A brief introduction to Yoga History, Where it comes, What is it, Why we need it, How we do it. A tribute to International Yoga Day 21 June 2018.

1. 1
NOW YOGA
A study on
Where – Why - What – How?
by Krishna Kumar
Yoga instructor Certified – S-VYASA, Bangalore
Some materials from web are copied here for just educational purpose only.
Thanks to all for those postings – great service to humanity!
Dedicate this presentation to International YOGA DAY – June 21st 2018

2. 2
Story of Alexander the Great!
The great Macedonian king, Alexander the Great, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home,
on the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, he realized how
his conquests, his great army, and all his wealth were of no consequence. And his last three wishes were:
 “The first, he said I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to
carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and
cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.”
 “The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell People that not
even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me.
Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.”
 “And third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came
empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world.”
http://www.speakbindas.com/an-inspirational-story-of-alexander-the-great-as-his-last-words/
There are several stories related to his death and last words; one is here (not sure the authenticity!)

3. 3
Don’t know where you are standing – but generally:
If you like your life the way it is……
The way you feel it is going to be better …..
The following makes you feel better – Money, Houses, Stocks, Cloths, Food, Chemical substances,
Parties, Family, friends, Society, jobs, career, Name, Fame, Positions, Recognition, and so on……..
 Then Chase it ………Go for it!
Most of the people that “something missing feeling” comes at Death Bed like Alexander had;
But that is the end of the story! Nothing much you can do that time………..
But, if you feel “now” that “something missing”
Then……………
Now Yoga Continue…….

4. 4
Now Yoga…(for advanced practitioners)
 This presentation contains materials which may not suite some peoples belief system.
 Please treat this as a study material (just exploration) and don’t read too much in to it.
Patanjali
starts
‘YogaSutra’
by
“Now Yoga”

5. 5

6. 6
10000 – 5000 BC.
Indus Valley Civilization, Hindu Civilization, Hindu Culture ……

7. 7
Crimes
Gold
Cattles
Prosperity
Agriculture
Bottom line - something was missing & to find that….
Diseases
Flood/Fire
Brutal wars between Persian & Indian emperors
Asuras  Devas
Intellectual quest
begins… Several debates happens back-and-forth
And Finally what they found was …………………..

8. 8
Yoga
What that mean for you…….?
The word “yoga” essentially means, “that which brings you to reality”.
Literally, it means “union.” Union of Body-mind-Soul together towards reality!

9. 9What that mean for you…….?

10. 10
real meaning of life …..
HappinessMaximum So they went after Alcohol, Drugs, Lust, Gold, etc.
for
TimeMaximum So they went after health, family, education, jobs, etc.
for
PeopleMaximum So they went after Society, country, culture, peace, etc.

11. 11
They put together everything called “VEDA”
The beginning of Hindu Culture(some called it as Hindu religion or Sanadana Dharma)
There are 6 school of thoughts in it:
1. Sankhya by Kapila Muni
2. Nyaya by Gautama Maharshi
3. Viseshika by Kanna Muni
4. Poorva Mimamsa by Jamini Maharshi
5. Vedanta by Veda Vyasa (who wrote Bhagavath Gita)
1. Advaitha(Monoism) by Sankaracharya - First Jagad Guru
2. Vishitadvaitha(Qualified Monoism) by Ramanujacharya
3. Dwaitha(Dualism) by Madhavacharya
4. BedaAbedha(Monoism) by Nimbarkacharya
5. Suvisheshadvaitha(Specilized Monoism) by Vallabhacharya
6. Yoga by Patanjali
The first four are not predominant and 5 & 6 are together called today’s Hinduism.
Almost all Hindus belong to this 5&6 group together today.

12. 12
What Patanjali did was created a unique technique to achieve the ultimate goal..…
(maximum happiness for maximum time for maximum people)
1. Karma Yoga – Do your work sincerely, don’t do it for any gain!
2. Bhakti Yoga – Be humble! Surrender to higher being(GOD)!
3. Jnana Yoga – Intellectual quest (negation and enquiry)!!
Above three techniques were available as part of VEDA, other
5 schools of philosophy……
But No systematic way of reaching that highest level…..
Also the Success was no measurable……
So there was a need for some system……..
And so Patanjali put together all in order…………So…..
4. Raja Yoga (Patanjali Yoga) – Scientific/Mystical techniques…

13. 13
DISCLAIMER
‘Yoga techniques as per se is not religious’
though it started from certain culture…..
For example:
Isaac Newton invented “Gravity” - does not mean ‘Gravity’ is Jews.
So do ‘Electricity’ or ‘Steam Engine’ is not Christian!

