Kemetic yoga dates back 10,000 years as a practice in ancient Egypt, which was then known as Kemet. The word "yoga" is Sanskrit, meaning to yoke or bind, and is of Indian origin. Kemetic yoga is similar to the popular forms of yoga practiced today, but there are significant differences in the history and focus.
History
Ancient Egyptian artwork and spiritual writings that show people in different positions are thought to be instructions in how to perform Kemetic yoga. Although originating back from ancient Egypt, the current incarnation of Kemetic yoga resurfaced in the 1980s and it was these figures that taught current teachers about Kemetic yoga practice. Yogis studied ancient artifacts from Egypt, and through mimicking the poses they saw, created sequences based on old practices, according to a 1997 article in "Yoga Journal" titled "Egyptian Yoga."
Purpose
The main purpose of Kemetic yoga is not to increase flexibility, tone the body or burn calories but to attain "smai tawi." Smai tawi means the "union of two lands" and refers to the merging of an individual's lower self and higher self. The philosophical idea of a lower, animalistic self and a higher, more enlightened self is not a concept unique to Kemetic yoga, even though the term smai tawi is original. Another way to look at smai tawi is the act of dissolving a person's temporal nature into the transcendent reality or bringing your individual consciousness to connect with universal or divine consciousness.
Religion
Kemetic yoga has a connection with Egyptian gods and goddesses called Neteru. People do not have to believe in the Neteru to practice Kemetic yoga, but an understanding of the gods and goddesses give practitioners the tools to better understand aspects of themselves. The Egyptian gods and goddesses represent cosmic forces that through yogic practice and meditation can assist people to reach higher states of consciousness through insights given by the Neteru. These insights come during meditation.
Poses
Kemetic yoga shares many of the same poses with Hatha yoga, such as tree, lotus, cobra and bridge. The importance of the poses is secondary to breathing and meditation. Breath control is the top aim of Kemetic yoga practice. Practitioners move through the poses while breathing, using the movements as extensions of the breath work. Breathing with the poses raises energy and circulates it through the body.
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