About Our Flexibility Class
Yoga is a practice in which one brings body,
mind, and spirit together for a deeper understanding of oneself. Yoga originated in India and
has gone through four major periods, Vedic, Pre-Classical, Classical, and Post-Classical periods. The Vedic
period is thought to have begun about 2500 B.C. (1) with the writing of the Vedas, a sacred scripture of Brahmanism.
The Vedas contain some of the oldest yoga teachings, ritualism and ceremonies that allowed one to see the ultimate
reality of the divine (2). During Pre-Classical period many transformation of yoga took place.
This period lasted about 2000 years (3). It began with the writing of Upanishads, which are 200
scriptures describing the “inner vision of reality resulting from devotion to Braham” (2). In
the 6th century B.C. Buddhism began to influence yoga. Buddhism focuses on meditation and physical poses or postures
(2, 3). Another important yoga document was written, Bhagavad-Gita, in 500 B.C. “The
central teaching of the Gita is, to do ones' duty and not expect the fruit of the action.” (3) The
Classical period is known for the creation of the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali in the 2nd century. Patanjali
separated body, mind & spirit and organized yoga into eight limbs or areas of yoga: Yama (universal morality), Niyama
(personal observances), Asanas (body postures), Pranayama (breathing exercises & control of breath), Pratyahara (control
of senses), Dharana (concentration inner perception), Dhyana (mediation) & Samadhi (union with the divine) (4).
These techniques if practiced properly would change the body into an immortal being (2). The Post-Classical
period teaches one to accept reality and live in the moment. That is focus your attention on what you are
doing at the moment. Yoga Guru Swami Sivananda organized yoga into five principles
of yoga: Savasana or proper relaxation; Asanas or proper exercise; Pranayama or proper breathing; proper diet; and Dhyana
or positive thinking & mediation (2).
Qi Works Studio focuses
on Classical & Post-Classical organization of yoga.
1. http://www.vedicculturalcentre.com/vedicPeriod.htm
2. http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/yogahistory.asp
3. http://www.medindia.net/yoga-lifestyle/yoga-history-vedicyoga.htm
4. http://www.expressionsofspirit.com/yoga/eight-limbs.htm
