Yoga and health

The first systematic presentation of yoga was made in the Patanjali's yoga sutras. These yoga sutras were written in the second century and describes the path of Raja Yoga, which is known as "classical yoga". Patanjali is often considered as the father of yoga and his yoga-sutras still strongly influence all styles of modern yoga. In Patanjali, the art of yoga is divided into an "eight limbed path" that contain the steps to obtain the enlightenment.

 The teachers of yoga created a system of practices that was designed to rejuvenate the body and life. They rejected the teachings of the ancient Vedas and developed the Tantra Yoga, with various techniques to cleanse the body and mind. Thus, these body centered practices further led to the creation of Hatha Yoga.

During the period 1800 and 1900, the teachers of yoga started travelling to the west, to attract the followers. In the 1920, Hatha Yoga was strongly promoted in India by Mr. T. Krishnamacharya. Shri Krishnamacharya traveled through India and give demonstration of various yoga postures and opened the first Hatha Yoga school. B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar and Pattabhi Jois were the three students of Shri Krishnamacharya who continued his legacy and increase the popularity of Hatha Yoga.

The importation of yoga in the west still continued until Indra Devi opened her yoga studio in Hollywood  Since then, various other western and Indian teachers became the pioneers who popularized the Hatha Yoga and gain millions of followers. Now the Hatha Yoga has various different schools or styles, which emphasize the various aspects of the practice.
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