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Yoga History

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Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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Match each statement with the correct term.
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1. What is Advaita?

2. Yoga SUTRAS
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)
Nature
Patanjali
SUTRA=suture/thread. These are 195 aphorisms which cover many aspects of Yoga: transformation of consciousness - paranormal powers (SIDDHIS) - the eight limb path (ASHTANGA) and higher stages of yoga - liberation. Written on palm leaves and tied toge

3. Why was Goraksha given his name?
Patanjali
Shiva was lecturing his wife Parvati about the secrets of Tantra yoga and Parvati was asleep. Matsyendra heard the teachings from the belly of a huge fish and Shiva then states he knows who is real disciple is. 12 years later the fish is caught and M
The legend starts when a peasant woman asks Shiva for a son. He gives her ash to eat which will induce pregnancy. She throws the gift into a dung-heap. Twelve years later Matsyendra goes to see the child. After telling what she had done - Matsyendra
A 'chosen deity.' This meant that you believed you could meditate on a deity such as Shiva - Krishna - Ganesh or Lakshmi and then actually merge with and become that deity.

4. Shiva's Counterpart
The legend starts when a peasant woman asks Shiva for a son. He gives her ash to eat which will induce pregnancy. She throws the gift into a dung-heap. Twelve years later Matsyendra goes to see the child. After telling what she had done - Matsyendra
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
Parvati (also known as Uma - The mother of Ganesh - She represents the female energy of the Universe - Parvati also means the highest mountain peak in Sanskrit.

5. What are the FOUR VEDAS?
RIG VEDA - ATHARVA VEDA - Jahjur VEDA - SAMA VEDA
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
From 100 CE-500 CE there was PATANJALI who authored the Yoga SUTRAS. He spoke about the 8 limb path and was the first to systematize the teachings of Yoga. PATANJALI gave Yoga its Classic FORM
1500-1000 BCE

6. What does Natha sect mean?
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
It means Lord pertaining to the Yoga adepts. It was from the Natha sect that Hatha Yoga developed.
1.Matsya (fish) - 2. Kurma (tortoise) - 4. Nara-Simha (lion) 5. VAMANA or BAMANA (DWARF)=the first human incarnation of Vishnu - 6. Rama with an AX - 7. RAMA 8. KRISHNA (GOVINDA) - 9. BUDDHA (the awakened one) - 10> Kalki (the AVATAR yet to come)
Spirit

7. What is Advaita?

8. What major work is the Pre-Classical ERA of Yoga known for?
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
Enlightenment - ecstasy - absorption
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi
The state in which the yogi becomes breathless - with difference - the life force is withdrawn from the body and the yogi appears dead or motionless and rigid. The yogi is fully aware of his condition but it is a temporary state and he has a glimpse

9. What is another name for Goraksha
Personal observances or restraints
Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Sustainer Shiva- The Destroyer
Cow Protector
Universal morality

10. Name the Niyama's and their meanings
Govinda - cow finder.
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
1. Saucha-sacredness or purity 2. Santosha-contentment 3. Tapas-discipline 4. Swadhyaya-self study or introspection 5. Ishvara Pranidhana-Dedication to God
It means Non-dualism or 'not two.'

11. What is arguably the most famous Sutra and its meaning
The story of Rama and Sita. It is considered the Genesis and the most popular romantic story in all of India. Hanumat - or Hanuman the Monkey Leader - slay the forest demon - Ravana - and rescues his wife Sita.
Qualified non-dualist
The traditionalists believe the body is a hindrance - or an obstacle which limits and distracts us on our path (sadhana). Whereas the Tantrikas believe the body is an expression of divinity and we should therefore discover all of its sense pleasures
Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah.

12. What were the VEDAS?
Hymns sung and passed down from Brahman to Brahman. The RIG VEDA first mentions Yoga
AKA 'GOVINDA' or cow-finder. Always seen playing the flute The 8th incarnation of VISHNU. Krishna is one of the most powerful deities in the HINDU CULTURE. He's written about int the BHAGAVAD-GITA and the BHAGAVATA-PURANA
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).
It means the Lord's Song. The book of Psalms. The popular Yoga scripture containing the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna.

