{"id":8583,"date":"2026-08-26T06:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T06:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yogamatsya.com\/?page_id=8583"},"modified":"2026-10-04T07:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T07:37:55","slug":"history-of-yoga","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/yogamatsya.com\/en\/history-of-yoga\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matsya Yoga \u00b7 Knowledge<\/p>\n

The History of Yoga<\/h1>\n

A Journey to the Roots of Yoga<\/p>\n

Go to the chapters<\/a> The book on yoga<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Matsya<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Introduction<\/p>\n

Why the roots of yoga matter<\/h2>\n

Long before there were yoga studios or mats, yoga was a science of being, thousands of years old \u2013 an answer to humanity's most fundamental questions.<\/p>\n

Those who know the roots of yoga practise differently: more consciously, more respectfully, and with a deeper understanding of what is actually happening on the mat. We invite you to travel back with us to those origins.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"mantra<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

N\u0101sad\u012bya S\u016bkta<\/p>\n

In the N\u0101sad\u012bya S\u016bkta, one of the oldest creation hymns of humankind, we read:<\/p>\n

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Then there was neither non-existence nor existence. There was no air then, nor the heavens beyond.<\/p>\n

In the beginning there was only darkness wrapped in darkness. All this was but unillumined cosmic water.<\/p>\n

But in the end, who knows, and who can say whence it all came and how creation happened?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is the question with which the history of yoga also begins. Discover with us the roots, the pre-classical and the classical era of this tradition, thousands of years old.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Six chapters<\/p>\n

The journey through the history of yoga<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"was<\/span><\/div>

Chapter 1<\/p>\n

What is Yoga?<\/a><\/h3>\n

An answer to humanity's most fundamental questions.<\/p>\n

Yoga is a science of the phenomenon of being \u2013 explore with us how Pata\u00f1jali, Y\u0101j\u00f1avalkya and Abhinavagupta each defined yoga.<\/p>\n

The opening of our journey through the history of yoga.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read on the blog<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"text<\/span><\/div>

Chapter 2<\/p>\n

Roots of Yoga<\/a><\/h3>\n

What does \"yoga\" literally mean, and where do its oldest roots lie?<\/p>\n

From the chariot metaphor through the \u1e5agveda to the first mention of pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma in the B\u1e5bhad\u0101ra\u1e47yaka Upani\u1e63ad.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read the chapter<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"yoga<\/span><\/div>

Chapter 3<\/p>\n

The Pre-Classical Era<\/a><\/h3>\n

From the ascetic \u015arama\u1e47as through the Bhagavad G\u012bt\u0101 to Yog\u0101c\u0101ra Buddhism.<\/p>\n

How yoga developed into a path of its own during the pre-classical era.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read the chapter<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"klasssiches<\/span><\/div>

Chapter 4<\/p>\n

The Classical Era<\/a><\/h3>\n

How Pata\u00f1jali's Yoga S\u016btras turned yoga into a philosophy in its own right.<\/p>\n

And what role the Upanishads play in understanding mind, soul and liberation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read the chapter<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"Trika<\/span><\/div>

Chapter 5<\/p>\n

The Tantras (\u0100gamas)<\/a><\/h3>\n

The nine schools of Tantra and their legacy: chakras, ku\u1e47\u1e0dalin\u012b, mudr\u0101s and pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma.<\/p>\n

How Abhinava Gupta brought the teachings of 64 \u0100gamas together into one monumental work, the Tantr\u0101loka.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read the chapter<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"Matsyendra<\/span><\/div>

Chapter 6<\/p>\n

Matsyendra and Gorak\u1e63a<\/a><\/h3>\n

How a fisherman in the belly of a fish became Matsyendra N\u0101tha \u2013 the Lord of the Fishes.<\/p>\n

The founding story of Hatha Yoga, and what Sanskrit scholarship really knows about it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Read the chapter<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Book:<\/span><\/div><\/div>

The book<\/p>\n

Discover the History of Yoga here too<\/h2>\n

A journey through the history of yoga is a journey to yourself.<\/p>\n

In this book<\/a> we also travel to the roots of Kundalini Yoga and yogic philosophy, discovering the secrets of the history, practice and mysticism of yoga.<\/p>\n

These profound practices, visions and insights will inspire and enrich any yoga practice.<\/p>\n

The Book on Yoga<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Knowledge<\/p>\n

Keep exploring<\/h2>\n

Yoga & Philosophy<\/a> The Chakras<\/a> Kriy\u0101s and Classes<\/a> Blog<\/a> Books<\/a> Downloads<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Contact<\/p>\n

Any questions? Just write to us!<\/h2>\n

+43 680 2455462<\/a>
home@yogamatsya.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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