Demystifying Yoga: History, Philosophy and Schools, with a Clear Speech

Elodie Abadie • 8 décembre 2023
So, you want to know more about yoga, huh?
That's great! Because yoga is so much more than weird poses and and contortionist positions. Yoga has a rich philosophy, and a lot of different school of thought. It's a bit
like an all-you-can-eat buffet for body and soul. Sit back comfortably, and let's explore the fundamentals of yoga in simple terms.

1/History of Yoga

Let's start with the genesis of this fascinating practice. Yoga wasn't invented last week. We are talking about thousands of years, my friend. It goes back to the Indus Valley, in India, over 5000 years ago. Yes, you read that right, 5000 years! At that time yoga wasn't yet a trendy discipline, but rather a philosophical and spiritual one.

It was through ancient texts, such as the Upanishads, that yoga first appeared. They spoke of union of the individual soul (which they called Atman) with the universal soul(Brahman). This idea of the connection between our tiny soul and the entire universe is the core of yoga.


Over time, around the 6th century B.C., yoga began to take on a more physical form.

Postures, breathing techniques and meditations to prepare body and mind for enlightenment. Yoga was evolving from a philosophical conversation to a dance between body and mind.


2/ Yoga Philosophy explained in a few words

Now, let's look at the philosophy of yoga, but without getting into endless terms. Yoga is like a cocktail of ancient ideas pushing you to be the best you can be.

**Dharma**: For yogis, dharma is like your duty in life. It's the idea that everything has a purpose and a place in the universe. Your mission is to discover and follow your own dharma, to be in harmony with the cosmos.

**Atman and Brahman**: Imagine the Atman as a drop of water,

and Brahman as the infinite ocean. Yoga helps you understand that you are part of this vast ocean, and realizing this connection is like coming home.

**Moksha**: Moksha is the spiritual jackpot. It's the ultimate state of liberation, when you realize you're not limited by the body or the ego. You escape the cycle of reincarnation to join the great whole. Think of it as a huge sigh of relief.


3/ Yoga Schools of thought: More choice than an all-you-can-eat buffet

Now that you've got the basics covered, let's take a look at the

schools of yoga. It's a bit like choosing your favorite dessert from an all-you-can-eat buffet. There's something for everyone.


1. **Hatha Yoga**: This is the classic, the fundamental, the grandpa of modern yoga. It focuses on balancing body and mind through poses (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama). It's like the vegetable soup of yoga:

simple, but full of benefits.


2. **Vinyasa Yoga**: Vinyasa is like the dance of yoga. It synchronizes movement with the breath. It's dynamic,it makes you sweat, and it's perfect for those who love a challenge.


3. **Ashtanga Yoga**: If you want an intensive form of yoga, Ashtanga is for you. It follows a specific series of poses and breaths. You can think of it as an obstacle course for yogis.


4. **Kundalini Yoga**: With Kundalini, you awaken the vital energy in you. This is done through breathing exercises, meditation and chanting. It's the pop-rock of yoga.


5. **Bikram Yoga**: If you like it hot, Bikram is your best friend. It's practised in a room heated to a specific temperature. Sweat flows freely, and muscles relax. It's like the sauna of yoga.


6. **Iyengar Yoga**: Iyengar yoga emphasizes precision and alignment. Props such as straps and blocks are used to make sure that each pose is perfect. It's like a customized yoga.


7. **Yin yoga**: Yin yoga is a passive, static and introspective practice. The practice of Yin yoga means being present in the pose. The goal is to slow down with a meditative approach.


8. **Yoga dance** : Yoga Dance, as its name indicates, is the union of yoga and dance. The poses are linked together with movement and choreographed transitions, performed to music. The fluidity, movement and freedom offered by dance blends perfectly with the mindfulness and deep breathing

yoga's philosophy. A flow is created, you can completely let go and disconnect.



The bottom line is that all of these methods share a common goal: to help you find harmony between your body, mind and soul. The differences lie in the specific approaches and specific methods. It's a bit like having an all-you-can-eat buffet of yoga styles to make you feel good about yourself.


**Conclusion: Yoga is your journey.


Well, yogi friend, you now have a clear overview of the foundations of yoga, its captivating history, its profound philosophy, and the many schools that are part of this wonderful world. Yoga, is first and foremost your journey. Take what resonates with you, explore the different styles and find what feels good. It's like a great adventure, with yourself as the guide. So get on your mat and let the journey begin!

🌿 Living Yoga Every Day

par Elodie Abadie • 1 décembre 2025
What if yoga wasn’t just about postures?
What if, beyond the mat, this ancient practice became a way of inhabiting your life — acting with awareness, breathing with presence, and connecting deeply to yourself and the world around you? Through its eight branches, yoga offers far more than a series of physical exercises.
It’s a complete philosophy of life, a daily art of living, and an inner compass to navigate with balance, authenticity, and serenity. In this article, you’ll rediscover the 8 limbs of yoga — known as Ashtanga Yoga — and learn how each one can transform your life, step by step, breath by breath.

