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Yoga is one of the world’s oldest systems of self-development, yet many modern practitioners know very little about where it came from, how it evolved, or how the practice we recognise today emerged. This module explores the rich history of yoga, tracing its journey from ancient spiritual traditions through to the modern global practice taught in studios today. By understanding yoga’s origins, influences and evolution, students gain a deeper appreciation of the practice and the ability to teach with greater authenticity, context and respect for its roots.
Throughout this module we will explore:
The origins of yoga and the Indus Valley Civilisation
The Vedic period and early spiritual traditions
The Upanishads and the emergence of key yogic concepts
The Bhagavad Gita and the paths of yoga
The development of Classical Yoga and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Buddhism, Jainism and their influence on yogic thought
Tantra and the evolution of subtle body teachings
The rise of Hatha Yoga and key medieval texts
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and Shiva Samhita
The influence of colonialism on yoga
The modern yoga renaissance
Krishnamacharya and the roots of contemporary yoga
The development of Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga and modern Vinyasa
The commercialisation and globalisation of yoga
Cultural appreciation vs cultural appropriation
How traditional teachings can be honoured within modern teaching
Alongside historical study, we will reflect on how yoga has continually evolved throughout history and explore what it means to teach yoga responsibly in the modern world.
