What is Yoga?

In this video, we dive deep into the fascinating story of Yoga, from its complex inception in the religious, spiritual and philosophical landscape of India all the way to the western world today, where it has become more popular than ever.

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Music by:
Filip Holm
Banaras Baba & Kolkata Kid
Pawan Krishna
Palace on Wheels

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Bharati, Agehananda (1965). "The Tantric Tradition". B.I. Publications.

Bhattacharyya, N.N. (2005). "History of the Tantric Religion". Second Revised Edition. Manohar.

Bryant, Edwin F. (translated by) (2009). "The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali: A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary ". North Point Press.

Ernst, Carl W. (1996). "Sufism and Yoga according to Muhammad Ghawth". University of North Carolina.

Mallinson, James & Mark Singleton (2017). "Roots of Yoga". Penguin Classics.

Olivelle, Patrick (translated by) (2008). "Upanisads". Oxford University Press.

Samuel, Geoffrey (2008). "The Origins of Yoga and Tantra: Indic Religions to the Thirteenth Century". Cambridge University Press.

Wallis, Christopher D. (2013). "Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History and Practice of a Timeless Tradition". Mattamayura.

White, David Gordon (2000). "Tantra in Practice". Princeton University Press.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:43 Earliest mentions of Yoga
5:30 Early Asceticism & The Shramana movement
9:39 Bhagavad Gita
12:23 The Yoga Sutras & Patanjali
28:31 Hatha Yoga & Tantra
35:56 Yoga & Islam
40:26 Modern Postural Yoga
47:40 Conclusions

#yoga #history #religion

[LetsTalkReligion]

Corrections:
1. "Bahr al-Hayat" means "Ocean of LIFE" and not light.

[Poppin-Popenguine]

As a yoga teacher (with Indian origins) living in Senegal who loves Sufi teachings and has learned so much from them, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this video. The amount of work, dedication, and authenticity you put into each subject you bring to us is ASTOUNDING, and I cannot thank you enough. Sending you much love and well wishes for your continued success.

[theostapel]

Have been meditating for 43 yrs - day and night - and researching literature etc - ancient and modern
You - dear Phillip - have performed a wonder - with your video.
The span of yogic research is vast and now growing - as its influence spreads worldwide.
One would need a whole series - for all the many questions - that may arise.
Thank you - for all your work here - yet even beyond - this effort too.
Fare thee well - on life's journey.

[dominicmoreno]

currently in a world of so much chaos i really admire your channel and the hard work you reflect into musical craft, peace

[drbachimanchi]

As deeply spritual indian atheist i feel you gave a wonderful synopsis of yoga for me....good luck in your journey.

[NombreApellido-mzxn]

Thank you so much for another video, the quality of this channel is unbelievable, a true gem.

[irfanmehmud]

YOGA plays the same key role in mysticism that LOGIC plays in philosophy.

[anferneee]

so happy you did this one!!!! I have always been interested in hearing your take on what Yoga has grown into these days vs its roots 🙏🕉️

[pnkcnlng]

I started following you years ago and I think this is one of the best videos of yours. Love you Philip❤

[naiman]

I just HAD to watch this video after watching your video on Yoga and Islam - indeed, it was a very edifying Sunday morning for me, being deeply absorbed in spiritual study. Thanks!

[SteveCondron]

Thank you for explaining human belief systems to me. It is a gift.

[ROBOHEMIAN]

Thank you! This was exactly the information I was looking for, precisely when I needed it.

[forgey]

Swami Vivekananda translated Yoga as Self Realization in his book What Religion Is

[zovalentine]

I took RussaYog studies in 2004 from Jasprit Singh PhD (b. in New Delhi India in 1953) and his wife Teresa Singh MSW/MPA in Ann Arbor MI. They now reside in Santa Barbara CA.

Learned to harness my inner strength & warm my heart w/rope-based yoga that promoted physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Introduced to the 7 😇 Chakra energy centers of the body and have never forgotten to tune them over the decades. Very easy with color-coded chart on my wall.

Root - red
Sacral - orange
Solar plexus - yellow
Heart - green
Throat - light blue/turquoise
Third eye - dark blue/purple
Crown - violet/white

Poses !
Breathing !
Meditation !
OH MY ❗❗

[satviksrivastava]

Would like a standalone video on the Samkhy philosophy.

[willmosse]

The definition of Yoga from the Katha Upanishad given at 4:40, of stilling the perceptions and mind, combined with the meaning of “bringing together”, sounds the same as the concept of Samadhi - a different Sanskrit word for a state of being or mind achieved in meditation in both Buddhist and Hindu practice. Samadhi also means gathering together. I wonder how practitioners - particularly Hindu - conceive of the distinction (I practice a form of Buddhism predicated on the early texts, which I think do not make reference to Yoga, so more of a question for the Hindu practice I think).

Edit: the video does go on to talk about Samadhi later. But the question still stands regarding the use and definition of Yoga in the Katha Upanishad.

[JuanPreciado]

I like Yoga and Qigong and their respective philosophies, and medical systems.

They are such beautiful tools and way of life…

[rajendradangi]

Bodily practice is called asana (just small part of yoga) which was/is done just to keep body in good state in order to seat for longer time comfortably and do meditation without bodily interference.

[TheHippiflip]

What a wonderful and satisfying post on yoga! Thanks!

[freethefrails]

As a Sunni Muslim Indonesian, International Relations graduate, living in Bali. This channel continue to be the best content to listen while cleaning my room and ascending to higher level consciousness ❤️