The History of Yoga
"Part 1 Its Origins"
The art of yoga has been practiced and developed over many centuries always with the aim of combining physical fitness with mental control.
Its history is shrouded in the mists of time with some experts in antiquity dating its beginnings at some five thousand years ago in Southern Asia.
The region includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Tibet, an area of the world steeped in ancient mystical and spiritual beliefs.
Some anthropologist argue that the cult of shamanism gave birth to yogism, and to strengthen the argument the practice of mental disciplines is common to both.
Shamans, aka witch doctors, or possessors of magical powers, have been present in all human societies in one form or another since the birth of mankind and are still actively followed and believed in many societies.
The common thread is the apparent control that they are able to exercise over their bodies by the power of their minds.
Experienced yoga practitioners can testify to the beneficial effects on their physical well being that they gain as they become more adept in the variety of positions and mental and physical routines.
It is perhaps then no coincidence that some of the extraordinary capabilities of the mind reportedly demonstrated by shamans have probably come about through a lifetime devoted to the rigorous application of advanced yoga techniques.
Today the art of yoga is closely associated with the Hindu faith.
The Hindu Religion is thought to have started about four thousand years ago and developed as a synthesis of other associated cultural and religious beliefs, some of which are present to this day in the form of various sects and the caste system.
It is entirely logical that the well known practices of Hindu holy men of lying on a bed of nails or walking across a bed of red hot coals without pain or evidence of physical damage has been possible by the exercise of control over mind and body brought about by the intense study and practice of yoga.
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Eye Exercises From India | For Your Eyes Only said (pingback):
[...] Yoga practitioners believe that many eye problems particularly those that develop later in life are caused by a loss of elasticity in the eye muscles. [...]