What is the history of Yoga?
- Michelle Rae Sobi
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Yoga is timeless, but here is a timeline.
History of Yoga
(Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library)
🌿 A Living, Evolving Tradition
Yoga is thousands of years old. While no one knows its exact origin story, we do know it has deep roots across many cultures, texts, and oral traditions. Recently, palm-leaf manuscripts with yoga teachings have been discovered, reminding us that yoga is an ever-evolving practice shaped by history, humanity, and heartfelt wisdom.
At Edge Yoga School, we honor all lineages, believing there is no single “right way.” A balanced class, clear alignment, and a trauma-informed respect for the student’s body remain central to safe practice. Much of what we see in Western yoga today is influenced by teachers such as B.K.S. Iyengar and the Krishnamacharya lineage. Sanskrit is the native language of yoga, and instructors may choose to teach in English, Sanskrit, or a combination, depending on the needs of their students.
📜 Pre-Classical Period
1500 – 500 BCE
The Vedas
The earliest known yogic teachings appear in the Vedas — ancient scriptures containing mantras, hymns, rituals, and spiritual philosophy. These texts served as the sacred foundation of Hinduism and introduced practices meant to support well-being of the individual and community.
The Upanishads
Also known as Vedanta (“the end of the Veda”), the Upanishads shifted the focus from ritual to inner spiritual exploration. Key teachings include:
Atman — the Self or Soul
Brahman — Ultimate Reality
Their interconnectednessThe Upanishads also introduced samsara, karma, dharma, and moksha.
The Mahabharata & The Bhagavad GitaThe Mahabharata includes the beloved Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna that expands on:
Jnana (Knowledge)
Bhakti (Devotion)
Karma (Selfless action)
📘 Classical Period
500 BCE – 800 CE
This era is considered one of the most influential in yogic history.
Patanjali’s Yoga SutrasPatanjali organized and codified the teachings of earlier eras into the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text of Raja Yoga. Patanjali also outlined the eight-limbed path:Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
🕉️ Post-Classical Period
800 – 1700 CE
Hatha YogaThe Hatha Yoga Pradipika (c. 1400s) compiled posture, breathwork, bandha, mudra, and cleansing practices designed to harmonize the body and prepare practitioners for deeper meditation.
Hatha philosophy emphasizes balancing the nadis (energy channels) and opening the chakras before progressing into subtle practices.
Tantra YogaTantra offered techniques designed to purify the mind and body, release internal blockages, and awaken deeper awareness.
🌎 Modern Period
1700 – 1900s to present
Yoga eventually traveled to the West, where it continued to grow and evolve.
Key milestones include:
1893 — Swami Vivekananda presents at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago
1920s — Paramahansa Yogananda arrives in the U.S.
1920–1930s — Krishnamacharya codifies asana sequences that influence modern yoga
1946 — Autobiography of a Yogi published
1948 — Pattabhi Jois formulates Ashtanga Yoga
1950s — Sivananda Yoga system established
1960s — Transcendental Meditation introduced
1966 — Integral Yoga Institute founded in New York
1970s–1990s — Development of Bikram, Jivamukti, Anusara, and other major styles
During this era, yoga shifted toward embracing presence, embodiment, and everyday life — inviting practitioners to meet reality as it arises and cultivate awareness in the modern world.
📘 Educational Note
This information is for education purposes only and always seek your medical team for physical and emotional support.
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