Honoring the Origin of Yoga: Roots, Practice, and Purpose

Somewhere in a quiet Himalayan village, where the mist clings to mountaintops and gentle rivers wind through the lush land, a yogi rises before dawn. With reverence and intention, he begins his yoga practice—not for fitness, but as a path to self-realization and personal fulfillment. The origin of yoga isn’t found in a studio or an online class streaming to your favorite device, it’s woven into thousands of years of spiritual seeking, discipline, and a deep connection to the natural world. 

Today, yoga has become a global movement. It’s an essential part of wellness routines and a path to finding calmness in our busy lives. But at its heart, yoga is a sacred gift from ancient India. To truly experience its power, we must return to its roots with curiosity, reverence, and care. 

Contents

• What Is Yoga?
• Where Is the Origin of Yoga?
• What Is the Origin of the Word “Yoga”?
• Who Invented Yoga?
• A Brief History of Yoga
• The Traditional Importance of Yoga
• Why Was Yoga Created?
• Is Yoga a Religion?
• Did Yoga Come from Hinduism or Buddhism?
• Is Yoga a Spiritual Practice?
• How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation in Yoga
• Native Herbs from Yoga’s Birthplace

What Is Yoga 

Yoga is an ancient practice that combines physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines to promote a harmonious connection between the mind and body. It’s more than just physical postures, although the asanas are what many people first encounter. 

In its original Sanskrit, yoga comes from the root “yuj,” meaning “union.” It’s the joining of the mind, body, and spirit with universal consciousness. Think of it as a holistic system for living with integrity, purpose, and inner peace. 

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

The foundation of yoga is outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, where we find the Eight Limbs of Yoga, a roadmap of sorts for the spiritual seeker. The path is called ashtanga, which means “eight limbs.” These eight pathways contain guidelines on how to live a meaningful life, directing attention to the health and spiritual aspects of living. 

1. Yama: Moral restraints – nonviolence, truthfulness, nonstealing, moderation, non-coveting.
2. Niyama: Self-discipline and personal observances – cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-study, surrender.
3. Asana: Physical postures. The physical postures that enable one to practice meditation.
4. Pranayama: Breath control. Regulate inhalations, exhalations, and breath retention to center the body and prepare for meditation. 
5. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses or “turning inward.” This can be considered a mindfulness practice.
6. Dharana: Focused concentration. A type of meditation practice where all attention is focused on a single point, such as the navel or an image in the mind. 
7. Dhyana: Meditation. An uninterrupted flow of concentration with a quiet mind and stillness.
8. Samadhi: The ultimate absorption or liberation. This might be described as transcendence. 

Practiced together, these Eight Limbs of Yoga are a sacred system, not merely a good workout, but a way of being that can guide your throughout your life.

Where Is the Origin of Yoga?

Yoga originates from ancient India, with its earliest expressions traced to the Indus Valley Civilization around 3300-1300 BCE. Archaeologists discovered seals and artifacts depicting meditative postures, suggesting that the roots of yogic practice stretch back over 5000 years. 

India is not only yoga’s birthplace, but it also remains its spiritual homeland, where traditional practices are still honored in temples, ashrams, and villages, carried on by gurus and Vedic traditions.  

What Is the Origin of the Word “Yoga”?

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root “yuj”, which means “to yoke.” It signifies the act of joining or uniting; similar to yoking oxen together to pull a plow. Traditionally, this referred to the yoking of the individual soul (atman) with the universal soul (brahman). It implies harmony, integration, and a dissolution of the separation between self and spirit. 

Who Invented Yoga?

Yoga has no single founder. Rather, it is a living tradition, passed down orally and experientially through generations. From the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (2700 BCE) to the Vedas (1500-500 BCE), where the word “yoga” first appeared in the Rigveda, to the Upanishads (800-200 BCE), many texts have explored the concepts of yoga-like practices, including meditation and breath control. 

That said, Sage Patanjali, a prominent sage in ancient India, is credited with systematizing and organizing yogic traditions into the Yoga Sutras, written around 200 BCE. This text distilled centuries of wisdom into a coherent guide, making it easier to understand and practice. 