13. What is Sabikalpa Samadhi
The legend starts when a peasant woman asks Shiva for a son. He gives her ash to eat which will induce pregnancy. She throws the gift into a dung-heap. Twelve years later Matsyendra goes to see the child. After telling what she had done - Matsyendra
The state in which the yogi becomes breathless - with difference - the life force is withdrawn from the body and the yogi appears dead or motionless and rigid. The yogi is fully aware of his condition but it is a temporary state and he has a glimpse
Founder of the Kaula Branch of Tantra and the Natha sect.
Qualified non-dualist

14. What do the Yamas Represent
Universal morality
It means Non-dualism or 'not two.'
The Yogin's spiritual path. CLASSICAL YOGIS did not believe in deep exploration of the physical world or their bodies. These things were seen as a gross distraction from theirr spiritual path.
Patanjali

15. Veda
KNOWLEDGE
He was a disciple of Matsyendra and the originator of Hatha Yoga. Shiva told Matsyendra he would reincarnate as his disciple.
Qualified non-dualist
Matsya (fish) Kurma (tortoise) Varaha (boar) Nara-Simba (lion) Vamana or Bamana - dwarf or short man. First human incarnation. Parusha-Rama (Rama with an Axe) Rama (dark or pleasing one). Main character in Rama and Sita. Krishna (also known as Govind

16. DVAITA VEDANTA

17. Who is Matysendra
Founder of the Kaula Branch of Tantra and the Natha sect.
The story of Rama and Sita. It is considered the Genesis and the most popular romantic story in all of India. Hanumat - or Hanuman the Monkey Leader - slay the forest demon - Ravana - and rescues his wife Sita.
The Yogin's spiritual path. CLASSICAL YOGIS did not believe in deep exploration of the physical world or their bodies. These things were seen as a gross distraction from theirr spiritual path.
Enlightenment - ecstasy - absorption

18. What are the four vedas
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
The founder of the Kanphata order and an early preceptor of Hatha yoga.
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga

19. What is Patanjali's approach to Dvaita (Dualism).
'The LORD'S SONG'. The most famous of all Indic scripture - where Krishna teaches his main disciple - Arjuna of life through the teachings of KARMIC Yoga (RIGHT ACTION) - BHAKTI Yoga (DEVOTION) - and Jnana Yoga (WISDOM)
Patanjali favored a dualistic philosophy that separates Consciousness and Matter - or Spirit: Purusha and nature: Prakriti. They believed in two separate realities. While still in the physical body the yogin can only glimpse upon the Divine and in hi
Seat
Means 'to sit near'. There were traditionally 108 Upanishads. Epiphanies of the VEDAS They were interpretations of the VEDAS

20. What is Hatha Yoga?
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).
100-500 C.E.
Personal observances or restraints
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh

21. What do the Upanishads mean?

22. The Vedic Age
It means ear splitting. They would split both ears and wear very large earrings which is said to invoke the Yoga Siddhis powers.
4500-2500 BCE
Arguably the most famous Sutra which means - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
Goraksha

23. What was unique about the Kaula branch of Tantra yoga
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER
The masculine-feminine force of the Universe - the fundamental creative principle of existence. Shiva without Shakti is unable to affect anything. Just as the moon does not shine without moonlight - so also Shiva does not shine without Shakti.
They considered the body to be a distraction from their spiritual path (Sadhana). Even though they practiced asana as a preliminary step to stay healthy - they frown upon the Tantric approach of Hatha Yoga which uses the body as vehicle to reach enli
It was a combination of the Right and Left path. It had a strong presence of the Shakti element both in manifesting the feminine Shakti - and the presence of women in the role of consorts and initiators.

24. Name 5 of the 10 incarnations of VISHNU
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh
Parvati (also known as Uma - The mother of Ganesh - She represents the female energy of the Universe - Parvati also means the highest mountain peak in Sanskrit.
1.Matsya (fish) - 2. Kurma (tortoise) - 4. Nara-Simha (lion) 5. VAMANA or BAMANA (DWARF)=the first human incarnation of Vishnu - 6. Rama with an AX - 7. RAMA 8. KRISHNA (GOVINDA) - 9. BUDDHA (the awakened one) - 10> Kalki (the AVATAR yet to come)
Means 'to sit near'. There were traditionally 108 Upanishads. Epiphanies of the VEDAS They were interpretations of the VEDAS

25. Brahma's Counterpart
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
Sarasvati - The Goddess of knowledge - speech and the fine arts - also the name of an extinct river in India.
Forceful yoga.
To weave - loom or extend - very non judgmental - they embraced everyone with an open mind.

