yoga

Yoga (Sanskrit, Pāli: योग, IAST: yóga, IPA: [joːgə]) refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India.^[1] The word is associated with meditative practices in both Buddhism and Hinduism.^[2][3] In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs its practices.^[4][5]

Major branches of yoga include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga.^[6][7][8] Raja Yoga, compiled in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and known simply as yoga in the context of Hindu philosophy, is part of the Samkhya tradition.^[9] Many other Hindu texts discuss aspects of yoga, including the Vedas, Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Shiva Samhita and various Tantras.

The Sanskrit word yoga has many meanings,^[10] and is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite".^[11] Translations include "joining", "uniting", "union", "conjunction", and "means".^[12][13][14] Outside India, the term yoga is typically associated with Hatha Yoga and its asanas (postures) or as a form of exercise. A practitioner of Yoga is called a Yogi (gender neutral) or Yogini (feminine form).

The Vedic Samhitas contain references to ascetics, while ascetic practices (tapas) are referenced in the Brāhmaṇas (900 B.C. and 500 B.C.), early commentaries on the Vedas.^[15] Several seals discovered at Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1700 BC) sites depict figures in a yoga- or meditation-like posture, "a form of ritual discipline, suggesting a precursor of yoga", according to Archaeologist Gregory Possehl.^[16]

Techniques for experiencing higher states of consciousness in meditation initially had only a slight philosophical underpinning, and were unconnected with Samkhya doctrines.^[17] These techniques were developed by the shramanic traditions and in the Upanshadic tradition.^[18] An early textual reference to meditation is made in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, the earliest Upanishad (approx. 900 B.C.).^[19] The Buddhist texts are probably the earliest texts describing meditation techniques.^[20] In Hindu literature, the term "yoga" first occurs in the Katha Upanishad, where it refers to control of the senses and the cessation of mental activity leading to a supreme state.^[21] Important textual sources for the evolving concept of Yoga are the middle Upanishads, (ca. 400 B.C.), the Mahabharata including the Bhagavad Gita (ca. 200 B.C.), and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (300 B.C.-200 B.C.).