The origins of yoga are unknown. We cannot say for sure when it really began. There are traces back to the Indus valley civilisation. Ancient seals and architecture reveal certain figures in known yoga positions. Thus, we can say for sure that it began in India as far as back in 2000 B.C. The ancient texts that are sacred to the people following Hinduism too are evidences that yoga has been a part of the Indian culture since forever. Since then, yoga has undergone several developments and transformation through the ages.
History of yoga in the west
In the west, yoga gained prominence due to Swami Vivekananda, who is considered to be one of the first global marketing geniuses of India. He went abroad in the midst of the 20th century and taught people there about yoga and its relevance in people’s lives. He spoke through various seminars and sessions about how yoga can help an individual transform his entire life for the better. Today, yoga is being pursued by many people in the west. People have begun to see the great effects of yoga on the body, the skin and the personality in general. Those who have adopted yoga and have gained from it, all swear by it. It is not just a part of an ancient religion – it is science. This in brief, is the yoga history summary.
Yoga history for kids
It is essential for kids to learn yoga too. They could use it to deal with pre-teen stress, worries about their looks, performance in school, and obesity. It will help them learn to develop focus at an early age, and contribute to their all round development. While kids learn yoga, the history is often taught to them by the instructors. Some instructors tell kids in the form of various engaging stories, how yoga was a part of the ancient Indian culture, and had transgressed to the west. Kids too feel very excited at the thought that they are practising an ancient art that is as exotic as martial arts. You could also provide them with a yoga history book that contains very good illustrated narrations of the story of yoga. They will feel very enthralled while reading them, as the book explains them all about yoga.
Teaching yoga steps
Elementary yoga is taught to kids, since the higher levels require the learners to have understood certain experiences in life that can only come with age. They are taught some simple postures and steps that will enable them gain the benefits that are relevant to them. This will help them deal with several important health and mental issues, and will contribute to their overall development. The exercises that are taught to the kids are very simple, and don’t require much effort. It will help them control their wavery minds, and teach them how to cope with stress at an early stage.