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History of Yoga in India The scientific proof explains that Yoga started in India around 5000 B.C. It was mostly practiced by monks, sadhus or tantrics to master the five senses and gain control over mind to have a stable state of mind. These practices included asana, advanced pranayama and meditation practices. These practitioners are often referred as Yogis (yoga practitioner) who lived in a traditional Yoga ashram in India. Apart from physical practices these yogis also practiced strict and controlled diet, seclusion and ten other principles known as Yams and Niyams. The Yams are five codes which were needed to be brought in ones nature. The Niyams were five habits which were to be practiced everyday or to make a part of daily schedule in a yogic life. Ancient Indian Training system of Gurukula In India there has been an ancient system of schooling “Gurukula”. In this system the student who wished to grow and evolve was required to go and join the Yoga ashram or a school of a Yoga teacher or Guru. The student then lives with the teacher as a part of his family, contributing to the daily chores while following the lectures and teachings of the teacher with complete trust and faith. During this period the teacher tests and pushes the student through different means to help the student grow beyond his comfort zone and open his mind by losing ego. This system helps the teacher and student to build a trusting relation and enhances the exchange of information and teachings. The teacher teaches all four paths of yoga to expand the faculty of the students mind and let him see which path is best for his growth. The Yoga in India is more focused on evolving by mastering the senses and diminishing the ego through practice of asana, pranayama, yam, niyam and meditation by making this practice a way of life and being aware of it all the time. Modern Yoga Schools In these modern days especially in west Yoga is merely regarded as more of a quick fix tool for physical pain, flexibility and some degree of mental relaxation. The true purpose and meaning of Yoga has lost in the transition. For most of us practicing yoga means going once or twice to a yoga studio and working out for one to one and half hour. Though this helps us to relax a bit it does not shows the true benefit of yoga and its principles. Thus studying at a local Yoga school cannot give you the same depth of knowledge which can be learned and understood by following a good Yoga training in India. Studying Yoga in India It is a wise idea to learn Yoga in India where its roots begin. There are still some traditional Yoga ashrams teaching Classical Yoga and Vedic philosophies. Those who are serious about learning about taking yoga as career and become a yoga teacher with proper understanding of classical yoga can go to India and follow a classical Yoga teacher training in India at a traditional Yoga ashram. But one should take into account that the living standards and facilities at an ashram are very minimal and not comfort oriented. Modern facilities like internet, Wi-Fi, shiny private en-suite rooms etc are not part of the experience. Therefore one must be willing to give up luxury and take up yogic lifestyle at least for the period of the stay to understand and get accustomed to the traditional philosophy, rituals and practices. Thus a good yoga teacher training in India can be very helpful to expose one to Classical yoga and its different practices. About Author / Resource Yogi Ram is a Classical Yoga teacher for last 14 years and gives professional Yoga Teacher training in India to advanced Yoga students from throughout the world. He lives at Arhanta Yoga Ashram and has studied classical Yoga, Vedic philosophy, vedantic philosophy and lived a yogic life since childhood. Any questions on above topics or Classical Yoga can be addressed to yogi22005@hotmail.com
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