History of Yoga ::

     The origins of yoga are shrouded in a mist of time - for yoga is regarded as a divine science of life, revealed to enlightened sages in Meditation. The oldest archaeological evidence of its existence is provided by a number of stone seals showing figures in yogic postures, escavated from the Indus valley and thought to date from around 3000BC. These yogic postures, escavated from the Indus valley resemble Lord Shiva and Parvathi performing various Asanas and practicing meditation. According to mythical tradition, Shiva is said to be the founder of yoga and Paravati his first disciple. Yoga is first mentioned in the vast collection of scriptures called the Vedas, portions of which date from at least 2500 BC, but it is the Upanishads- which form the later part of the Vedas-that provide the main foundation of yoga teaching. According to the Indian mythology, two main epics were written one of them being Mahabharata, by Sage Vyasa which contains the Bhagavad Gita. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Krishna, Instructs the warrior Arjuna in Yoga to help him to achieve liberation by fulfilling one's duties in Life.

     Yoga arose at the beginning of human civilization when man first realized his spiritual potential and began to evolve techniques to develop it, The yogic science was slowly evolved and developed by ancient sages all over the world. The essence of yoga has often been shrouded in or explained by different symbols, analogies and languages. Some traditions believe that yoga was a divine gift revealed to the ancient sages, so that mankind could have the opportunity to realize its divine nature. In ancient times, yoga techniques were kept secret and were never written down or exposed to public view. They were passed on from teaching or Guru to disciple by word of Mouth. In this way there was a clear understanding of their meaning and aim.

     In the 6th century BC, Lord Buddha's influence brought the ideals of meditation, ethics and morality to the fore and the preparatory practices of yoga were ignored. However Indian thinkers soon realized the limitations of the view. Yogi Matsyendranath taught that before taking to the practices of meditation, the body and its elements need purifying. One of the yogic posture too bears his name Matsyendrasana One of the most outstanding authorities on hatha yoga, Swami Swatmarama wrote the Hatha yoga pradipika, or 'Light on yoga' in Sanskrit, which describes the various Asanas and breathing exercises which forms the basis of the modern practice of yoga. The science of yoga has passed the test of thousands of years of trial and refinement. The great rishis and Munis of India, who renounced the world, studied, meditated and thought upon it in isolation for years together, have developed this science over the Milleniums. Therefore, thus science is based upon thousand of years of Intellectual research by many great sages and saints, who have actually lived and practiced it.

     Paramahamas Satyananda Saraswati is considered one of the greatest saints of recent times, who strongly advocated the integration of yoga with society and encouraged the spiritual evolution of all people regardless of caste, creed or religion. Twenty years after renouncing the world, Paramahansa Satyananda established in 1963, the Bihar school of yoga in Munger, Bihar, India. This became the focal point of yoga experience for people from all over the world Paramahansa Satyananda also embarked on many world tours propagating the yogic path to countless aspirant and as " a door to door and shore to shore "Campaign to fulfill the mandate of his guru, Swami Sivananda.

     Under his inspiration hundreds of small yoga groups and ashrams developed in India and abroad and soon he became one of the first yogic masters to translate the yogic principles and techniques into modern Scientific Language by encouraging research into the Scientific healing principles of yoga.

     After giving yoga a new dimension, Paramahansa Satyananda passed on the mantle of yoga master in 1983 to his ardent disciple, Paramahansa Niranjananda Saraswatri, under whose guidance the yoga movement has entered into a new era. The first yoga University in the world in Munger, Bihar India, was founded by Paramahansa Niranjananda Saraswati in 1994, which is gaining tremendous response from all over the world.

            

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