The religious tradition most closely associated with the philosophical and practical system of Yoga is Hinduism. While the term “Yoga” is often used today to describe a physical fitness regimen, its original meaning is “to yoke” or “to unite,” representing a broad spiritual discipline. This discipline aims for the union of the individual self with the ultimate reality, encompassing meditation, ethical conduct, and dedicated action, extending far beyond physical postures.
The Foundational Link to Hinduism
Yoga is formally recognized as one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, known as a Darshana. Early yogic concepts related to disciplined asceticism and internal focus appear in the ancient Vedic texts and the Upanishads, dating back to 1500 BCE. These foundational texts explored the nature of the self (Atman) and universal consciousness (Brahman), setting the stage for systematic yogic practice.
The Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture composed around the 2nd century BCE, solidifies the place of Yoga by presenting it as a practical path to spiritual liberation, or Moksha. The text outlines three primary forms of Yoga tailored to different human temperaments: Karma Yoga (the path of selfless action), Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion to a personal deity), and Jnana Yoga (the path of intellectual knowledge and wisdom). These paths are integral methods within the Hindu framework for overcoming suffering and realizing one’s true nature.
The Codification of Classical Yoga
The systematic organization of Yoga as a distinct discipline is largely attributed to the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras, compiled between 400 BCE and 400 CE. Patanjali’s text specifically codified Raja Yoga, or the “Royal Yoga,” which focuses on controlling the mind’s modifications. This system provided a structured methodology for meditation and spiritual development, differentiating it from the broader paths of devotion and action described in the Gita.
The central framework of Raja Yoga is the Eight Limbs, or Ashtanga, which outlines a progressive sequence of practices. This formalized method begins with ethical guidelines (Yama and Niyama) and proceeds through physical posture (Asana) and breath regulation (Pranayama). The latter limbs focus entirely on internal states, leading the practitioner through concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana) to the ultimate state of meditative absorption, known as Samadhi.
Shared Practices in Other Indian Religions
While Hinduism provides the primary philosophical foundation for classical Yoga, similar meditative and ascetic practices developed within other traditions across the Indian subcontinent. Both Jainism and Buddhism, which arose around the Upanishadic period, share a common cultural heritage of ethical and disciplinary focus. For instance, the ethical restraint of non-violence (Ahimsa), a key Yama in Patanjali’s system, is a foundational principle in both Jain and Buddhist philosophy.
Early Buddhist practice also includes a structured path emphasizing morality, concentration, and wisdom, which parallels the yogic emphasis on ethical conduct and meditative states like Samadhi. Although both traditions utilize shared concepts and techniques for mental discipline, such as focused concentration on elements or objects, their core philosophical association is distinct. Yoga remains formally a philosophical school of Hinduism.
Modern Global Yoga
The Yoga most widely recognized today, dominated by physical postures and breathing techniques, is largely a modern manifestation of Hatha Yoga. This branch of practice historically focused on purifying the body to prepare it for higher meditation. Since the mid-20th century, the practice has been secularized and culturally diffused across the world, primarily as a form of health and fitness.
Modern practitioners often engage in Hatha-based styles like Vinyasa or Ashtanga for physical benefits, including increased flexibility, muscular strength, and stress reduction. Scientific studies confirm that regular practice improves cardiorespiratory fitness and overall physical well-being. This globalized form largely separates the physical postures from the spiritual tenets of classical Hindu Yoga. Consequently, millions now practice the physical Asanas without adhering to the traditional religious or liberation-focused goals of the ancient tradition.