A Brief History of Yoga

With yoga’s widespread roots touching multiple civilizations, it may be difficult to understand its history. The following brief history may help simplify this ancient practice and how it evolved throughout the years: 

• Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (2700 BCE): Archaeological findings depict figures in yogic postures. 
• Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE): Yoga emerged through ritual and mantra as a spiritual tool for transcendence. 
• Upanishadic Period (800-200 BCE): Inner practices such as meditation, detachment, and self-inquiry began to take shape.
• Classical Period (200 BCE): Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras codify yoga into the Eight Limbs.
• Post-Classical Period: Hatha Yoga arises, emphasizing the body as a vehicle for enlightenment.
• Modern Era: Visionaries like Krishnamacharya, Swami Vivekananda, and Paramahansa Yogananda bring yoga to the West, where it continues to evolve. 

The Traditional Importance of Yoga

While modern yoga practitioners may consider the practice to be more physical than spiritual, yoga was never just about the body. In its original form, yoga was a sacred path to self-realization. It was a way to experience the divine union and freedom from suffering. 

The guru-shishya tradition (teacher-student relationship) was central to learning, with teachings passed through lineage, not certification. Practitioners lived disciplined lives of study, silence, service, and surrender. Yoga was, and still is, a practice of transformation.

Why Was Yoga Created?

Yoga was created primarily as a spiritual practice to guide the practitioner as they unite the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. Its purpose is to help transcend the ego, illusion, and suffering, and to awaken to our true nature as divine beings. 

Yoga attempts to answer the most profound of human questions: Who am I? Through discipline, breath, meditation, and movement, yoga offers a path to inner liberation—not just relaxation, but revelation. 

Is Yoga a Religion?

Yoga is not a religion, though some find it to be deeply spiritual. It offers a system of practice that transcends established precepts. You can be of any faith, or none at all, and still benefit from its teachings. 

That said, yoga is rooted in Indian spiritual systems, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. Understanding these roots helps us appreciate yoga’s depth and original intent—not as exercise, but as an embodied spiritual path. 

Did Yoga Come from Hinduism or Buddhism?

Yoga predates formal religious structures, but its philosophical foundations are Vedic—the same wellspring from which Hinduism arose. Over time, Buddhist traditions integrated yogic practices, especially meditation and ethical conduct. Rather than belonging to one religion, yoga reflects a shared spiritual heritage.

Is Yoga a Spiritual Practice?

Yes, yoga is often considered a spiritual practice. It is a journey inward—toward presence, purpose, and connection. Whether through breathwork, meditation, or mindful movement, yoga nurtures the spiritual dimension of life. It invites the practitioner to listen, to surrender, and to remember innate wholeness. 

How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation in Yoga

With yoga’s popularity in the West, it’s important to approach the practice with reverence and respect. You can do this by:

• Learning about the history and philosophy of yoga.
• Using Sanskrit terms with understanding, not just aesthetics.
• Giving credit to Indian teachers and lineages.
• Avoiding practices that strip yoga of its spiritual depth.
• Being mindful of symbols, like Om or deities, and their sacred meaning.

For more guidance, consider exploring resources by teachers who focus on appreciating and honoring yoga’s roots. Understanding and cherishing yoga and its teachings will provide more depth and meaning to your practice. 

Native Herbs from Yoga’s Birthplace

To fully honor the origin of yoga, we can also look to the land from which it emerged. India is home to sacred herbs that have long been used to support spiritual and physical well-being: 

• Tulsi (Holy Basil): A revered adaptogen that calms the mind, supports the lungs, and promotes clarity during meditation.
• Ashwagandha: Known for reducing stress and boosting vitality—perfect for balancing the nervous system in a modern yoga practice.
• Brahmi: A powerful brain tonic that supports memory and concentration, ideal for deepening meditation.
• Turmeric: Naturally soothes the body after intense practice. Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect the body from oxidative stress. 

These herbs not only complement a mindful yoga practice, but they also offer a tangible connection to the soil, traditions, and healing spirit of India.

Returning to the Heart of Yoga

In a world craving calm and connection, yoga offers an ancient path that is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. Honoring the origin of yoga is about more than history. It’s about returning to the heart of the practice with integrity, humility, and gratitude. 

As you unroll your mat and move through your breath and body, remember: Yoga is not just something to do; it is something you live. And when approached with reverence, honoring yoga’s revered history, it can become a lifelong path of healing, unity, and sacred connection.

Let your practice be a tribute to the wisdom of the sages and the soil of the land where yoga was born. 

Namaste.