List Of The Names & History Of Yoga Positions

Yoga as we know it today is taught as a form of exercise with benefits extending from disease prevention to stress reduction. Learning the history of this ancient form of exercise and philosophy can help deepen your practice and provide a better understanding of yoga positions. "Light on Yoga" by B.K.S. Iyengar lists over 600 yoga poses and postures, each with its own benefit and detailed description. A simple overview of the practice and some basic positions may be a better starting place to deepen your yoga knowledge.

Ancient Yoga Text

The philosophical system of yoga is supposedly based on the teachings of an Indian philosopher by the name of Patanjali. Patanjali is thought to have compiled his text around third or fourth century B.C. even though yoga practice dates back further. The Yoga Sutra outlines the path of royal yoga and is composed of 195 sutras. These sutras are interconnected threads joined to form a complete philosophy.

Yoga History

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the first written records of yoga appear in the Vedas, sacred texts from India that date back 3,000 years. Yoga didn't develop as a practice until 500 B.C. The full practice of yoga extends beyond poses and postures as a complete way of life and provides its followers with spiritual enlightenment. There are eight dimensions of yoga; breathing, postures, restraint, healthy observances, sensory withdrawl, concentration, meditation, and higher consciousness. Swami Vivekanda brought yoga to the United States in the 1890s, but it didn't gain great popularity until 1960s.

Types of Yoga

As yogic sages explored mind and body connections through the practice of yoga, different branches of yoga emerged.

Bhakti yoga aims to take all the love in one's heart and aim it toward the divine. By seeking God in everything the person practicing Bhakti yoga is filled with respect for all life.

Jnana yoga focuses on deep reflection. Practitioners seek wisdom through meditation and aim to be one with God.

Karma yoga practitioners make decisions to practice random acts of kindness. The goal is to improve tomorrow's circumstances through action today.

Raja yoga is known in India as the road to reintegration. Raja yoga focuses on the mind and spirit through meditation.

Hatha yoga is the most common form practiced in the United States. The focus of Hatha yoga is on the asanas or yoga positions.

Sun Salutation

The best way to begin any type of exercise is with a warmup. The yoga warmup is the Sun Salutation, a series of 12 postures. Each of the postures is performed in a graceful flow, one after the other. The Sun Salutation builds strength, aids flexibility, and is a great way to start the day. The sequence of poses in the Sun Salutation is: Mountain pose, followed by arms overhead with palms together, forward bend, lunge, Plank pose, pushup position, Upward Facing Dog, Downward Facing Dog, lunge forward, forward bend, back bend, and back to Mountain pose.