History and origin of yoga

History and origin of yoga: from its roots in India to its current practice

Why look at the origin of yoga?

Today, yoga is everywhere. We see it in gyms, social media, urban studios, and even mobile apps. yoga in Granada, yoga in the world, etc… . Many people associate it with stretching, flexibility or physical well-being, and yes, all of that can be part of the experience… but it is just the tip of the iceberg, let's discover the history and origin of yoga.

Knowing the history and origin of yoga is not an academic exercise or a simple curiosity: it is a way of honor their roots and of give depth and meaning to what we do every time we sit down to breathe or enter a posture. Because yoga was not born as a modern exercise routine, but as a spiritual, ethical and philosophical practice, a complete path to self-knowledge and inner liberation.

Know its history to understand its depth

Yoga has over 2,000 years of history (some texts even speak of 5,000 years), and has evolved from its most contemplative forms to the dynamic styles we know today. Understanding its origins—from the Vedic chants and early Indian philosophical texts to the sutras of Patanjali and the development of Hatha Yoga—helps us understand the practice with more presence, respect, and awareness.

When we understand where this tradition comes from, we also understand that yoga It is not a technique, but an attitude: a way of being in the world, of relating to our body, our emotions, and to others.

More than exercise: a philosophy of life

Yoga, at its core, isn't just about stretching muscles or relieving stress. Its original purpose was—and remains— cultivate a clear mind, a compassionate heart, and a harmonious lifePostures (asanas) are only part of the path, a tool to prepare the body and calm the mind, but not the end.

Practicing yoga without knowing its history is like visiting an ancient temple without knowing who built it or why. When you understand the context, everything makes more sense. And the most beautiful thing is that, by delving into its roots, we can adapt yoga to our modern lives without losing its essence.

Ancestral Roots: Yoga in Ancient India

Yoga has its roots in ancient Indian civilization, long before the concept of a “yoga class” or “posture” existed. In its early days, yoga was a path of internalization, contemplation and union with the divineIt was not practiced in groups or on a mat, but in silence, in solitude, and with a profound spiritual search as its driving force.

First mentions in the Vedas and the Upanishads

The first references to the history and origin of yoga appear in the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts in the Indian tradition (written around 1500–1000 BC). In them, yoga is described not as a physical practice, but as a form of mental concentration and spiritual ritual.

Later on, in the Upanishads —philosophical texts that mark a more introspective evolution of Vedic thought—yoga is presented as a path of union between the individual soul (atman) and universal consciousness (Brahman). It discusses meditation, detachment, ego control, and the importance of inner silence.

Here is where one of the deepest principles of yoga is born:

Yoga as union, not only of body and mind, but of the human with the divine, of the individual with the eternal.

Yoga as a spiritual and self-knowledge path

At this stage, yoga had nothing to do with the postures we practice today. It was primarily a path spiritual and philosophical, practiced by wise men (rishis) who retreated to the forest to meditate, observe nature and contemplate the truth.

It was about master the mind, overcome desires and recognize the true nature of beingThe body was important, yes, but only as a vehicle for achieving a state of balance and clarity. The practice focused on breathing, concentration (dhyana), mantras and internal ethics.

In the history and origin of yoga, the approach remains the basis of the entire yogic tradition, although over time other dimensions were incorporated, such as postures, body purification and vital energy (prana), which we will see later.

Classical Yoga and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Although yoga had been practiced for centuries in the form of meditation and inner search, it was around the 2nd century BC when this tradition took systematic form thanks to a wise man called Patanjali. His work, the Yoga Sutras, is one of the most important texts in the entire history of yoga. It doesn't teach postures, but rather a philosophy of life and a clear guide to calming the mind and achieving spiritual liberation.

The system of the Ashtanga Yoga (the 8 steps)

In the Yoga SutrasPatanjali proposes a path in eight steps called Ashtanga Yoga (not to be confused with the modern fitness style of the same name). Each step represents an aspect of personal and spiritual development:

1. Yamas – ethical principles towards others (non-violence, truth, no stealing…)
2. Niyamas – personal disciplines (cleanliness, contentment, self-study…)
3. Asana – stable and comfortable body posture
4. Pranayama – conscious control of breathing
5. Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses into the interior
6. Dharana – mental concentration
7. Dhyana – sustained meditation
8. Samadhi – state of union, deep peace and absolute clarity
   

The interesting thing is that Only one of the eight steps refers to the physical body, and specific positions are not even described. Asana Here it means “to sit firmly and easily,” that is, to have a stable body in order to meditate.

This reminds us that in the history and origin of yoga, classical yoga had as its ultimate goal mastery of the mind, not the body, and that all techniques were tools to achieve a state of inner freedom.

The importance of mind control and ethics

One of the best-known sutras says:

“Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ”
“Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.”

This phrase sums up Patanjali's entire philosophy: yoga is a path to inner calm, to a state in which thoughts stop dragging us down, and we can see reality as it is.

That's why the Yoga Sutras They remain as relevant today. They remind us that yoga goes far beyond the body, and that without ethics, self-observation, and inner work, the practice remains incomplete.

