Yoga History Flashcards
According to Ancient yogi Lore, who is the first yogi? (adiyogi)?
Shiva
What are the 7 Stages of Yogic History?
- Pre-Vedic Period (Before 3000 BC)
- Vedic Period (3000-800 BC)
- Pre-Classical Period (800BC-250BC)
- Classical Yoga (500BC-800AD)
- Post-Classical Yoga (800AD-1700AD)
- Modern Period (1863 onwards)
- Present days
Who is Agastya?
The Saptarishi (sage following Shiva) who travelled across the Indian subcontinent and crafted their culture around the core yogic way of life.
Who were the Saptarishis?
The “seven sages”, followers of Adiyogi (Shiva).
“Several THOUSAND years ago, on the banks of the lake KANTISAROVAR, Adiyogi poured his profound knowledge into the legendary Saptarishis”
In Yogic History, what is the name of the period prior to 3000BC?
Pre-Vedic Period
When did the Pre-Vedic Yogic period occur?
Before 3000BC
Pre-Vedic Period:
In which civilisation in Northern India do we think yoga originated?
Indus-Sarsvati Civilation
What is the significance of the Indus-Sarsvati Civilisation?
- This is believed to be where yoga began
- Located in Northern India
- Depictions of yoga poses were found in excavations at the Quetta, Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilisations
- BUT, no written records
When did the Vedic Period occur?
3000-800BC
What yogic period occurred from 3000-800BC?
The Vedic Period
What happened in the Vedic Period?
- Yoga was practiced under the direct guidance of a guru
- There was great spiritual emphasis
- Yoga and Pranayama practice was built into everyday ritutals
- These rituals were close to the definition of yoga: union of the individual self with the supreme self
True or False: In the Pre-Classical Period of yoga, yoga was mostly about breathing and postures.
False
In this period, yoga was more of a lifestyle than a breathing or posture-related practice
Which yoga period occurred between 800-250BC?
Pre-Classical Period
When did the Pre-Classical Period of yoga occur?
800-250BC
Which 3 important sacred texts come out of the Pre-Classical Period of yoga?
- Vedas
- Upanishads
- Bhagavad Gita
In which period of yoga did the vedas, upanishads and bhagavad gita originate?
Pre-Classical Period (800-250BC)
Who was allowed to read and translate the Vedas?
The Brahmans (Vedic Priests)
Where did the Brahmans document the refined and practiced yoga practices and beliefs that originated in the Vedas?
In the Upanishads
Roughly how many philosophical scriptures are in the Upanishads?
Over 200
What is one change the Brahmans made from the Vedas to the Upanishads?
Ritual Sacrifice -> Sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action and wisdom
Which is the most renowned yogic text (according to our notes)?
The Bhagavat Gita