Yoga is a popular form of exercise, stress relief and meditation the world-over but how much does ‘modern yoga’ owe to its traditional roots? Read on to discover how ‘modern yoga’ came about and find out why it’s important to honour its foundation.
A Brief History of the Origins of Yoga
Classical hatha yoga dates back to at least the 11th century, with scholars tracing some yogic practices back as far as 1BC. Focused on using physical movement to channel energy, we can see the essence of this traditional form in yoga in today’s practice.
Commonly associated with Hinduism and Buddhism, hathayogic writing is found in Nāth and Śākta texts, with a great many belonging to the Nāth siddhas. One of the most influential texts is the Haṭhayogapradīpikā, dating from the 15th century, which includes information that is easily recognisable in ‘modern yoga’. By this we mean as asanas, pranayama, meditation and breath retention, in addition to self-purification, kundalini and internalised energetic practices.
‘Modern Yoga’
From the 15th century onwards, yoga continued to evolve, and various branches were developed. As yoga spread worldwide, it took the form of exercise, rather than devotional practice. In the early 20th century, Swami Kuvalayananda and his student Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, incorporated gymnastics with classical yoga to create the ‘modern yoga’ we recognise today. Eschewing most of the religious aspects of traditional yoga and focusing more on the physicality of yoga and the flow between poses, Kuvalayananda and Krishnamacharya introduced yoga as exercise and their impact remains present throughout current practices.
Yoga for Wellness
Ask any yogi if yoga promotes wellness and their answer will undoubtedly be, ‘Yes!’. Sure, there have been numerous scientific studies that have confirmed yoga’s positive impact on well-being but you only need to attend a class for yourself to feel the benefits.
Yoga is strongly associated with physical benefits but it has a positive impact on your emotional wellbeing too, which is why it is such a beneficial, well-rounded form of exercise. From reducing your blood pressure, eliminating anxiety and lowering stress levels to improving sleep quality, increasing flexibility, boosting circulation, promoting mindfulness and enhancing posture, there are a variety of ways that yoga can contribute to a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Respectful, Modern Yoga at Goji London
As yoga has evolved and spread throughout the world, it has moved away from its origins and developed into new forms. What was once a highly spiritual, religious practice, it is now a form of physical and emotional exercise. For some, this application of yoga has echoes of cultural appropriation, particularly when religious symbols are incorrectly used or displayed.
At Goji London, we strive to practice respectful, modern yoga that embodies the central components of the practice and invites class members to practice their own form of spirituality, in their own way. By respecting the origins of yoga and understanding its global development, we can pay homage to the proponents, scholars and yogis that came before us, thank them for their work and continue sharing the many beneficial elements of yoga that promote peace, tranquillity, wellness and harmony.
Book a Modern Yoga Class at Goji London Today
If you want to find out more about modern yoga or you’d like to experience the benefits yourself, why not book a spot at one of our classes? Take a look at our class schedule and you’ll find a variety of yoga classes available every day of the week, and there really is something for everyone! Whether you’re an experienced yogi or a complete beginner, you can be sure of a warm welcome when you step into the Goji studio.
