Changing Nature of Yoga through the Ages

Abstract

Introduction: When the history of yoga studied carefully, it has been conspicuous that the nature of yoga undergone a variety of changes from the remote antiquity to its present stage of development. Objective: Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the facts to unveil how the nature of yoga has changed along with the change of ages. Methods: The qualitative data for study was collected from the findings of various researches as well as textual evidences of associated fields and an analytical and descriptive method was adopted for analyzing the collected data. Results: In the course of evolutionary phases of yoga, Austric, Dravidians and Aryans contributed a lot for shaping and moulding the nature of ancient yoga. Besides, the worship of mystic power, concept of mother-goddess and father-god, the evolution of yantra, mantra and tantra along with the impact of physical, socio-cultural as well as psychological factors have greatly been contributed in shaping and changing the nature of yoga through the ages. At the beginning of creation, the purpose of yoga was primarily ‘mundane’ rather than spiritual and the spiritual development at that time was only a secondary purpose. In the later ancient time, the sole nature of yoga practice was to attain ‘spirituality’ whereas in the medieval period; the nature of yoga transformed into a ‘mystical nature’. Similarly, in the early modern period, yoga came out of the mysticism and evolved as a ‘scientific’ subject with ‘social’ and ‘public nature. In the modern period, yoga has emerged as a ‘therapeutic subject’ and in addition to this, yoga also held its ‘commercial nature’. Discussion: The study noticed that the entire concept, structure and nature of yoga have undergone an incredible changes in modern times and specifically, during the last sixty years (i.e., from1960 AD to till the date). Conclusion: Thus, the study concluded that Yoga has achieved a variety of identities which have been accepted in different ways at different times throughout the course of its development.