Yoga is a Sanskrit word, it is derived from the root word 'Yuj', which means to unite. It refers to the union with the divine by integration of mind, body and spirit. The history of yoga can be traced back to Rig Veda. Rig Veda is one of the four texts which are the basic foundation of Sanatan Dharma (Eternal Religion), now commonly known as Hindu religion. Veda means knowledge and Rig Veda is the world's oldest known text of any Indo-European language. The knowledge of Vedas was preserved in India for more than 10,000 years by oral tradition alone and was not put in writing until 1700 BCE.

The knowledge of Yoga in Vedas is known as Vedic Yoga. Vedic Yoga was envisioned by Vedic seers of the Angirasa (father of Brihaspati) and Bhrigu families. The most important seven seers were Vasishta, Vamadeva, Bharadvaja, Gritsamada, Vishvamistra, Kanwa and Atri. The Vedas contain a comprehensive key to cosmic evolution as well as to human spiritual unfolding and unlocking of all the laws of the universe. According to Vedas, there are three types of Yoga, they are:

1. Mantra Yoga – Manifestation of divine word - creative vibration of “Om” – Rig Veda
2. Prana Yoga – Manifestation of the energy of consciousness through Pranayama - Yajur Veda
3. Dhyana Yoga – Yoga of meditation – Sama Veda

The complete knowledge of Yoga was again given by Lord Krishna (3228 BCE) in Bhagavad Gita. Later, one branch of Yoga was further expanded by Patanjali (2 BCE) in Patanjali Yoga Sutra and Swami Svatmarama (15 CE) in Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Krishna taught mainly four paths of yoga. Any one path of yoga is sufficient for an individual to get connected to the divine, if practiced with dedication and sincerity. They are:

1. Karma Yoga - Yoga of action
2. Jnana Yoga - Yoga of knowledge
3. Bhakti Yoga -Yoga of devotion
4. Raj Yoga - Yoga of meditation

Patanjali mainly focuses on Raj Yoga which was earlier described by Lord Krishna. He provided eight “limbs” of Yoga practice. They are:

1. Yama – Principles
2. Niyama – Personal disciplines
3. Asana – Yogic positions or postures
4. Pranayama – Yogic breathing
5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses
6. Dharana – Concentration on object
7. Dhyana – Meditation
8. Samadhi – Super-conscious state leading to salvation

Today, Raj Yoga is more popular in its Hatha Yoga form. Hatha Yoga means forceful yoga or Yoga by force. Swami Swatmarama provided the knowledge of Hatha Yoga based on his own yogic experiences which include:

1. Asana - Yogic positions or postures
2. Pranayama - Breathing exercises
3. Chakras - Nexus of Metaphysical and/or biophysical energy
4. Kundalini - Coiled up energy originating from base of the spine
5. Bandhas – Binding of energy from leaking out
6. Kriyas – Literal meaning is action, but different school of yoga defines it differently
7. Shakti – Potential to produce or use energy
8. Nadis – Literal meaning is nerves, veins constitutes channels of flow of vital force
9. Mudras – Gestures made with the hand or fingers (Just imagine Buddha)


Most individuals generally define Yoga as Asana or fitness exercises which are nothing but the first step of Hatha Yoga. No matter if you are just doing yoga-asana, but the most important thing is you have to be regular in practice to experience the benefits. It does not matter whatever time you can allocate from your daily life, it can be 30 minutes or an hour; you must be as regular as you brush your teeth.

I have mostly practiced Yoga in the form of Asana for more than 20 years now and based on my experience I can say that modern medicine has its own value and place but continuous practice of yoga can keep a person healthy at mind, body and spiritual level without any side affects.