History of Yoga

Question 1

What are the six periods of yoga history?

Answer 1

1. Pre-Vedic Yoga
2. Vedic Yoga
3. Pre-classical Yoga
4. Classical Yoga
5. Post-classical Yoga
6. Modern or Contemporary Yoga

Question 2

What is a Veda?

Answer 2

The Vedas (/ˈveɪdəz, ˈviː-/;[4] Sanskrit: वेदः vedaḥ, “knowledge”) are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India.

Question 3

What is the importance of Rig Veda in Pre-Vedic Yoga?

Answer 3

The first use of the root of word “yoga” is in hymn
of the Rig Veda, a dedication to rising Sun-god
in the morning (Savitri), where it has been interpreted
as “yoke” or “yogically control”.

Question 4

Describe the four Vedas.

Answer 4

1. Rig Veda (Sacred Hymns of Divinity)
2. Yajur Veda (Knowledge of Sacrifice)
3. Sama Veda (Knowledge of Chants)
4. Atharva Veda (Code for Everyday Life)

Question 5

What is an Upanishad and how many are there?

Answer 5

From Vedas, the texts are written in a passionate poetic verse describing mystical states and spiritual concepts or in descriptive short stories and dialogues between historical figures.

108 upanishads total
10 principle

Question 6

What are the four parts of every Veda?

Answer 6

1. Brahmana
2. Samhitas
3. Aranyaka
4. Upanishads

Question 7

The five Yamas of Patanjali Yoga Sutra to be followed by yoga practitioners:

Answer 7

1. Ahimsa (non-harming or non-violence in thought, word and deed)
2. Satya (truthfulness)
3. Asteya (non-stealing)
4. Brahmacharya (celibacy or ‘right use of energy’)
5. Aparigraha (non-greed or non-hoarding)

Question 8

Define “yama” and how many practices are there?

Answer 8

Codes of restraint, self-regulations. There are five.

Question 9

Define the principle “niyama” and how many practices are there?

Answer 9

Observances or practices of self-training. There are five.

Question 10

The five Niyamas of yoga practitioners:

Answer 10

1. Shaucha = Purity of body and mind
2. Santosha = Contentment
3. Tapah = Training the senses, austerities
4. Svadhyaya = Self-Study,
5. Ishvara Pranidhana :
   
   5. a. shvara = Creative source, causal field, God, supreme Guru or teacher
   6. b. Pranidhana = Dedication, devotion, surrender to the fruits of practice

Question 11

What is the only way to succeed as yoga practitioner?

Answer 11

Practice alone is the means to success.