Ancient Roots of Yoga

Question 1

Which 3 ancient religion do the roots of yoga derive from?

Answer 1

Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism

Question 2

Where do the earliest known texts on yoga come from?

Answer 2

The Vedas

Question 3

What does the word ‘Vedas’ mean?

Answer 3

Knowledge

Question 4

What is the sanskrit meaning of the word ‘yoga’?

Answer 4

To make one

Question 5

According to the text, when were the Vedas estimated to have been written?

Answer 5

1700-1100 BCE

Question 6

What was the primary tool used to achieve a state of oneness and consciousness according to the Veda texts?

Answer 6

Meditation

Question 7

What was the primary form of meditation in the Vedas?

Answer 7

Mantra Meditation

Question 8

The Upanishads held forth the belief in what two Hindu religious philosophies?

Answer 8

Universal spirit (Brahman) and individual soul (Atman)

Question 9

What does the word ‘Upanishad’ mean?

Answer 9

Sitting down beside

Question 10

The Bhagavad Gita is also called the ___________________

Answer 10

Song of God

Question 11

What are the three yogic paths according to the Bhagavad Gita?

Answer 11

Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga

Question 12

What is karma yoga?

Answer 12

Yoga of Service

Question 13

What are the activities of Bhakti yoga ?

Answer 13

Offering prayer, chanting God’s names and meditation on God

Question 14

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - what does he explain is the meaning of yoga?

Answer 14

To calm the fluctuations of the mind

Question 15

According to the text, what is the definition of Samadhi in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali?
A blissful state in which one is absorbed with the divine

Answer 15

A blissful state in which one is absorbed with the divine

Question 16

Which of the Yamas philosophies describes creating a safe space for students to learn and practice?

Answer 16

Ahimsa (non-hurting)

Question 17

Which of the following Yamas means to be honest with ourselves and others?

Answer 17

Satya

Question 18

Which of the Yamas applies to helping students achieve an attitude of patience and ease in their yoga practice?

Answer 18

Aparigraha (free of desire)

Question 19

How many Niyama philosophies are there in the Yoga Sutras?

Answer 19

5

Saucha, Santosa, Tapas, Savadhyaya and Ishvarapranidhana

Question 20

Which of the five Niyamas focus on treating your body as a temple?

Answer 20

Saucha

Question 21

Grounded in a sense of being greater than our individual selves describes which of the following Niyamas?

Answer 21

Ishvarapranidhana

Question 22

Which activities describes the Niyama, Svadhyaya - self-study?

Answer 22

Pausing from time to time to ask questions about your teaching, continuing to deepen your yoga knowledge, reading books on spirituality and yoga philosophy.

Question 23

What is the literal translation of the sanskrit word ‘asana’?

Answer 23

To take one seat

Question 24

When we observe the flow of the breath in and out of the body - this is called what?

Answer 24

Pranayama

Question 25

True or false Tantra is the idea that the universe is an expression of the divine and can be tapped into as a source of divine consciousness.

Answer 25

True