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!

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