Traditional Roots: The Philosophical Backbone of Yoga
Yoga’s lineage stretches back thousands of years, deeply embedded in the spiritual and philosophical traditions of ancient India. Far from being a modern wellness trend, yoga is a discipline with profound metaphysical foundations and a rich textual heritage.
Its earliest roots can be traced to the Vedas—the oldest sacred texts of India—which laid the groundwork for ritual, mantra, and meditative practices. From there, the Upanishads emerged as a bridge between outer ritual and inner realization, introducing core yogic ideas such as ātman (the self), brahman (ultimate reality), and moksha (liberation).
These philosophical insights found further articulation in the Bhagavad Gītā, a spiritual dialogue set on a battlefield, where yoga is presented not only as physical practice but as a complete way of life. In it, Krishna outlines three primary paths of yoga: karma yoga (the yoga of action), bhakti yoga (the yoga of devotion), and jñāna yoga (the yoga of knowledge).
The systematization of yoga philosophy came with Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, which codified the eight limbs (aṣṭāṅga yoga)—a step-by-step framework for spiritual growth encompassing ethics, posture, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and ultimately, samādhi (absorption or union).
These foundational texts form the bedrock of yoga’s philosophy, emphasizing self-inquiry, disciplined practice, and a direct experience of truth. Honoring these traditional roots helps us reconnect with yoga as a timeless path of transformation—one that continues to guide seekers toward inner freedom, clarity, and wholeness.
🕉️ Module 1: Traditional Roots – The Philosophical Backbone of Yoga
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” – Bhagavad Gītā
In this opening module, we explore the ancient origins of yoga—not as a modern form of exercise or relaxation, but as a profound spiritual science. Rooted in the sacred traditions of India, yoga evolved over millennia as a means to understand the nature of the self and attain liberation (moksha). To understand what yoga truly is, we must look to its source texts—the spiritual philosophies that form its foundation.
🔹 The Vedas: The Seeds of Sacred Knowledge
The earliest references to yogic practices are found in the Vedas (c. 1500–1000 BCE), a vast collection of hymns and rituals. While not explicitly a “yoga manual,” the Vedas introduced key elements of yogic thought—mantra, ritual, and a reverence for inner stillness. These texts emphasize harmony with cosmic order (ṛta), a principle that subtly shaped later yoga ethics and practices.
🔹 The Upanishads: Turning Inward
With the Upanishads (800–200 BCE), we see a dramatic shift from outer ritual to inner contemplation. These mystical texts delve into the nature of consciousness, the relationship between the self (ātman) and the absolute (brahman), and the quest for ultimate truth. They introduce the early vision of yoga as a disciplined inward journey—a means of realizing unity with the divine.
🔹 The Bhagavad Gītā: Yoga as a Way of Life
Composed around 200 BCE, the Bhagavad Gītā is one of the most important spiritual texts in yoga’s history. Here, yoga is not confined to meditation or posture—it is a holistic approach to living. Through Krishna’s guidance to Arjuna, we discover three principal yogic paths:
- Karma Yoga – the path of selfless action
- Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion
- Jñāna Yoga – the path of knowledge
The Gītā teaches that yoga is about inner alignment, even in the midst of daily life.
🔹 Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras: The System of Yoga
Perhaps the most systematic articulation of yoga philosophy comes from Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras (c. 200 CE). This concise collection of aphorisms outlines the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Aṣṭāṅga Yoga)—a roadmap for spiritual progress:
- Yama – ethical restraints
- Niyama – personal observances
- Āsana – posture
- Prāṇāyāma – breath control
- Pratyāhāra – withdrawal of the senses
- Dhāraṇā – concentration
- Dhyāna – meditation
- Samādhi – absorption or union
This framework reminds us that the postures we practice today are just one part of a much broader spiritual discipline.
🌿 Why This Matters
By reconnecting with yoga’s traditional roots, we move beyond surface-level understanding and step into the depth and wisdom of a living tradition. We begin to see yoga not just as something we do—but as a way of being, a lens through which we view the world, ourselves, and our place in the greater whole.