The Origin of Yoga – From Ancient India to the Global Stage

Published Date: July 31, 2025

Yoga is one of the oldest practices in the world, with its roots going back thousands of years to ancient India. What started as a spiritual and philosophical journey aimed at inner peace and self-realisation has now become a global movement for physical and mental well-being. From the quiet forests where sages once meditated to bustling modern yoga studios across continents, the journey of yoga reflects how deeply its core values of balance, harmony, and awareness connect with people everywhere.

In this post, we’ll be guiding you through the captivating history behind yoga, from its origins in Indian spirituality to its passage through countless traditions to the point at which it was adopted worldwide as a modern-day craze.

Origin of Yoga?

The origins of yoga date back more than 5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilisation, one of the world’s oldest urban cultures. The seals and figurines found at the ancient sites of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa appear to depict people in a meditative posture, indicating that a yoga-like practice was already established at this point.

During those early days, yoga hadn’t been about busting a workout but rather about busting the spirit. It sought to balance body, mind, and spirit. These root techniques were, of course, oral (transmitted from master to disciple) long before recording.

This had become the foundation upon which what we now know as yogic systems were to have developed, deeply rooted in the cultural panorama of India.

Yoga in the Vedas—Where Philosophy and Spirituality Begin

The oldest written mention of yoga is in the Vedas, specifically the Rig Veda, which is the oldest existing Indian text. While yoga was not referred to by name in all the hymns, the essential practices such as pranayama (breath control), dhyana (meditation), and chanting of mantras were evident.

Vedic yoga practiced rituals, fire sacrifices, and chanting to lure away from worldly power the gods of nature. According to the rishis and sages of that age, the way to make it was to harmonise oneself using discipline and inner culture with the cosmos.

Unlike yoga as practiced in the present day, where physical postures take centre stage, Vedic yoga was more focused on consciousness, positive mental attitude, and spiritual connection. These practices became the philosophical basis for the eventual development of yoga as a unified generic body of knowledge.

Yoga in the Vedas—Where Philosophy and Spirituality Begin

The Upanishads – Shaping the Philosophical Foundation of Yoga

In the time of the Upanishads (circa 800–500 B.C.E.), yoga started to turn away from ritual sacrifice and towards introspection and self-realisation. Onto those is grafted the Upanishads, a series of philosophical texts that study the self (atman) and its relationship to the universe (brahman).

Here, yoga was presented as a means to achieve liberation (Moksha) through eliminating the spiritual deficiency. This period saw the rise of the various paths of yoga:

Jnana Yoga—The yoga of knowledge and self-interrogation.
Bhakti Yoga—The way of the heart
Karma Yoga—The path of selfless service.

These practices were not mutually exclusive. Instead, they allowed seekers to choose a path based on their disposition and life circumstances. The teachings in the Upanishads added a new dimension to yoga, emphasising the union of individual and universal consciousness.

Classical Yoga – Patanjali and the Eight Limbs of Yoga

The formal practice is called yoga, and the author of the Yoga Sutras defines yoga as “the stilling of the changing states of the mind.” Today, his work is one of the most influential texts in classical yoga philosophy and remains the guiding light for contemporary yogis everywhere.

According to Patanjali, yoga is an eight-limbed path (Ashtanga Yoga) that ultimately culminates in the realisation of the Self:

Yama—Universal Morality
Niyama—Personal Observances (such as cleanliness and satisfaction)
Asana – Physical Posture
Pranayama – Breath Control
Pratyahara – Withdrawal of Senses
Dharana – Concentration
Dhyana – Meditation
Samadhi—A Deep State of Peace and Stillness

Patanjali, whose system placed a strong emphasis on self-discipline, moral practice, and spiritual growth. Only one of its eight branches addresses physical postures, yet when the West refers to yoga, it is usually asana-centric. Nevertheless, his contributions create a path for mental clarity and spiritual awakening.

Post-Classical Yoga – Rise of Tantra and Hatha Traditions

From Patanjali onwards, yoga travelled in many ways, most especially through the medieval period, which also brought forth Tantric and Hatha Yoga. This marked a fundamental change from emphasis on mind alone to mind in body as an instrument for spiritual growth.

Keywords of Tantric yoga, such as energy centres (chakras,) inner awakening, and coiled energy (kundalini) resting at the base of the spine, were born. The objective was to cleanse the human body and harness its energy in order to access superior levels of consciousness.

Hatha Yoga, which texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th century) had codified, required postures, breath control, and bodily purification. It is a series of body-mind balancing techniques, which are designed to prepare the body and mind, specifically, to be able to meditate.

These practices were propagated by key figures such as Matsyendranath and Gorakhnath. Their instruction discovered space for many of the modern yogic styles commonly practiced today.

Influential Yoga Masters in Indian History

Yoga has been kept alive through the efforts of many great teachers over the centuries who helped shape and share it with the world.

