who is founder of yoga - #39783
I am really curious about yoga, and honestly, I've been dabbling with it for a while now. Whenever I try to explain to friends about my interest, I get stuck since I can't tell them who is founder of yoga. Like, I read somewhere that it has ancient roots, but it always feels a bit convoluted, right? I started practicing yoga to help with stress and anxiety, especially since my work life is kinda hectic. While practicing, I often think about who is founder of yoga and how this whole journey began. I've noticed changes, like my flexibility and even my mood lifting sometimes. But then I go down this rabbit hole and find conflicting information! Some say it's from Patanjali, while others mention different sages or practitioners. Also, there's so much on social media that seems to remix its origins! Am I the only one confused about who is founder of yoga? Trying to understand its true essence makes me feel like I’m missing the point of my own practice. If anyone could shed some light on this or point me in the right direction, that would be amazing! I'm really trying to immerse myself fully into yoga and its history, ya know?
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Doctors' responses
The origins of yoga is indeed a complex topic with deep roots that can sometimes feel tangled! Yoga doesn’t have a singular “founder” in the way that modern practices or businesses might. Instead, it’s a rich tapestry woven over millennia. The seeds of yoga tradition trace back over 5,000 years to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization as found in both archeological findings and the Vedic texts.
Patanjali is often associated with the systematization of yoga, thanks to his “Yoga Sutras,” compiled around 200 BCE to 500 CE. He organized the practices and philosophies of yoga into an accessible format, outlining what is now known as the eight limbs (Ashtanga) of yoga - which guide ethical behavior, physical postures, breath control, meditation, and more. However, Patanjali didn’t “create” yoga; he merely documented existing practices and beliefs, refining them for clarity and accessibility. His work is a cornerstone, though it’s crucial to understand it was building on the base of ancient traditions.
Numerous sages across time contributed to the development of yoga. Before Patanjli, texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and later the Bhagavad Gita, also touched on yogic philosophy. Additionally, several schools of thought, teachers, and traditions have arisen since, each adding new interpretations and practices to the yoga fabric.
If you’re interested in diving into yoga’s history while enriching your practice, I would recommend exploring these sacred texts and perhaps looking into the different schools of yoga, such as Hatha or Kundalini, each of which brings its own flavor and history. As for your current practice, focusing on the benefits you’re experiencing, stress relief and increased flexibility can certainly be a way of honoring this ancient tradition. That’s what yoga truly about, embracing both its history and its ability to transform your present life.

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