Yoga began in India, and was first recorded in the Vedas (seen at right), the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The Vedas were written sometime between 1500 and 1000 B.C.E. With such a long history, it is not surprising to find that there are many types of yoga. Yoga can be an entire lifestyle, as in the Ashtanga, or “Eight Limbed,” Yoga. Each limb describes a way of correct yoga living and practice, such as non-violence, contemplation and purity. Ashtanga yoga focuses on meditation and seated yoga poses.
Most yoga practiced in America and the rest of the Western world was derived from Hatha yoga, which had its start in 15th-century India. Hatha yoga practice was recorded by Yogi (a title for someone devoted to the practice of yoga) Swatmarama. Hatha yoga uses full body movement, as opposed to the seated position of Aahtanga yoga, because Hatha yoga sees physical purification as a way to mental purification. This most easily fits with our modern concept of yoga as physical exercise.
Yoga continues to evolve. Seated or chair yoga modifies poses for those with physical limitations. Prenatal yoga allows women to practice yoga safely through pregnancy.
Bikram yoga, or hot yoga, is practiced in a temperature-controlled room kept at 150 degree with 40 percent humidity. What kind of yoga is right for you? It takes a little exploration to find out.
Meg's Yoga Guide
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Yoga Poses for Beginners
Yoga Breath
Meditation
