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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. RAMA

2. SIDHANA

3. What is the main idea of the Bhagavad Gita?

4. Who is Matysendra
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi
Founder of the Kaula Branch of Tantra and the Natha sect.
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
RIG VEDA - ATHARVA VEDA - Jahjur VEDA - SAMA VEDA

5. The Vedic Age
From the 8-fold path of BUDHISM
4500-2500 BCE
It means Lord pertaining to the Yoga adepts. It was from the Natha sect that Hatha Yoga developed.
To prepare the yogi for meditation.

6. WHY did Patanjali choose 8 limbs?
From the 8-fold path of BUDHISM
Extend the life force
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
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna

7. What are the three synomyns of classical yoga
Ashtanga - Raja - Patanjala
Means 'to sit near'. There were traditionally 108 Upanishads. Epiphanies of the VEDAS They were interpretations of the VEDAS
Dualism or 'two.'
Spirit

8. SIDHANA

9. What does Hatha Yoga mean?
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
Extend the life force
Forceful yoga.
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.

10. CLASSICAL Yoga CONCEPTS
It means the Lord's Song. The book of Psalms. The popular Yoga scripture containing the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna.
Dualism or 'two.'
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
Arguably the most famous Sutra which means - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.

11. The BHAGAVAD-GITA

12. Sabikalpa Samadhi

13. What is the Bhagavad-Gita

14. What do the Yamas Represent
Buddhism - Right Path - Left Path and Kaula.
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.
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh
Universal morality

15. What is KARMA Yoga

16. What is Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah?
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
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.
Arguably the most famous Sutra which means - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
Sarasvati - The Goddess of knowledge - speech and the fine arts - also the name of an extinct river in India.

17. PARUSHA and PAKRITI
It means Lord pertaining to the Yoga adepts. It was from the Natha sect that Hatha Yoga developed.
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
The Path of Wisdom - 'embodying the scriptures. investing in study

18. What role did Goraksha play in our lineage
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
PAT=FALLEN; SHAKTI PAT=FALLEN ENERGY
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.
The founder of the Kanphata order and an early preceptor of Hatha yoga.

19. Before Goraksha - what was practicing asana was primarily done for?
Patanjali
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
From the 8-fold path of BUDHISM
Sabikalpa - Nirbikalpa - Maha

20. Name 5 of the 10 incarnations of VISHNU
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
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)

21. Yogash citta vritti nirodhah
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.
Found in the Bhagavata PURANA. He gives 10 sons and 1 daughter to each of his 16 -108 cow girls.
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding

22. Shiva's Counterpart
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
Dualism or 'two.'
Non-dual - end of the Vedas
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.

23. Name the Barkan Method Lineage.
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh
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
1000-100 BCE. All ABOUT NON-DUALISM
Pat; fallen or transfer. Anjali; greeting.

24. Who is Goraksha?
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.
DARK OR PLEASING ONE. The 7th incarnation of VISHNU. He is the main character in the RAMAYANA ('the advancement of RAMA') SITA IS his CONSORT. He was rescued by the forest demon - RAVANA
He was a disciple of Matsyendra and the originator of Hatha Yoga. Shiva told Matsyendra he would reincarnate as his disciple.
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi

25. The Indic Trimurti
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.
Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Sustainer Shiva- The Destroyer
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.
1500-1000 BCE

26. What is Krishna also known as
He was a disciple of Matsyendra and the originator of Hatha Yoga. Shiva told Matsyendra he would reincarnate as his disciple.
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
Govinda - cow finder.
Meditation

27. What is Krishna also known as
Ashtanga - Raja - Patanjala
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
DARK OR PLEASING ONE. The 7th incarnation of VISHNU. He is the main character in the RAMAYANA ('the advancement of RAMA') SITA IS his CONSORT. He was rescued by the forest demon - RAVANA
Govinda - cow finder.

