Yoga is more than mastering postures and increasing your flexibility and strength. In Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism the word yoga means “spiritual discipline”.

People often associate yoga with the postures and stances that make up the physical activity of the exercise, but after closer inspection it becomes clear that there are many more aspects of yoga. It is an activity that has been practised for thousands of years, and it is something that has evolved and changed overtime. Different factions of yoga have developed since its conception.

The exact history and origins of yoga is uncertain; however, there are pieces that have been connected and allow us to make some conclusions. It is known that yoga originated from the East. The earliest signs of yoga appear in ancient Shamanism. Evidence of yoga postures were found on artefacts that date back to 3000 B.C. Evidence of yoga is found in the oldest-existing text, Rig-Veda. Rig-Veda is a composition of hymns. Topics of the Rig-Veda include prayer, divine harmony, and greater being.

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Modern Yoga

Modern yoga is based on five basic principles that were created by Swami Sivananda.

• Proper relaxation

• Proper exercise

• Proper breathing

• Proper diet

• Positive thinkin​g