Yoga is an old practice from India that helps people become still, calm, and healthy. It has been around for a long time, over 5,000 years!
The word “yoga” means “to join together” in Sanskrit, which is an old language from India. People who practice yoga want to join their mind, body, and spirit to feel peaceful and relaxed.
In ancient India, yoga was mostly taught to students in person by teachers, and it wasn't written down in books. It was passed on from generation to generation until it was finally written down around 2,000 years ago.
The first written mention of yoga came from a book called the Rig Veda, which is an ancient Indian text that dates back to around 1500 BCE. This book mentioned yoga as a way to control your mind and senses.
In the centuries that followed, many more books were written about yoga, including the famous Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. This book laid the groundwork for modern yoga practices and explained the different types of yoga.
Over time, yoga spread beyond India and became popular all over the world. Today, people practice yoga in many different forms, from traditional hatha yoga to new kinds like aerial yoga and hot yoga.
Despite the many different forms of yoga that exist today, they all have roots in the ancient practice from India, and all strive to help people feel calm, relaxed, and healthy.