26. CLASSICAL ERA OF Yoga - WHEN?
1.Matsya (fish) - 2. Kurma (tortoise) - 4. Nara-Simha (lion) 5. VAMANA or BAMANA (DWARF)=the first human incarnation of Vishnu - 6. Rama with an AX - 7. RAMA 8. KRISHNA (GOVINDA) - 9. BUDDHA (the awakened one) - 10> Kalki (the AVATAR yet to come)
RIG VEDA - ATHARVA VEDA - Jahjur VEDA - SAMA VEDA
100-500 C.E.
1.Matsya (fish) - 2. Kurma (tortoise) - 4. Nara-Simha (lion) 5. VAMANA or BAMANA (DWARF)=the first human incarnation of Vishnu - 6. Rama with an AX - 7. RAMA 8. KRISHNA (GOVINDA) - 9. BUDDHA (the awakened one) - 10> Kalki (the AVATAR yet to come)

27. Who is Patanjali
1500-1000 BCE
Author of the Yoga sutras (source text of Classical Yoga) and the 8 Limb Path
The Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga

28. What is the Mahabharata (The Great Story)?
Ganesh - the pot belly elephant face God and the removal of all obstacles.
This is the story of wars between two arms of a family - the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
Buddhism - Right Path - Left Path and Kaula.
It purifies the body practicing asana - Ayurvedic medicine - eating consciously - and worshipping the body as a temple to transcend the physical. This is in contrast to the hedonists who indulge in sense pleasure for self gratification. Therefore - t

29. What does Pratyahara mean?
It means ear splitting. They would split both ears and wear very large earrings which is said to invoke the Yoga Siddhis powers.
Matsya (fish) Kurma (tortoise) Varaha (boar) Nara-Simba (lion) Vamana or Bamana - dwarf or short man. First human incarnation. Parusha-Rama (Rama with an Axe) Rama (dark or pleasing one). Main character in Rama and Sita. Krishna (also known as Govind
The Path of Devotion. (Hare Krishnas - for example)
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.

30. The BHAGAVAD-GITA

31. What does Prakritti mean?
Nature
Matsya (fish) Kurma (tortoise) Varaha (boar) Nara-Simba (lion) Vamana or Bamana - dwarf or short man. First human incarnation. Parusha-Rama (Rama with an Axe) Rama (dark or pleasing one). Main character in Rama and Sita. Krishna (also known as Govind
Qualified non-dualist
It purifies the body practicing asana - Ayurvedic medicine - eating consciously - and worshipping the body as a temple to transcend the physical. This is in contrast to the hedonists who indulge in sense pleasure for self gratification. Therefore - t

32. What is a Dvaita

33. What does Pratyahara mean?
Founder of the Kaula Branch of Tantra and the Natha sect.
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
Arguably the most famous Sutra which means - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.

34. Name the three energy channel Nadis
It was a combination of the Right and Left path. It had a strong presence of the Shakti element both in manifesting the feminine Shakti - and the presence of women in the role of consorts and initiators.
KNOWLEDGE
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna
To weave - loom or extend - very non judgmental - they embraced everyone with an open mind.

35. Advaita Vedanta
The masculine-feminine force of the Universe - the fundamental creative principle of existence. Shiva without Shakti is unable to affect anything. Just as the moon does not shine without moonlight - so also Shiva does not shine without Shakti.
It purifies the body practicing asana - Ayurvedic medicine - eating consciously - and worshipping the body as a temple to transcend the physical. This is in contrast to the hedonists who indulge in sense pleasure for self gratification. Therefore - t
1500-1000 BCE
Non-dual - end of the Vedas

36. What is Ishta Devata?

37. Who was the first Hatha yoga teacher?
The Path of Wisdom - 'embodying the scriptures. investing in study
Meditation
Goraksha
The Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path

38. CLASSICAL ERA OF Yoga - WHEN?
The Yogin's spiritual path. CLASSICAL YOGIS did not believe in deep exploration of the physical world or their bodies. These things were seen as a gross distraction from theirr spiritual path.
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.
He believed in a non-dualistic approach (Advaita-Vedanta) that the only reality is a spiritual world. He believed in an 'Abstract idea of who God is.' He challenged Patanjali's concept of separate realities. His concept was that Prakritti (nature) wa
100-500 C.E.

