A surge of interest in spirituality and 'New Age' therapies in the past ten years has meant that there has been an enormous interest in Yoga. Of course some practice Yoga as a means of relaxation, others for health reasons and a large number for spiritual purposes. Yet, what exactly are the origins of this discipline which has attracted the attention of so many people.

The origins of Yoga are rooted in an ancient Indian tradition known as tapasya. Tapasya is an ancient Saanskrit word which means heat. Tapasya was about burning off negative energy and reaching a higher purpose. Traditionally the word also symbolised spiritual suffering, and in the context of Yoga, refers to essential energy. In ancient times tapasya was practiced by monks and gurus as a way of personifying and strengthening their love and devotion to god.

Yoga is related to the six Hindu philosophical schools, in particular the Samkhya school. The major text of this school which is known as the Samkhya Karika was written by the spiritual teacher, Kapila. However formal Yoga philosophy was attributed to the teachings of the teacher Patanjali. Patanjali's work was dedicated to Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga is essentially about the control of the mind.

The writings of Patanjali also became the basis for Ashtanga Yoga, which means eight limbed Yoga. The Bhagavad Gita was the source of three other forms of Yoga, namely Karma Yoga, which is the Yoga of Action, Bhakti Yoga which is the Yoga of Devotion and Jhana Yoga, which is the Yoga of Knowledge. The fifteen century in India saw the birth of Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is a form of Yoga which is particularly popular in the West, and if you attend Yoga classes in Europe or the United States there is a strong probability that you may be practicing Hatha Yoga.