28. What is Nirbikalpa Samadhi
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)
A higher state of consciousness in which the yogi communes with God in an ordinary walking state - even performing worldly duties. Without difference. The yogi feels there is a slight separation from God. In Nirbikalpa there is no separation from God
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama

29. Who was the first to systemize the teachings of Yoga and give yoga its Classical Form
Nature
Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Sustainer Shiva- The Destroyer
Patanjali
KNOWLEDGE

30. What does Pratyahara mean?
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
Patanjali's DUALISTIC approach (DVAITA VEDANTA) allows only for this kind of SAMADHI. This is SAMADHI with DIFFERENCE (BIKALPA) - ie
The Path of Devotion. (Hare Krishnas - for example)
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.

31. Why did the Classical Yogis not believe in a deep exploration of the physical world and their body?
Meditation
Found in the Bhagavata PURANA. He gives 10 sons and 1 daughter to each of his 16 -108 cow girls.
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
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)

32. The UPANISHADIC AGE
1500-1000 BCE
The Path of Wisdom - 'embodying the scriptures. investing in study
'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)
DARK OR PLEASING ONE. The 7th incarnation of VISHNU. He is the main character in the RAMAYANA ('the advancement of RAMA') SITA IS his CONSORT. He was rescued by the forest demon - RAVANA

33. KRISHNA

34. Yoga SUTRAS
'living liberated' The adept who is liberated or enlightened while still embodied. This is a non-dualistic ideal - that when 'self realization occurs - liberation will come'. The Bhagavad-Gita describes Jivan-Mukta
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
Cow Protector
Govinda - cow finder.

35. Why was Goraksha given his name?
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER
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
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi
The Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path

36. What are the four vedas
Dualism or 'two.'
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
'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)

37. Name the Niyama's and their meanings
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
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 Lord pertaining to the Yoga adepts. It was from the Natha sect that Hatha Yoga developed.
Universal morality

38. What was unique about the Kaula branch of Tantra yoga
Meditation
Seat
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.
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.

39. Parvati's son
DARK OR PLEASING ONE. The 7th incarnation of VISHNU. He is the main character in the RAMAYANA ('the advancement of RAMA') SITA IS his CONSORT. He was rescued by the forest demon - RAVANA
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
Buddhism - Right Path - Left Path and Kaula.
Ganesh - the pot belly elephant face God and the removal of all obstacles.

40. What were the VEDAS?
Hymns sung and passed down from Brahman to Brahman. The RIG VEDA first mentions Yoga
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
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
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

41. Name 5 of the 10 incarnations of VISHNU
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
Radha
1. Saucha-sacredness or purity 2. Santosha-contentment 3. Tapas-discipline 4. Swadhyaya-self study or introspection 5. Ishvara Pranidhana-Dedication to God

42. Rama's Consort
Sita
Enlightenment - ecstasy - absorption
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
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh

43. What is the 'breakdown -' or meaning of Patanjali's name
'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.
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.
Meditation
Pat; fallen or transfer. Anjali; greeting.

44. What does Vashista mean?
1000-100 BCE. All ABOUT NON-DUALISM
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.
Qualified non-dualist
Sita

45. Vishnu's ten incarnations
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
Goraksha
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).

46. What is Hatha Yoga?
Ashtanga - Raja - Patanjala
1. Saucha-sacredness or purity 2. Santosha-contentment 3. Tapas-discipline 4. Swadhyaya-self study or introspection 5. Ishvara Pranidhana-Dedication to God
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.
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).

47. What is the Mahabharata (The Great Story)?
Forceful yoga.
This is the story of wars between two arms of a family - the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
From the 8-fold path of BUDHISM
DUALISM. (DVAITA=DUALISM - VEDANTA=after the VEDAS) - 'DUALISM THAT OCCURRED AFTER The VEDAS' THIS was the philosophy espoused by Patanjali. Separate CONSCiousness and Matter or PURUSHA (SPIRIT) seen as separate from PRAKRITI (NATURE). FROM this view

48. JNANA Yoga

49. Who is Shankara?

50. What does Prakritti mean?
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
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 Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path
Nature