Yoga Alignment: Beyond the Postures

par Elodie Abadie • 17 novembre 2025
You might think that alignment in yoga means placing your knee perfectly above your ankle, keeping your hips square, and your spine long and straight.
But what if it was so much more than that? In our culture of “doing things right,” alignment is often reduced to a technical cue — a matter of perfect lines and precision.
Yet in yoga, true alignment goes far beyond the body .
It extends into the breath, the energy, the emotions — and the way you connect to yourself. This article invites you to revisit this word we hear everywhere and rediscover its deeper meaning — on your mat and in your life.

Simple Yoga: Returning to What Really Matters

par Elodie Abadie • 3 novembre 2025
What if we practiced yoga to return to simplicity? 
Not to perform.
Not to master a thousand postures.
Not to impress.
But to come back to what truly matters: one breath, one presence, one body we truly listen to. Today, yoga is often seen as a performance discipline — associated with the image of the perfect body or the most advanced pose. 
Yet, in its essence, yoga is a practice of awareness and unity .
It’s not about doing more, but about being more present. This article invites you to drop the masks, let go of the “shoulds,” and rediscover yoga as a path back to yourself — to slowness, to simplicity, and to truth.

Emotional Release Through Movement

par Elodie Abadie • 20 octobre 2025
What if your body had messages that your mind can’t put into words?
What if free movement was a doorway to everything you feel deeply but don’t dare to express? The body remembers.
The body speaks.
And sometimes, all it takes is letting it move differently so it can finally set itself free. In this article, let’s explore the emotional intelligence of the body, the blocks that manifest through physical tension, and the power of spontaneous movement to bring back breath, clarity, and inner peace.

Dancing Your Yoga: Freedom and Expression

par Elodie Abadie • 6 octobre 2025
What if your yoga mat became more than just a space for postures?
Imagine it as an inner playground, a sacred space where you can move differently, breathe deeply, and express yourself freely. Dancing your yoga is a unique practice that blends free movement, breath awareness, and spontaneous creativity.
It’s a yoga that both grounds and liberates.
A yoga that isn’t limited to “doing it right,” but one that invites you to feel, create, and vibrate. In this article, discover what it means to dance your yoga, the benefits of this practice, and how to integrate it into your daily life.

How to Overcome the Fear of Failure?

par Elodie Abadie • 29 septembre 2025
The fear of failure affects everyone, regardless of age, background, or life path. It often prevents us from taking action , seizing opportunities, or truly believing in ourselves. Combined with the fear of judgment from others, it can become paralyzing if we don’t learn how to understand and transform it. In this article, let’s explore why the fear of failure exists, what the signs are, what failure can teach us, and above all, how to overcome it to regain confidence, serenity, and motivation.

Yoga: Why and How to Set an Intention

par Elodie Abadie • 22 septembre 2025
I n yoga practice, every posture (asana) and every breath carries a deeper meaning. But there is one tool that makes your practice even more powerful: setting an intention. More than a simple ritual, an intention acts like an inner compass. It guides your energy, directs your mind, and transforms your yoga session into a true experience of awareness and alignment. 👉 In this article, you’ll discover why setting an intention in yoga is essential , how to formulate it effectively, when to use it, and the benefits it can bring both to your practice and to your daily life.

Intuitive Dance: Rediscovering Inner Freedom

par Elodie Abadie • 15 septembre 2025
Intuitive dance is attracting more and more people seeking well-being, creativity, and release. But what exactly is it? As its name suggests, it is a dance guided by intuition rather than an imposed choreography. Here, there are no rules, no codes, no aesthetics to respect. You move freely, in tune with your sensations, emotions, and breath. Intuitive dance is an invitation to reconnect with your body and your deeper self through spontaneous movements, without judgment or performance.

Yoga and Money: Is It Worth Investing in Yourself?

par Elodie Abadie • 8 septembre 2025
Talking about money is often delicate—especially when it comes to a spiritual and ancient practice like yoga. Many people associate yoga with inner peace, serenity, and the search for meaning, while seeing money as a purely material value opposed to this quest. But the reality is much more subtle: yoga and money are not incompatible. Practicing yoga often requires an investment: studio classes, workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, equipment (mats, props…). This raises an important question: why do we hesitate so much to invest in our well-being, when we spend much more easily on things that don’t necessarily bring lasting value to our lives? In this article, let’s explore the link between yoga and money , and why investing in your practice may be one of the best choices you can make.

Teaching Yoga: Where to Begin?

par Elodie Abadie • 1 septembre 2025
I t is often said that we learn best by teaching others what we ourselves have understood.
Teaching, and especially teaching yoga, is a true vocation rooted in sharing. More and more yoga enthusiasts are taking the step to become teachers. But how do you start teaching yoga? What steps should you take, what skills are required, and what qualities are essential to transmit this ancient discipline? In this guide, we’ll explore the key points to becoming an inspiring, competent, and aligned yoga teacher.