Test your basic knowledge |

Yoga History

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. What is the Ramayana
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.
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah.

2. Sabikalpa Samadhi

3. Shiva's Counterpart
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.
Found in the Bhagavata PURANA. He gives 10 sons and 1 daughter to each of his 16 -108 cow girls.
He was a disciple of Matsyendra and the originator of Hatha Yoga. Shiva told Matsyendra he would reincarnate as his disciple.
The state in which the yogi becomes breathless - with difference - the life force is withdrawn from the body and the yogi appears dead or motionless and rigid.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

4. Pre-Classical ERA (when - approximately)?
God - the absolute - the expansion - quantum source.
RIG VEDA - ATHARVA VEDA - Jahjur VEDA - SAMA VEDA
1000-100 BCE. All ABOUT NON-DUALISM
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

5. Name the three energy channel Nadis
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna
To prepare the yogi for meditation.

6. What does Dhrana mean?
Ganesh - the pot belly elephant face God and the removal of all obstacles.
PAT=FALLEN; SHAKTI PAT=FALLEN ENERGY
Extend the life force
Concentration

7. What were the VEDAS?
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh
Concentration
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
Hymns sung and passed down from Brahman to Brahman. The RIG VEDA first mentions Yoga

8. Yoga SUTRAS
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
1000-100 BCE. All ABOUT NON-DUALISM
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).
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

9. What does Vedas mean?
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.
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.'
Non-dual - end of the Vedas

10. Who was the first to systemize the teachings of Yoga and give yoga its Classical Form
Ganesh - the pot belly elephant face God and the removal of all obstacles.
Sarasvati - The Goddess of knowledge - speech and the fine arts - also the name of an extinct river in India.
Author of the Yoga sutras (source text of Classical Yoga) and the 8 Limb Path
Patanjali

11. Brahma's Counterpart
Pat; fallen or transfer. Anjali; greeting.
Sarasvati - The Goddess of knowledge - speech and the fine arts - also the name of an extinct river in India.
Personal observances or restraints
Spoken of in Pre-Classical times (1000 BCE-100 BCE) in Krishna's lesson to Arjuna in the BHAGAVAD GITA. The path of RIGHT ACTION. Through our TAPAS (disciplines - austerities) - you start to burn your - Karma. HATHA Yoga is KARMA Yoga

12. The Brahman
Non-dual - end of the Vedas
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
Means 'to sit near'. There were traditionally 108 Upanishads. Epiphanies of the VEDAS They were interpretations of the VEDAS
God - the absolute - the expansion - quantum source.

13. What role did Goraksha play in our lineage
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
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)
The founder of the Kanphata order and an early preceptor of Hatha yoga.

14. What is Patanjali's approach to Dvaita (Dualism).
It means ear splitting. They would split both ears and wear very large earrings which is said to invoke the Yoga Siddhis powers.
Universal morality
The Path of Wisdom - 'embodying the scriptures. investing in study
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

15. BHAKTI Yoga
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
The Path of Devotion. (Hare Krishnas - for example)
Dualism or 'two.'
Qualified non-dualist

16. SIDHANA

17. What is the differences between Tantra and the more traditional view of the Verticalists?
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
1. Saucha-sacredness or purity 2. Santosha-contentment 3. Tapas-discipline 4. Swadhyaya-self study or introspection 5. Ishvara Pranidhana-Dedication to God
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
Last act performed before the yogi actually chooses to leave his body and turns thrice - faces north and his spirit leaves the body.

18. What is Ishta Devata?

19. What does Pratyahara mean?
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
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.
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.
PAT=FALLEN; SHAKTI PAT=FALLEN ENERGY

20. What is Maha Samadhi
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.
Last act performed before the yogi actually chooses to leave his body and turns thrice - faces north and his spirit leaves the body.
Patanjali
Patanjali's DUALISTIC approach (DVAITA VEDANTA) allows only for this kind of SAMADHI. This is SAMADHI with DIFFERENCE (BIKALPA) - ie

21. What were the UPANISHADS?

22. Veda
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
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
KNOWLEDGE
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.

23. How does the Hatha or Tantric yogi purify their body?
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.
Personal observances or restraints
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
Hymns sung and passed down from Brahman to Brahman. The RIG VEDA first mentions Yoga

24. Vishnu's Counterpart

25. PAT (FROM PATANJALI)
RIG VEDA - ATHARVA VEDA - Jahjur VEDA - SAMA VEDA
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.
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.
PAT=FALLEN; SHAKTI PAT=FALLEN ENERGY

26. Name the 8 Limb Path
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi
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

27. Shiva-Shakti
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna
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
Arguably the most famous Sutra which means - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
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.

28. What is the Bhagavad-Gita

29. BHAKTI Yoga
Extend the life force
The Path of Devotion. (Hare Krishnas - for example)
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
'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.

30. What is Nirbikalpa Samadhi
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER
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
KNOWLEDGE

31. WHY did Patanjali choose 8 limbs?
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh
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
From the 8-fold path of BUDHISM
100-500 C.E.

32. WHAT ARE SOME OTheR NAMES FOR CLASSICAL Yoga?
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
Found in the Bhagavata PURANA. He gives 10 sons and 1 daughter to each of his 16 -108 cow girls.
Founder of the school of qualified non-dualism. (Vashista Advaita). He challenged Patanjali's believe that God was abstract. This means that he believed the spiritual world had qualities - such as a deity or the trimuti. (Bhakti yogi - Devotion to Go
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga

33. Who is Shankara?

34. What does Pranyama mean?
Extend the life force
4500-2500 BCE
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.
Classical Yoga around 300-400 BCE

35. Who are the two most outstanding Nathas?
Forceful yoga.
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.
Matsyendra and Goraksha
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.

36. Who is Matysendra
Seat
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.
It means ear splitting. They would split both ears and wear very large earrings which is said to invoke the Yoga Siddhis powers.

37. JNANA Yoga

38. The UPANISHADIC AGE
1500-1000 BCE
'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
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga

39. Who are the two most outstanding Nathas?
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.
Matsyendra and Goraksha
Patanjali
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding

40. Brahma's Counterpart
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
Hymns sung and passed down from Brahman to Brahman. The RIG VEDA first mentions Yoga
Buddhism - Right Path - Left Path and Kaula.
Sarasvati - The Goddess of knowledge - speech and the fine arts - also the name of an extinct river in India.

41. What is Krishna also known as
Govinda - cow finder.
KNOWLEDGE
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.

42. What is Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah?
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
Personal observances or restraints
Arguably the most famous Sutra which means - Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
1500-1000 BCE

43. What were the UPANISHADS?

44. CLASSICAL ERA OF Yoga - WHEN?
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.
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
100-500 C.E.

45. Who is Matysendra
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
Universal morality
Founder of the Kaula Branch of Tantra and the Natha sect.
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna

46. 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
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.
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.
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

47. Why was Goraksha given his name?
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
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

48. Name the Niyama's and their meanings
1000-100 BCE. All ABOUT NON-DUALISM
1. Saucha-sacredness or purity 2. Santosha-contentment 3. Tapas-discipline 4. Swadhyaya-self study or introspection 5. Ishvara Pranidhana-Dedication to God
To weave - loom or extend - very non judgmental - they embraced everyone with an open mind.
The Path of Wisdom - 'embodying the scriptures. investing in study

49. KRISHNA

50. What does Dhyana mean?
God - the absolute - the expansion - quantum source.
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.
Pat; fallen or transfer. Anjali; greeting.
Meditation