If Gautama, Buddha, and Buddha Bhikshus could be found in India about 570 B.C., there is nothing extraordinary in placing Patanjali three centuries earlier, that is, 870 B.C., in other words between the 9th and 10th centuries B.C. ; although the changes of language would necessitate our placing him even earlier.

Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (18 November 1888 – 28 February 1989) was an Indian yoga teacher, ayurvedic healer and scholar. Often referred to as “the father of modern yoga,” Krishnamacharya is widely regarded as one of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century.

It wasn’t “invented” by Bikram or even Patanjali. A being they called the Adiyogi first brought yoga to the planet. He is often referred to as Shiva. Some see this being as a god, but he was simply a human who had risen beyond the limitations of the physical world.

Yoga-sutras

Many thousands of years later, Patanjali came and saw that it had become too complex and diversified for anyone to grasp in a meaningful way. So, he codified all aspects of yoga into a certain format known as the Yoga Sutras. And so, Patanjali is known as the father of modern yoga. “Sutra” literally means “a thread”.

Haridwar-based Patanjali group, which has acquired debt-ridden Ruchi Soya, expects to have a turnover of Rs 35,000-Rs 40,000 crore in the next financial year and to become the largest company in the FMCG sector in the coming years replacing market leader HUL, said Yoga Guru Ramdev here on Friday.

Yogi has since the 12th century CE also denoted members of the Nath siddha tradition of Hinduism, and in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, a practitioner of tantra. In Hindu mythology, the god Shiva and the goddess Parvati are depicted as an emblematic yogi–yogini pair.

Yogic marriage is a tradition of Hindu marriage done within Shaivite sadhakas and sadhvis, to enable them to get positive energy from yajnas and homas. Though a sexual relation is not excluded in this form of marriage, it is consummated only in exceptional circumstances.

Nevertheless, what is certain is that ancient Vedic culture, which lays claim to being the first written spiritual tradition in the world, is much older than the loosely formed religion, Hinduism, that sprang from it. The spiritual practice of Yoga was part of Vedic culture long before Hinduism.

Swami Vivekananda

The ancient form of Yoga is known as the Vedic Yoga which dates back to the Rig Veda, the oldest written Sanskrit work in the world. It was probably written some 10,000 years ago, during the Golden Age or the Satya Yuga. Santosh Yoga Institute is specialised in teaching Vedic Yoga.

In ancient times yoga was often referred to as a tree, a living entity with roots, a trunk, branches, blossoms, and fruit. Hatha yoga is one of six branches; the others include raja, karma, bhakti, jnana, and tantra yoga. Each branch with its unique characteristics and function represents a particular approach to life.

“Hatha yoga” originally meant the physical practice of yoga, the poses rather than the breathing exercises. The term now is often used when a few yoga styles are combined to create a simple class that’s good for beginners learning to do basic poses. Anusara yoga is a modern system of Hatha yoga.

Yoga tantra is the last and highest of the outer tantras, and here external rites are seen as much less important than internal practices.

RESTORATIVE YOGA Restorative is a gentle, relaxing, passive style that allows students to relax and release the body into a gentle stretch that is held for as long as 10 minutes. This style makes use of a wide range of props, including bolsters, blocks, straps and blankets.