The origin and history of yoga
The origin and history of yoga can be traced back to the ancient Indian civilization around 5000 BC. The practice of yoga was initially closely related to Indian philosophy and culture, and was considered a sacred practice aimed at helping people achieve physical and mental balance and inner harmony. The early literature on yoga can be traced back to the Vedic literature before 3000 BC. The practical methods and objectives of yoga have changed in different eras and regions, but its core values have remained unchanged.
Around 300 BC, the great sage of India, Patanjali, created the Yoga Sutras, which is one of the most important documents in the history of yoga development. It endowed all theories and knowledge of yoga, and in this work, yoga formed a complete system for the first time. Patangali is revered as the ancestor of Indian yoga. There are various forms of yoga practice, including Astanga yoga, Hada yoga, health yoga, flow yoga, and so on. These different forms of yoga practice emphasize different focuses and methods, but they all emphasize the unity and balance of the body and mind, as well as achieving this balance through deep breathing and meditation.
The spread of yoga in India has also been recognized in various fields, including philosophy, medicine, literature, and so on. In the Middle Ages of India, yoga gradually spread westward to the Arab and Persian regions. However, the true spread of yoga in the West began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and due to India's colonization and Western interest in Eastern culture, yoga gradually spread globally.
On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly announced June 21 as International Yoga Day, and the first June 21 International Yoga Day was held in 2015.
