Practice of the Month
Yogavani in Hands, Yoga in Hearts: Moments of Distribution 
In a landmark moment for the Indian Yoga Association, Yogavani was released in its first-ever physical print edition with the February 2025 issue. This tangible expression of our yogic heritage was warmly received as members of IYA enthusiastically distributed copies to esteemed personalities, institutions, and...
Formation of the new committee for the Nagaland SCC 
In alignment with the Indian Yoga Association’s vision to strengthen and streamline its operations across the North-East, a decision was taken during the Executive Council Meeting held on January 28, 2025 under the leadership of the Maa Dr. Hansa Ji Yogendra, President, IYA, to reform...
IYA’s Gujarat State Chapter Committee reforms 
This report outlines the reformation of the Gujarat State Chapter Committee of the Indian Yoga Association, carried out through a Circular Resolution process in response to recent developments and to ensure continued and effective functioning of the Chapter. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the...
Reconstitution of Uttar Pradesh State Chapter Committee 
To strengthen the presence and outreach of the Indian Yoga Association in Uttar Pradesh, a Circular Resolution was passed for the reformation of the State Chapter Committee. The objective is to bring together dedicated yoga professionals and institutional representatives to promote IYA’s vision and facilitate...
New committee appointed for Puducherry State Chapter 
In a virtual meeting held on February 23, 2025, in the presence of IYA Joint Secretary Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, it was unanimously decided to reform the Puducherry State Chapter Committee to enhance the activities of the Indian Yoga Association in the region. Nominations were...
Indian Yoga Association reconstitutes West Bengal State Chapter Committee 
In the Executive Council meeting held on January 28, 2025 under the leadership of Maa Dr. Hansa Ji Yogendra, President, IYA a resolution was passed to reform the West Bengal State Chapter Committee (WBSCC). Nominations were subsequently invited from Life Members, Associate Centres, and Member...
Ananda Chaitanya Foundation’s transformative journey: Empowering minds and uplifting society 
In February 2025, Ananda Chaitanya Foundation (ACF) hosted a series of transformative events that blended ancient yogic wisdom with modern practical applications, touching the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds. The month kicked off with the Focus – Meditation Intensive Program, a two-day immersive event...
Vedic Kaya Sadhana organises certificate distribution ceremony 
Vedic Kaya Sadhana recently held a certificate distribution ceremony to honor students for their dedicated participation and successful completion of yoga training programs. The event celebrated their progress and commitment to the path of traditional and therapeutic yoga.
A Milestone for the Indian Yoga Association – Chhattisgarh Chapter 
In a significant moment for the Indian Yoga Association (IYA), the Dr. Mritunjay RathoreSecretary, IYA Chhattisgarh State Chapter had the honor of meeting Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, Chairman of IYA. The delegation sought his blessings and shared the chapter’s ongoing activities and key...
Aerial Yoga Workshop by Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya and TMS Yoga Studio, Chennai 
Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya, an Associate Centre of the Indian Yoga Association, in collaboration with TMS Yoga Studio, Chennai, successfully hosted a one-day Aerial Yoga Workshop on 15th March 2025. The session was led by Dr. C. Kamatchi, Founder of Krish Yoga Vidhyaalaya, who shared insightful...



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23 May 2025

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Timeline of Yoga
Articles

Timeline of Yoga 

by Mayank Raj Saxena, Life Member

Yoga can be said to have originated at the very dawn of the civilization thousands of years ago. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’, which means ‘to unite’. Yoga leads to self-realization while helping the individual overcome all sufferings making them achieve moksha.
The Pre-Vedic Era

In this period the knowledge was orally passed on and as a result most of the yogic techniques were lost during this period and the origins of this ancient science became mired in obscurity.

The Vedic Era

The Vedic period saw the four seminal texts come into being-

• Rig Veda
• Yajur Veda
• Sama Veda
• Atharva Veda

The great Maharishi Ved Vyasa (Rishi Badarayana) collated and classified the Vedas for the good of mankind and wrote the Brahma Sutras for the quick and easy understanding of the Vedas; he also wrote the Mahabharata to enable Common people to grasp the highest knowledge in the easiest way. Yoga during this period was expressed by the Vedic rishis, who were Ascetics, by conducting rituals and yajnas and the general populace Participated in a variety of ways to benefit from the healing vibrations Generated thereof.

The Pre-Classical Era

The Pre-Classical Period is considered to be the most fertile and Prominent period in the history and development of yoga. During this period, the Upanishads and Bhagawad Gita were scripted. Yoga had now crossed over from the realm of rituals to the knowledge of the Self; from the outer world to the world within. References to yoga and yogic techniques can be found in several Upanishads. In the pivotal text the Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna spoke not only to Arjuna but to all of humankind. It expounded the concept of Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga and Karma yoga as ways to reach the Supreme.

The Classical Era

The highlight of the Classical era is Maharishi Patanjali’s Yogasutras. Besides containing various aspects of yoga, Patanjali describes Eight-Fold Path of yoga, which is devised to take a sincere seeker towards liberation. Ved Vyasa also compiled a very important commentary on the Yoga sutras called the Yog Bhashya. This period witnessed the move towards the mastery of the Mind, which was clearly elucidated through yogic practices.

The Post-Classical Era

This era strengthened the already existing paths of yoga. Many texts that exist today were drafted during this era. Jnana yoga held its sway with the teachings of the great Acharyas Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhavacharya and Nimbarka. Bhakti yoga also came to the fore with the teachings of Suradasa, Tulasidasa, Purandardasa and Mirabai.Hatha yoga also found its expression in the Post classical era fromaround 800 A.D. – 1700 A.D. The Natha yogis like Matsyendaranatha, Gorakshanatha, Chauranginatha, Swatmaram Suri, Gheranda, Srinivasa Bhattacharya are some of the great Hatha yogis who popularized the Hatha yoga practices during this period.

The Modern Era

Yogacharyas Ramana Maharishi, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Paramahansa Yogananda, Vivekananda etc. dominated the Modern Era and contributed whole heartedly towards the development of Raja yoga. This was the period when Vedanta, Bhakti yoga & Hatha yoga flourished further. Now in the contemporary times, the general populace is looking at yoga with renewed respect and as an option for promoting and maintaining health. Yoga has reached the furthest corners of the world through the teachings of great personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Shivananda, Swami Kuvalayananda, Shri T.Krishnamacharya, Shri Yogendara, Acharya Rajaneesh, Swami Rama, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, Swami Satyananda Sarasvati, Shri BKS. Iyengar, Shri T.K.V Desikachar, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and many others. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar established Sri Sri Yoga. In 1982, Gurudev entered a ten- day period of silence in Shimoga located in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique, was born. With time, the Sudarshan Kriya became the core of The Art of Living courses around the world.

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