The development of Hatha Yoga

Over the centuries, the approach to yoga evolved. From around the 11th century onwards, a new movement began to emerge. within the tradition: the Hatha Yoga, a practice that placed the body at the center of the spiritual path, not as something separate from the sacred, but as an essential vehicle for achieving liberation.

This was a turning point. Until then, the body had been considered primarily an instrument for meditation, but with Hatha Yoga It became a field of energetic, physical and spiritual exploration in itself..

The body as a vehicle of transformation

The word Hatha It is composed of "ha" (sun) and “tha” (moon), and refers to the balance of opposing energies within us: active and receptive, masculine and feminine, solar and lunar. Hatha Yoga is, therefore, the practice that seeks to harmonize these polarities through the body and energy.

Hatha yogis began to develop more detailed techniques involving:

• Asanas (physical postures) to strengthen and purify the body
• Pranayama (breath control) to awaken and direct vital energy (prana)
• Bandhas (energy closures) and mudras (gestures) to contain and transform energy
• Shatkarmas (cleansing techniques) to purify the organs and body systems
  

This approach did not only seek health or flexibility, but a deep preparation to access higher states of meditation and to awaken the kundalini, the latent energy that, according to tradition, resides at the base of the spine.

Hatha Yoga was the foundation upon which, centuries later, many of the contemporary styles we know would be developed: Vinyasa, Iyengar, Kundalini, among others.

The expansion of yoga in the West

For thousands of years, the history and origin of yoga was considered an essentially Eastern tradition, transmitted from master to disciple in a spiritual and cultural context very different from that of the West. However, from the 19th century and especially in the 20th century, its journey to the West, where it took on new forms, gained popularity… and also faced major transformations.

The shift in focus: from the spiritual to the physical

With its arrival in the West, yoga was adapting to the modern lifestyle, often focusing more on the physical aspect (asanas) than on its philosophical or spiritual dimension.

This isn't necessarily a negative thing. Many people have turned to yoga for back pain, stress, or a desire to move… and have subsequently discovered its deeper dimension. But it's also true that, in some contexts, yoga has been reduced to just another exercise routine, losing some of its original essence.

The current challenge is keep the root of yoga alive, even in modern settings. Respect its history, its purpose, and remember that beyond its external form, yoga is a tool for living with greater awareness, presence, and connection.

Yoga today: tradition and adaptation

Today, yoga is more alive and present than ever. It's practiced in studios, schools, hospitals, prisons, offices, gyms, and homes around the world. There are in-person and online classes, and styles for all bodies, ages, and needs. But this expansion also raises a big question: How to maintain the essence of yoga in a world that changes so rapidly?

At Quiroesencia, we strive to elevate the body and mind of our students by combining ancient massage techniques with yoga.

Different contemporary styles

In recent decades, multiple styles of yoga have emerged that combine tradition and modernity. Some focus on movement, others on alignment, and others on energetic or restorative practices. Among the best known are:

• Vinyasa Flow: dynamic and creative, synchronizes movement with breathing
• Iyengar: detailed, technical, uses supports for precise alignment
• Ashtanga Yoga: demanding style with fixed series and intense rhythm
• Yin Yoga: passive and meditative, works on stillness and fascia
• Kundalini Yoga: combines kriyas, breathing and meditation to awaken energy
• Restorative Yoga: focused on deep relaxation and recovery
• Therapeutic or somatic yoga: adapts the practice to specific injuries or situations

Each one offers something different, but all, if taught consciously, can be a gateway to greater inner connection.

How to maintain the essence in modern times

Practicing yoga today also means finding a balance between tradition and adaptationIt's not about imitating the ancient without understanding it, nor about emptying the practice of its profound meaning. It's about honoring the spirit of yoga—presence, listening, inner transformation—in a world that needs it more than ever.

Some ways to achieve this:

Return to texts and philosophy: understand that yoga includes ethics, meditation, breathing and lifestyle

Adapt without distorting: allowing yoga to adapt to the body, culture and modern life, without losing its intention

Remember that the goal is not perfect posture, but a clearer mind and a more present heart.

Practice with respect and gratitude for your roots: especially in a context where it is sometimes trivialized or commercialized

In essence, modern yoga can be as profound as ancient yoga, if we practice it with intention, honesty, and connection.

Yoga is a path, not a fad

In a world that often seeks quick results, yoga invites us to walk slowly, to look inward, and to build a practice that goes beyond the visible. Knowing the history and origin of yoga is not an academic gesture; it is a way of Honoring an ancient tradition that remains alive because it responds to a profound human need: to be at peace with oneself.

As well as knowing the history of the origins of massage It gives us an idea of how we have sought different paths to achieve well-being.

Yoga wasn't born to be perfect, nor to impress anyone. It was born as a path of transformation, of silence, of presence. And it continues to be so, if we choose to practice it with awareness, humility, and gratitude.

Today we are fortunate to be able to access yoga from anywhere in the world. But with that freedom comes a responsibility: remember its essence, respect its roots and adapt it without emptying it.

So, if you're on this path—whether you've been on it for years or are just starting out—I invite you to look beyond the postures, beyond the trends. To ask yourself: What moves me? What am I really looking for in this practice?
And to allow you to explore yoga not as a fad… but as a journey back to you.