Classical Yoga
Where Did Yoga Originate?
18/12/08 13:44
Here
is a bit of writing we did in answer to the WikiAnswers question-
“where did yoga originate?” The Answer I saw there was “india”. I
thought it could use some more exposition, so I wrote the following
instead and thought it would be good to post here:
As in all cultures, it takes an event or personality behind a philosophy- the release of a book, a political event or some art form to push something to the forefront. Sage Patanjali was this for yoga as a system with the release of the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. Here is a book written by Swami Satchitananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda about these Sutras:
India is the simple answer geographically, but it was more formalized and systematized after the publishing of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras that describe the 8 limbs or rungs of progress or; asht(8)-anga(limbs) yoga that caused the general absorption of Sankkhya philosophy into Yoga and Vedanta.
This is a more accurate way of saying it, rather than saying that, for example, rock n roll music originated in America. Rock music was popularized by Elvis Presley, even though his way was cleared by Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and completed by the Beatles, Rolling Stones and others subsequently.
In the same way, the strongly dualistic manner of presentation of philosophy present in Sankhya philosophy is subsumed into the larger and more encompassing Vedantic context it exists in now.
Vaishesika and Nyaya have very large consistencies between them, although Currently, the general presentation of yoga in the world's consciousness can be described as fitting in well with a world view known as Smartism.
With the rise of Adi Shankara and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras these six views have largely been integrated into either yoga or Vedanta or both. Major forces in the rise of these yoga philosophies has been Swami Sivananda and his many influential disciples (particularly in the West), Sri Ramakrishna and his disciple Swami Vivekananda (Vedanta), and the various other more body-focused schools like the Bihar School of Yoga, The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, Integral Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga via Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his guru Krishnamacharya, BKS Iyengar, etc.
As in all cultures, it takes an event or personality behind a philosophy- the release of a book, a political event or some art form to push something to the forefront. Sage Patanjali was this for yoga as a system with the release of the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. Here is a book written by Swami Satchitananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda about these Sutras:
- Yoga - the process of union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness
- Vedanta - knowledge of Self, universe and God.
- Sankhya - philosophical and largely dualistic classification of the universe
- Vaishesika - analysis and characterising of the universe
- Nyaya - logic. Essentially the 'Aristotelian logic of India', it is the fundamental logical basis upon which Indian philosophy has been built
- Purva-Mimamsa - laws of formal religion, sacrifices, etc. The emphasis here is on correct action (orthopraxy) rather than correct belief (orthodoxy).
India is the simple answer geographically, but it was more formalized and systematized after the publishing of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras that describe the 8 limbs or rungs of progress or; asht(8)-anga(limbs) yoga that caused the general absorption of Sankkhya philosophy into Yoga and Vedanta.
This is a more accurate way of saying it, rather than saying that, for example, rock n roll music originated in America. Rock music was popularized by Elvis Presley, even though his way was cleared by Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and completed by the Beatles, Rolling Stones and others subsequently.
In the same way, the strongly dualistic manner of presentation of philosophy present in Sankhya philosophy is subsumed into the larger and more encompassing Vedantic context it exists in now.
Vaishesika and Nyaya have very large consistencies between them, although Currently, the general presentation of yoga in the world's consciousness can be described as fitting in well with a world view known as Smartism.
With the rise of Adi Shankara and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras these six views have largely been integrated into either yoga or Vedanta or both. Major forces in the rise of these yoga philosophies has been Swami Sivananda and his many influential disciples (particularly in the West), Sri Ramakrishna and his disciple Swami Vivekananda (Vedanta), and the various other more body-focused schools like the Bihar School of Yoga, The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, Integral Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga via Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his guru Krishnamacharya, BKS Iyengar, etc.
Comments
What Is Classical Yoga?
12/12/08 18:52
In
our experience, we have noticed that many people use yoga as
exercise or for flexibility or even maybe some spirituality ‘lite’.
DurgaDas was trained for some time in a classical monastic
tradition, and both DurgaDas and Shakti took their yoga teacher
training from a Classical Yoga organization- the Sivananda
organization. Fundamentally, this method of teaching, therefore,
follows in the vein of Smartism.
Even though our perspective is informed by other traditions and methods, the core of our teaching could be summarized as follows:
Even though our perspective is informed by other traditions and methods, the core of our teaching could be summarized as follows:
- An ancient system of knowledge based on the Vedas and Yoga scriptures. The understanding transmitted is larger than any individual.
- The method of transmission is through a lineage of spiritual teachers (masters/gurus) to students (disciples) in the Gurukula system; literally "in the house" (kula) with the remover (gu) of darkness (ru). What is transmitted is beyond mere information, but also attitudes and spiritual energy.
- It is a complete system. Yoga teachings are not intended to be partial; the yogic teaching system includes body/mind/spirit unifying practices including yoga postures, diet, austerities, ethics, meditation and much more.
- It is a discipline and the training is rigorous: it is not a quick fix and takes time. The student needs to be consistent, persistent and put effort into it.
- It is universal - not sectarian: the teachings are good for all, irrespective of cultural, religious backgrounds and other social conditions.
- It is selfless - spiritual knowledge can not be sold. All teachers are expected to behave with a spirit of karma yoga, detached from the fruits of their efforts.
- The goal is inner peace or Self-realization: i.e. realization of one's highest potentials.