14. 14

15. 15
Interesting Concepts but difficult to explain….
(we do not discuss anything here today - And of source I don’t know either )
Read Kathopanishad, Even Lord of Death says he cant explain some of these, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katha_Upanishad
• God – undefined?
• Mind - manas
• Ego - individuality
• Bhudhi – intellect
• Soul – every human has?
• Consciences – Soul?
• Brahma – energy?
• Atman - Souls
• Incarnations - Rebirth
• Samadhi / Nirvana / Kaivalya
• Karma carry forward
• Worship & Devotion
• Punya – Papa (Virtue & Vice)
• Sukha – Dukha (Joy & Sorrow)
• Morality & Ethics
• God & Goddesses
• Asura – Deva - Civilization
• Swarg- Pathal (Heaven – Hell)
• Religion, Culture, Society
• Sages(Saints) of India
• Eastern – Western Philosophy

16. 16
maximum happiness for maximum time for maximum people!
Basic Instinct - Sleep, Food Lazy Animal
Basic Instinct - Pleasure Joyful Animal
Basic Instinct – Freedom/Fear Powerful Animal
Compassion, Love, togetherness Human Being
Purity/Clarity in thinking Super Human…
Control of senses and Life! God Man…
The ultimate state …………………… GOD…
Y
O
G
A
Takes
You
To
That
Highest
Level
Possible!
Be
Here

Majority
People
Are
Here
 
This
Part
Is
For
Few
People
!!!!!!!!

17. 17
Why we need Yoga and Why we need now specifically?

18. 18
AdiYogi – Shiva (BC 10000+ no one knows exact time…)
All Yoga emerges from him….
• The great privilege of learning Yoga for the first time from the Adiyogi was given to
Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, as she was enquiring the whole purpose of creation!
Yoga was Shiva’s internal journey of transforming into a permanent state of ecstasy……
• The Yoga systems view Lord Shiva as the Adiyogi (the first Yogi) and Adiguru (the first
teacher). Lord Shiva is the foremost one among the Yogis and also the first one who taught
and propagated the Yoga science.
• Eventually, Lord Shiva chose the Sapta Rishis (the seven sages) to learn Yoga from him and
spread it all over the globe. On Shiva’s instructions, these rishis then moved on to the
various parts of the globe to spread the message of Yoga.
• https://rgyan.com/blogs/origin-of-yoga-lord-shiva-taught-yoga-to-parvati-for-the-first-
time-after-marriage/
1

19. 19
“Yoga Sutra” by Patanjali
BC 500 around….
• Most Authentic Book on Yoga (All yoga’s are based on this today)
• The first Chapter – The first Line says “ Now Yoga” – equivalent Sanskrit word
“अथ योगानुशासनम्”
• The second line says - “ Control of mental modifications is Yoga” योग: चित्त-
वृत्त्त ननरोध:
There are four chapters in it:
1) Samadhi Pada – What is it and why is it!
2) Sadhana Pada – The practices you can do!
3) Vibhudhi Pada – The power you get it!
4) Kaivalya Pada – The ultimate state you reach!
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali
In our discussion we use only Chapter 2 – The practices; the rest are for advanced users!
2b

20. 20
“Hatha Yoga Pradipika” by Svatmarama
AD 10th - 15th Century around..
• Most common Yoga practices performed today are from this book and it
is called “Hatha Yoga”. For the popular yoga that explains and emphasizes
the physical practices or disciplines, this book is the basis.
• Legend: Associated with Nath Yogis. Matsyendranath (BC or AD?) is
considered the founder of Hatha Yoga. Legend says when Shiva was
imparting the secrets of Yoga to Parvathi, Matsyendranath overheard
everything and finally becomes a Yogi.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatha_Yoga_Pradipika
3

