"The origins of yoga date back over 5,000 years, with some evidence suggesting it began as early as 15,000 years ago in the Indus Valley. During this time, spirituality and life were intertwined, laying the foundation for what we now call yoga. The first references to yoga appear in the Rigveda, an ancient Indian text from around 1500 BCE. The Rigveda contains hymns, mantras, and rituals. All emphasise breath control, discipline, and a connection to a higher power."
"One of the most significant milestones in yoga history is the compilation of the Yoga Sutras by the sage Patanjali around 200 BCE. This text laid the philosophical foundation for yoga. Outlining an eightfold path to achieve harmony between the mind, body, and soul. Interestingly, only three of the 196 sutras mention physical postures (asana). These refer to seated positions designed for meditation rather than the dynamic poses we see today."
Yoga originated thousands of years ago in the Indus Valley, with early texts like the Rigveda emphasizing breath control, discipline, and connection to a higher power. By 500 BCE the Upanishads introduced meditation and self-realization, alongside the rise of Buddhism and shared mindfulness parallels. Around 200 BCE Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras, outlining an eightfold path to harmony and mentioning physical postures only in seated, meditative contexts. Hatha yoga later emphasized bodily practices, and twentieth-century teachers such as Krishnamacharya shaped modern practice. Western adoption often prioritized fitness over philosophy, prompting efforts to reclaim yoga's deeper spiritual essence.
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