jump in, relax and enjoy the possibilities!