Yoga

Origin and history

Yoga has its roots in India with at least 2,500 years of documented practice (and probably more). The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj ("to unite, to join, to yoke"), the same root as the Spanish "yugo" (yoke). The classical foundational text is the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali (probably 2nd century BC – 4th century AD), which codifies the eight limbs (ashtanga) of yoga: ethical observances (yamas), personal observances (niyamas), postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama), withdrawal of senses (pratyahara), concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana), absorption (samadhi).

Other classical foundational texts: the Bhagavad Gita (presents three classical paths of yoga — karma yoga of action, bhakti yoga of devotion, jnana yoga of knowledge), the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th century, codifies the physical-energetic system), the Upanishads with their philosophical reflections. Modern yoga (the one practised globally today) emerged in the 20th century with figures such as Krishnamacharya, B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois (founder of ashtanga vinyasa), Yogi Bhajan (kundalini yoga of the West), Swami Sivananda, who systematised and exported yoga to the West.

Main types of yoga

Hatha yoga: the basic, the most widespread; combines asanas, pranayama and meditation. Ashtanga vinyasa: dynamic, energetic flow series in 6 fixed sequences; very physically demanding. Iyengar yoga: precise alignment with use of supports (blocks, belts) — therapeutic. Vinyasa flow: more free flow, less rigid than ashtanga. Yin yoga: passive postures kept long minutes, works deep connective tissues, deeply relaxing. Restorative yoga: passive and supported postures for total restoration. Kundalini yoga: combines asanas, intense pranayama, mantra and meditation to awaken the kundalini energy.

Beyond physical yoga, the classical paths are: raja yoga (the royal yoga of meditation following the eight limbs of Patanjali), karma yoga (yoga of disinterested action — make work into spiritual practice), bhakti yoga (yoga of devotion to the divine — chant, prayer, sacred love), jnana yoga (yoga of knowledge — study of sacred texts, contemplative inquiry on reality), tantra yoga (esoteric yoga that integrates sexuality and worldly experience as spiritual paths).

Starting yoga

For starting: 1) a couple of weekly classes of hatha or vinyasa for beginners, with a teacher who corrects your alignment. 2) short daily home practice (15-20 minutes) of basic asanas. 3) include savasana (relaxation lying on back) at the end of each session — non-optional. 4) conscious breathing throughout the practice — that is what differentiates yoga from gymnastics. 5) patience: the body opens slowly; comparing yourself with experienced practitioners is futile and damaging. 6) over time, gradually integrate meditation. Yoga is a lifelong path — start where you are.