39. What was unique about the Kaula branch of Tantra yoga
Goraksha
'sit near.' They interpreted the Vedas. Hindu scripture that expounds the metaphysics of nondualism (Advaita Vedanta) and is considered the last phase in the Vedic revelation.
It was a combination of the Right and Left path. It had a strong presence of the Shakti element both in manifesting the feminine Shakti - and the presence of women in the role of consorts and initiators.
AKA 'GOVINDA' or cow-finder. Always seen playing the flute The 8th incarnation of VISHNU. Krishna is one of the most powerful deities in the HINDU CULTURE. He's written about int the BHAGAVAD-GITA and the BHAGAVATA-PURANA

40. SIDHANA

41. What does Pranyama mean?
Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah.
Krishna advises Arjuna to battle his 'enemy' which is really Arjuna's family. This 'enemy' represents the hold the world and worldly things have on humans.
A 'chosen deity.' This meant that you believed you could meditate on a deity such as Shiva - Krishna - Ganesh or Lakshmi and then actually merge with and become that deity.
Extend the life force

42. What is the 'breakdown -' or meaning of Patanjali's name
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER
It purifies the body practicing asana - Ayurvedic medicine - eating consciously - and worshipping the body as a temple to transcend the physical. This is in contrast to the hedonists who indulge in sense pleasure for self gratification. Therefore - t
Pat; fallen or transfer. Anjali; greeting.
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)

43. WHY did Patanjali choose 8 limbs?
From the 8-fold path of BUDHISM
Shiva was lecturing his wife Parvati about the secrets of Tantra yoga and Parvati was asleep. Matsyendra heard the teachings from the belly of a huge fish and Shiva then states he knows who is real disciple is. 12 years later the fish is caught and M
Patanjali
Enlightenment - ecstasy - absorption

44. The Indic Trimurti
Ashtanga - Raja - Patanjala
SUTRA=suture/thread. These are 195 aphorisms which cover many aspects of Yoga: transformation of consciousness - paranormal powers (SIDDHIS) - the eight limb path (ASHTANGA) and higher stages of yoga - liberation. Written on palm leaves and tied toge
Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Sustainer Shiva- The Destroyer
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.

45. What is Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah?
Hymns sung and passed down from Brahman to Brahman. The RIG VEDA first mentions Yoga
Arguably the most famous Sutra which means - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
To weave - loom or extend - very non judgmental - they embraced everyone with an open mind.

46. What is the Mahabharata (The Great Story)?
This is the story of wars between two arms of a family - the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi
The legend starts when a peasant woman asks Shiva for a son. He gives her ash to eat which will induce pregnancy. She throws the gift into a dung-heap. Twelve years later Matsyendra goes to see the child. After telling what she had done - Matsyendra
The Yogin's spiritual path. CLASSICAL YOGIS did not believe in deep exploration of the physical world or their bodies. These things were seen as a gross distraction from theirr spiritual path.

47. What does Vedas mean?
100-500 C.E.
He believed in a non-dualistic approach (Advaita-Vedanta) that the only reality is a spiritual world. He believed in an 'Abstract idea of who God is.' He challenged Patanjali's concept of separate realities. His concept was that Prakritti (nature) wa
Personal observances or restraints
Knowledge. The oldest portion and the most sacred scriptures of Hinduism. A collection of hymns said to be intuited by the ancient seers of sages. These hymns or songs - were secrets of the universe - why are we here? Oldest composition in the world.

48. What are the yoga sutras
Sutra means suture or thread. The Sutras consist of 195 aphorisms which cover many aspects of Yoga; transformation of consciousness - paranormal powers or (Siddhis) - the eight limb path (Ashtanga) - and higher stages of yoga - liberation. They were
It was a combination of the Right and Left path. It had a strong presence of the Shakti element both in manifesting the feminine Shakti - and the presence of women in the role of consorts and initiators.
The Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path
Krishna advises Arjuna to battle his 'enemy' which is really Arjuna's family. This 'enemy' represents the hold the world and worldly things have on humans.

49. What does Asana mean
Seat
The masculine-feminine force of the Universe - the fundamental creative principle of existence. Shiva without Shakti is unable to affect anything. Just as the moon does not shine without moonlight - so also Shiva does not shine without Shakti.
Forceful yoga.
Shiva was lecturing his wife Parvati about the secrets of Tantra yoga and Parvati was asleep. Matsyendra heard the teachings from the belly of a huge fish and Shiva then states he knows who is real disciple is. 12 years later the fish is caught and M

50. What was Patanjali the author of?
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
Matsyendra and Goraksha
AKA 'GOVINDA' or cow-finder. Always seen playing the flute The 8th incarnation of VISHNU. Krishna is one of the most powerful deities in the HINDU CULTURE. He's written about int the BHAGAVAD-GITA and the BHAGAVATA-PURANA
The Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path