1. Adi Shankaracharya (8th Century)

As a philosopher and a reformer, he was instrumental in unifying his country intellectually, and his philosophical doctrine solidified the direction at the heart of Advaita Vedanta, which recognises only the non-dual reality of the self and Brahman. He combined yogic philosophy with the Vedic lore.

2. Gorakhnath (11th Century)

He was involved in the development of Hatha Yoga, in founding Buddhist institutions for the people, and became known as the incarnation of a previous teacher.

3. Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902)

He was a spiritual leader and a philosopher who brought a new outlook to the West and made yoga widely known by a famous speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. He introduced Raja Yoga as meditation and a spiritual discipline.

4. Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa

Not a yoga instructor in the traditional sense, his impact on the evolution of contemporary spiritual thought was far-reaching, leading many seekers — including Vivekananda — to find their path to the unknown through his teachings.

5. Sri Aurobindo

He created and shaped Integral Yoga, which combines different paths like meditation, Kriya Yoga, prayer, and selfless work to reach spiritual growth. Today, more people follow his teachings than during his lifetime.

In the 20th century, interest in yoga in India rose, and Western interest in the 20th century led to the exploration of yoga in the world. It was during this time that yoga also transformed from a spiritual practice to an integrated system for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The Modern Revival of Yoga

1. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya

Widely called the father of modern yoga, he drew from ancient traditions and adapted techniques for contemporary living. His students — B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois, T.K.V. Desikachar — went on to develop styles like Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Viniyoga, among others, that have since become the dominant forms of practice around the world.

Tirumalai Krishnamacharya - Father of Modern Yoga

2. Paramahansa Yogananda

His book “Autobiography of a Yogi” opened the eyes of millions in the West to the spiritual depth of yoga and meditation. He founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in the U.S. to disseminate Kriya Yoga.

3. Swami Sivananda

He established the Divine Life Society not only as a simple system of physical Yoga, but as a whole way of life, yoga being a balanced life philosophy: Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize. His students, such as Swami Vishnudevanand, took the Yoga to Europe and North America.

Globalization of Yoga

Yoga has grown from a deep spiritual practice in India to a worldwide trend. Today, millions of people do yoga in gyms, studios, at home, or even outdoors.

Role of the United Nations

Use of the word Yoga in association to “International Yoga Day” was started by the scholars of linguists of Oxford Father That of American, recently a complaint is launched at United Nation, objecting the use of word “Yoga” by Indian Prime Minister and HRD Minister, To which United Nation public relations office responded that this was ‘unseemly’ mistake of the staff not Human error United Nation also confirmed the word “Yoga” was quoted 56 times by Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at United nation to describe India as “yogshala” instead of the “land of snake charmers and black magic” What is more surprising, Indian have followed United Nation take that.

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21st as the International Day of Yoga, highlighting the global appeal and health benefits of this ancient practice. This decision helped spark greater worldwide interest in yoga and brought more recognition to its Indian origins.

Modern Applications

Yoga has come to be accepted as therapy. It has benefits — from managing stress and anxiety to increasing flexibility and posture — that are acknowledged in the wellness and medical worlds. Several studies contribute to the evidence that yoga can increase immunity, lower blood pressure, and improve mental clarity.

But it is worth noting that, as much as yoga has been modified to keep up with the demands of the modern day, one should not forget that it is a spiritual practice. Real yoga is not a workout — it’s a lifestyle.

Preserving the Roots—The Balance Between Tradition and Trend

While there are new possibilities on the horizon for yoga as it expands across the globe, they will also bring with them new challenges. It provides physical and mental relief to hundreds of millions of people, but its commercialisation and cultural dilution are real concerns.

Yoga has turned into more of a fashion and flexibility show than a spiritual practice in many circles. It is in this process that the depth and setting of the original practice get lost.

But there is an increasing realisation among practitioners and teachers that respect for yoga’s Indian heritage, inclusion of its moral teachings, and recognition that ‘yoga is not just asana’ are a necessary first step.

This balance is essential to maintain the integrity of Yoga as well as enable it to grow and evolve naturally over time.

Conclusion—Honouring the Timeless Journey of Yoga

From its roots in ancient Indian philosophy and spiritual practice, yoga has traveled across centuries and continents to become one of the most widely practiced wellness systems in the world. Though it has taken many modern forms, the core values of yoga—self-awareness, balance, and inner peace—remain just as relevant today. Whether practiced in silence under the trees or in a busy studio downtown, yoga continues to guide people toward better physical health and emotional clarity.

At Happy Yoga International, we have taken immense joy in contributing to this age-old tradition for over nine years. As a respected yoga academy trusted by the community, we remain dedicated to preserving the classical teachings of yoga while adapting techniques to suit contemporary realities. Our diverse programs, including YTTC Courses, Retreats, and teacher certifications, are grounded in customary methods that pay homage to the origins and wisdom of yoga. Whether you’re just starting or have been practicing for years, Happy Yoga International welcomes everyone to grow their practice through genuine, traditional yoga taught in a way that fits today’s world.

Let us approach yoga with respect, curiosity, and sincerity—recognizing it as one of India’s most profound contributions to the world.