73 and Counting Yoga Years

From its very beginnings in Ancient Times over 5000 years ago to today - Yoga has changed

Yoga originated in India and has spread all over the World, although traditional Yoga and modern Yoga practices are no longer quite the same.

Yoga has travelled many miles and is practised in many countries. Originally it was followed in a more religious way and was harsher on the body than what we are familiar with today

By the 1950's (when I was born) Yoga was evolving and during the 1960's several Americans were using television to present approachable and practical forms of Yoga and certainly 'The Beatles" made Yoga 'Hip'

Poses in Yoga derive their meaning from animals, nature and stories

Some poses indicate 'Strength" such as 'Warrior Poses'

and some indicate 'Submission' like 'Childs Pose'

More than 90% of Students come to Yoga for flexibility, stress relief, health and physical fitness

Yoga offers self reflection, the practice of kindness along with self compassion and self awareness

1970's Yoga and Spiritual Teachings were expanding across the globe and becoming more accessible with Group Classes in local vicinities

The Fitness Industry boomed and Yoga evolved

1980's The Aerobics Craze of the 1980's led to a rise in fitness related injuries which in turn prompted even more interest in Yoga as a low impact way of staying fit and healthy. Yoga classes expanded into Gyms, and Health Clubs across the world

People are drawn to Yoga for a variety of reasons, whether its the physical practice or the mind body connection or a Doctors referral

1990's The Yoga Alliance in America established Yoga Teacher Trainings

2014 On the 11th December 2014 United Nations proclaimed that there would be an International Yoga Day every year on 21st June when many Yoga Teachers offer Free Yoga Classes as Yoga becomes suitable for todays world and todays bodies

2020's Another evolvement of The Practice of Yoga took place as due to the Covid Pandemic Yoga teachers took their teachings on line to enable Students to continue their practice during this lock down time

Post Pandemic On line Yoga Practice continues to evolve, alongside face to face classes as Yoga adapts itself for people of all ages and physical abilities

Yoga is now a household word no longer a hidden secret. Its benefits have reached all levels from Children in School, to Statesmen (Canadian Prime Minister) from Artists to Artisans from Housewives to Hippies

The Tree Is Still Spreading

The Winds of Yoga Are Blowing Everywhere - BKS Iyengar