Is Yoga From Hinduism?
Yoga has become increasingly popular in modern society as a form of physical exercise and as an approach to stress relief and mindfulness. Although yoga is now embraced by cultures around the world and not exclusive to India or Hinduism, it is often associated with these two avenues due to its ancient roots. Through this article, we seek to answer the question of whether modern-day yoga is actually derived from Hinduism and how the two intertwine.
The term yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, meaning ‘to yoke’ or ‘to join’. The practice is believed to have started in India, as part of the ancient spiritual tradition of Hinduism. Hinduism is the world’s oldest continuously practiced religion and shares several principles with modern-day forms of yoga. It places an emphasis on physical and mental well-being and is concerned with states of spiritual joy and insight. The connection between yoga and Hinduism is intricate and complex, with each influencing the other.
Whilst many practitioners of yoga come from non- Hindu backgrounds, the practice is still bound up in the cultural history of Indian subcontinent and its traditional religions. The roots of yoga are found in the Sanskrit scriptures known as Vedas, which are the foundation of Hinduism. Due to this, it is difficult to separate modern forms of yoga from the Hinduism that it is rooted in, with yoga often seen by some as a tool to reach enlightenment through several spiritual ideals shared with Hinduism.
That being said, despite its Hindu roots, the practice of yoga has become increasingly more open and accessible, with many people around the world taking a secular approach to its concepts and methods. Several long established organisations such as the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre have adapted Yoga to become a popular global system for physical, mental and spiritual health, regardless of whether there is an acceptance of Hinduism as a doctrine or not. In addition, there are various therapeutic forms of yoga which have been recognised by the international health community, with benefits proven for physical, psychological and intellectual health.
Yoga and Hinduism: Physical Health Benefits
One of the greatest gifts of yoga to modern society is its ability to promote physical health. Some of the main benefits felt from regular practice include improved flexibility, increased muscle strength, improved respiration and energy flow as well as enhanced cardiovascular health. Often yoga is used to help reduce symptoms of conditions such as tiredness, insomnia, depression, chronic pain and even cancer. It also has a calming effect on the body which can assist in reducing stress, lowering high blood pressure and improving overall health.
The ancient practice involves linking breath, mindfulness and physical postures which connect the mind and body and help to cultivate strength and relaxation. Yogic knowledge is embedded in the Hindu culture, with the Bhagavad Gita noting that satisfaction is obtained through developing a relationship between the body and the mind and between the mind and nature. Therefore, from a Hindu perspective, the physical benefits of yoga are not just seen as physical conditioning, but as a form of personal transformation.
Yoga and Hinduism: Spiritual Benefits
Furthermore, Hinduism strongly influences the more spiritual aspects of yoga, deepening its aim to achieve understanding and enlightenment. This is out of the belief that one’s deepest self is God, with each individual connected to this referred to as the Atman. Through the practice of yoga, or union, the adept works to identify the Atman and contemplate on its nature until a sense of union is achieved with the highest truth.
The term Yoga is interchangeable with the term ‘self-realisation’, with scriptures of Hinduism such as the Vedas noting that realisation of one’s self through yoga leads to a profound transformation of being and understanding. This open source of knowledge is shared in order to generate deep inner satisfaction, harmony and peace with oneself. It is through this journey of understanding that Hinduism and yoga are connected, with practitioners of yoga constantly looking towards the path of liberation and self-realization to achieve a spiritual understanding.
Types of Yoga:
With the combination of these two powerful concepts, several branches and practices of yoga have emerged. These include Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Karma Yoga. Jnana Yoga is a path of knowledge and wisdom that uses meditation, yoga and contemplation to reach understanding of one’s true self and the Universe.
Bhakti Yoga is a path of love, involving the devotion to a deity and cultivating the attitude of love for all humanity. Raja Yoga works on the path of control and uses different methods, involving contemplation, breath control, postures and withdrawal of the senses. Hatha Yoga mainly focuses on the physical aspect of yoga, involving breathing techniques and physical postures. Last but not least, Karma Yoga is a path of action involving dedicating one’s actions and intensity to a higher power in order to discover one’s true self.
Yoga and Hinduism: Ancient Practices of the East in Modern Societies
In conclusion, it is certainly evident that yoga is a powerful practice connected to Hinduism. Whilst the two exist in a complex relationship and the differences and similarities between modern-day yoga and Hinduism are blurred, this has not stopped individuals around the world from engaging in practice and taking what resonates with them. Furthermore, yoga has empowered humanity with practices that can promote physical and mental health and spiritual knowledge, allowing us to grow and understand ourselves to a greater degree.
Yoga Teachers and Influencers:
In the modern age there is no shortage of teachers or influencers in the yoga and Hinduism field, with the likes of Sadhguru, Adriene Mishler and Shiva Rea leading international yoga programmes that have made yoga and its principles accessible online. It is through these inspirational figures that yoga is able to remain in the public eye, whilst giving back to the community in ways that both ancient yogis and followers of Hinduism from thousands of years ago could only have dreamed of.
Yoga and Connectivity:
Additionally, due to the global accessibility of yoga, the practice has allowed individuals to make connections with one another, with community events and group classes now a core part of the yoga experience. The effects of these connections are invaluable, as a sense of unity is often felt that transcends any boundaries between cultures or beliefs.
Compassion, Kindness and Respect:
Yoga also enables individuals to practice and learn the principles of compassion, kindness and respect, values which are treasured in Hinduism and shared by many as part of a universal ethic of caring for our neighbours and for the environment. As a result, the practice of yoga has become viewed around the world as a form of spiritual healing and transformation, which has been rooted in the ancient culture of Hinduism since the beginning of its time.