21. 21
YOGA made Popular… By Swami Vivekananda
“"In America is the place, the people, the opportunity for everything new," wrote
Swami Vivekananda before he left India in 1893.”
 In 1920 Paramahansa Yogananda came to address a conference of religious liberals in Boston.
 Richard Hittleman, a student of the sage Ramana Maharshi and very much a "spiritual" yogi, he
presented a nonreligious yoga for the American mainstream, with an emphasis on its physical benefits.
 In 1958, Indian-born Swami Vishnu-devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda Saraswati, arrived in San
Francisco, sponsored by the artist Peter Max. His 1960 book, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga,
became an essential guidebook for many practitioners.
 In 1966 B.K.S. Iyengar's Light on Yoga was published in the United States, a book that is still considered
to be the Bible of serious asana practice.
 And so on……………… Yoga is now everywhere in America!!!!
 How Yoga Came to America - https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/yogas-trip-america
 YOGA in AMERICAThe First 100 Years - https://www.beezone.com/YogainAmerica/yoga_in_america.html
 How Yoga Won the West (Swami Vivekanada) - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/02/opinion/sunday/how-yoga-won-the-west.html
4

22. 22
International YOGA Day – 21st June
Initiated by Prime Minister of India, Mr. Modi
Wikipedia:
International Day of Yoga (Hindi: अंतर्राष्ट्रीय योग दिवस: Antarāshtriya Yog
Divas; IAST: Antarāṣṭrīya Yog Divas), or commonly and unofficially referred to
as Yoga Day, is celebrated annually on 21 June since its inception in 2015. An
international day for yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA).[1] Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice attributed
mostly to India. The Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi in his UN address
suggested the date of 21 June, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern
Hemisphere and shares special significance in many parts of the worldNow everyone
talks about Yoga
5

23. 23
$80 Billion Industry in worldwide, India has small $1 Billion Pie - Year 2017
Why we need Yoga and Why we need now specifically?

24. 24

25. 25
Raja Yoga (Patanjali Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga)
Yama – Don’t Do it!
 No Violence, No Lying, No Stealing, No greedy/acceptance, Not seeking pleasure1
Niyama – Do it!
 Cleanliness, Contentment, Austerity, Scripture study, Surrender to God(Humbleness)
Asana – Postures for Health Benefits!
 Various postures to strengthen the body – this is the only instrument you have to work with
Pranayama – Breathing Techniques and beyond!
 Breathing techniques to regulate the flow of Prana in the body; Prana is more than breath!
Pratyahara – disspation!
 Viragya – Dispassion of all material substance which does not bring any lasting happiness!
Dharana – Concentration to an Object!
 Single pointed focus on some object which helps brain/mind not to deviate to natural way!
Dhyana – Meditation - Get away with random thoughts!
 Complete void, Not associated with any obejct/circumstances. Not thinking anything !!!!!!!
Samadhi – Absolute Emptiness in the mind/brain!
 No prejudice – No thoughts – all looks void – here comes the beginning of reality – Yoga!!!!
Samadhi and beyond lots of things are there, towards Kaivalya……………………………………………..
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Yoga_(book)

26. 26
Lazy Animal
Joyful Animal
Powerful Animal
Human Being
Super Human…
God Man…
GOD…
Y
O
G
A
Takes
You
To
That
Highe
st
Level
Possi
ble!Kundalini Yoga / Raja Yoga

27. 27

28. 28
# Yoga is not just a physical exercise – that is small part of it!
Yoga Talk about “Worthiness of Person” - Need to take care 4 “B”s more!
1) # Being - have a sense of inner peace and self-acceptance, and at ease. Peace with you!
2) # Belongings - are members of at least one group or community that is important to them, where
they feel liked and appreciated, and they reciprocate those feelings. All part of same world!
3) # Benevolence - how kind or the positive effects we have had on others. You & others are one!
4) # Believing - guiding values and ethics of behavior into spiritual realm or philosophy, where our
lives are more meaningful in times of joy as well as pain. Be a Witness to all!
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/our-emotional-footprint/201603/what-makes-worthy-person-the-four-bs
and much more in to spiritual realm……

29. 29

30. 30
Got confused …………… stop thinking, go back to basic….
Please see my other Presentation(slide deck)
“YOGA - For Confused IT Engineer”
And do 15 minutes/Day Yoga exercise as mentioned in it 

31. 31