Tantra a very sexual reputation. This is, however, a common misunderstanding, since Tantra practices
extend far beyond sexuality.
Hatha Yoga was introduced in the 10th century CE. It combined the physicality and conscious intent of
using bodily postures, or asana practice, and pranayama breath control for the goal of self-
realization.
In 14th century CE, the Yoga Upanishads were introduced. One of these sacred texts, Tejo Bindu
Upanishad, added seven more important parts of yoga practice on top of Patanjali’s eight. They were
as follows: mula bandha (root lock), balance, undisturbed vision, tyaga (abandonment), mauua
(quiet), desha (space), and kala (time).
It was not until the 20th century that yoga gained any kind of popularity in Western Europe and North
America. Swami Sivananda Saraswati was one of the first yogis to travel outside of India to spread
the teachings of yoga to the West. He established yoga centers in North America at the time Swami
Satchidananda also delivered an opening speech at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. However, T.
Krishnamacharya is arguably the father of the yoga practice with which Westerners are familiar
today. In the 1930s, he began teaching his students the Mysore vigorous sequences of yoga poses that
emphasize strength and athletic ability. Students were only allowed to learn the next and more
challenging pose after they had grasped the previous one. His three most prominent and influential
students are Pattabhi Jois, Iyengar, and Indra Devi. Pattabhi Jois established Ashtanga yoga. It is one
of the most popular types of yoga practiced in the West. Iyengar became successful by creating his
own sequences of yoga poses, which were characterized by a focus on the alignment of the body and
the use of various props. Indra Devi is considered the first famous yogini (female yoga master).
Krishnamacharya also educated his son Desikachar in yoga. An engineer by training, Desikachar saw
great value in studying yoga only when he was already a college graduate. Desikachar developed
Vinyoga, which is a more therapeutic and less intense approach to physical practice, as compared to
Ashtanga.
The 21st century presents us with an endless variety of yoga “styles” or “brands,” such as Bikram
Yoga, Power Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and countless more. It is important to be open-minded, try as
many styles and approaches as possible, and figure out what gives you the best results in terms of
achieving both your physical and spiritual goals. There is no wrong way to achieve self-realization.
Just make sure you are mindful, patient, practical, and consistent in your practice.
A Note on the Naming of Poses:
One of the ways that the distance from yoga’s roots expresses itself in Western culture is in the
naming of the poses. “Seated forward bend,” “eagle pose,” and “dolphin pose,” for example, are all
imprecise translations of the original Sanskrit name. Garudasana, for example, is widely known as
eagle pose, but traditionally this pose was named in dedication to Garuda, who is a Hindu deity,
portrayed as half-man and half-eagle. He is the charioteer of Lord Vishnu, who is part of the Holy
Trinity in Hinduism. Knowing this history adds a whole new dimension to our understanding of the
significance, philosophical depth, and essence of the pose, and can in turn enrich our practice.