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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 was Patanjali the author of?
Author of the Yoga sutras (source text of Classical Yoga) and the 8 Limb Path
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.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 Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path

2. Veda
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
KNOWLEDGE
From the 8-fold path of BUDHISM
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna

3. KRISHNA

4. What does Asana mean
Sita
Seat
Classical Yoga around 300-400 BCE
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.

5. Why did the Classical Yogis not believe in a deep exploration of the physical world and their body?
The founder of the Kanphata order and an early preceptor of Hatha yoga.
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.
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
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

6. Before Goraksha - what was practicing asana was primarily done for?
Sabikalpa - Nirbikalpa - Maha
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
Means 'to sit near'. There were traditionally 108 Upanishads. Epiphanies of the VEDAS They were interpretations of the VEDAS
To prepare the yogi for meditation.

7. DVAITA VEDANTA

8. What do the Niyamas represent
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
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).
Personal observances or restraints
To prepare the yogi for meditation.

9. What is the Ramayana
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
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.
Cow Protector
The Path of Devotion. (Hare Krishnas - for example)

10. What is Krishna also known as
Govinda - cow finder.
Goraksha
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
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

11. Yoga SUTRAS
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
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
The Yoga Sutras - The 8 Limb Path
Forceful yoga.

12. Brahma's Counterpart
Sarasvati - The Goddess of knowledge - speech and the fine arts - also the name of an extinct river in India.
The Path of Devotion. (Hare Krishnas - for example)
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)
Withdraw from the senses and eliminate distraction from the outside world.

13. Who is Patanjali
Author of the Yoga sutras (source text of Classical Yoga) and the 8 Limb Path
God - the absolute - the expansion - quantum source.
Founder of the Kaula Branch of Tantra and the Natha sect.
The Path of Wisdom - 'embodying the scriptures. investing in study

14. What are the four paths of Tantra yoga?
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
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.
To weave - loom or extend - very non judgmental - they embraced everyone with an open mind.
Buddhism - Right Path - Left Path and Kaula.

15. Why was Goraksha given his name?
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
Cow Protector
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
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

16. BHAKTI Yoga
The Path of Devotion. (Hare Krishnas - for example)
Sita
Cow Protector
'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)

17. What does Samadhi mean?
Classical Yoga around 300-400 BCE
Meditation
Enlightenment - ecstasy - absorption
Govinda - cow finder.

18. What do the Yamas Represent
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
1500-1000 BCE
Hymns sung and passed down from Brahman to Brahman. The RIG VEDA first mentions Yoga
Universal morality

19. What is Hatha Yoga?
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.
Radha
Found in the Bhagavata PURANA. He gives 10 sons and 1 daughter to each of his 16 -108 cow girls.

20. Who is Matysendra
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
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
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.

21. PAT (FROM PATANJALI)
'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.
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.
PAT=FALLEN; SHAKTI PAT=FALLEN ENERGY
Seat

22. Why was Goraksha given his name?
Author of the Yoga sutras (source text of Classical Yoga) and the 8 Limb Path
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
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

23. Advaita Vedanta
Goraksha
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
Non-dual - end of the Vedas

24. PARUSHA and PAKRITI
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.
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER
Enlightenment - ecstasy - absorption
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.

25. What is Patanjali's approach to Dvaita (Dualism).
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
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
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
Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah.

26. Name the Yama's and their meanings
Forceful Yoga. The yoga of physical discipline - aiming at the awakening of the serpent power (kundalini shakti).
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
Universal morality

27. Who is Ramanuja?

28. What are the four vedas
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
Rig - Atharva - Yahjur - Sama
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
It means Non-dualism or 'not two.'

29. Advaita Vedanta
The Path of Wisdom - 'embodying the scriptures. investing in study
Buddhism - Right Path - Left Path and Kaula.
Non-dual - end of the Vedas
Dualism or 'two.'

30. What is another name for Goraksha
The founder of the Kanphata order and an early preceptor of Hatha 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
Cow Protector
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.

31. Yogash citta vritti nirodhah
Dualism or 'two.'
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)
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
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 does Hatha Yoga mean?
Yoga IS The RESTRICTION OF The WHIRLS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (CITTA)
To prepare the yogi for meditation.
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
Forceful yoga.

33. Name the Barkan Method Lineage.
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.
Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Sustainer Shiva- The Destroyer
It means ear splitting. They would split both ears and wear very large earrings which is said to invoke the Yoga Siddhis powers.
Mahavatar Babaji - Lahiri Mahasaya - Swami Sri Yukteswar - Paramahansa Yogananda - Bishnu Ghosh

34. WHAT ARE SOME OTheR NAMES FOR CLASSICAL Yoga?
Qualified non-dualist
Patanjali's DUALISTIC approach (DVAITA VEDANTA) allows only for this kind of SAMADHI. This is SAMADHI with DIFFERENCE (BIKALPA) - ie
ASHTANGA Yoga - PATANJALI Yoga - RAJA Yoga
The founder of the Kanphata order and an early preceptor of Hatha yoga.

35. What is the 'breakdown -' or meaning of Patanjali's name
Sarasvati - The Goddess of knowledge - speech and the fine arts - also the name of an extinct river in India.
Pat; fallen or transfer. Anjali; greeting.
Concentration
4500-2500 BCE

36. What was unique about the Kaula branch of Tantra yoga
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.
This is the story of wars between two arms of a family - the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
Seat
It means the Lord's Song. The book of Psalms. The popular Yoga scripture containing the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna.

37. What does Vashista mean?
Qualified non-dualist
4500-2500 BCE
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.
Found in the Bhagavata PURANA. He gives 10 sons and 1 daughter to each of his 16 -108 cow girls.

38. What does Pranyama mean?
Extend the life force
1. Ahimsa-non violence 2. Satya-truth 3. Asteya-non stealing 4. Brahmacharya - abstinence 5. Aparigraha - non hoarding
Concentration
Means 'to sit near'. There were traditionally 108 Upanishads. Epiphanies of the VEDAS They were interpretations of the VEDAS

39. What is the Mahabharata (The Great Story)?
'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
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.
Matsyendra and Goraksha
This is the story of wars between two arms of a family - the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

40. The Brahman
God - the absolute - the expansion - quantum source.
Means 'to sit near'. There were traditionally 108 Upanishads. Epiphanies of the VEDAS They were interpretations of the VEDAS
Qualified non-dualist
100-500 C.E.

41. Who is Shankara?

42. What was unique about the Kaula branch of Tantra yoga
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
The Mahabharata (GREAT STORY). The Bhagavad Gita is incorporated within the Mahabharata as one of the episodes.
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.
Pat; fallen or transfer. Anjali; greeting.

43. Who was the first Hatha yoga teacher?
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.
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
Matsyendra and Goraksha
Goraksha

44. Name the three energy channel Nadis
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna
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.
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.

45. The BHAGAVAD-GITA

46. The Vedic Age
RIG VEDA - ATHARVA VEDA - Jahjur VEDA - SAMA VEDA
Yogash Citta Vritti Nirodhah.
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
4500-2500 BCE

47. Parvati's son
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
Ganesh - the pot belly elephant face God and the removal of all obstacles.
Non-dualism. Based on the Upanishads. Two main branches Radical - taught by Shankara - and Qualified - taught by Ramanuja.
Lakshmi - The Goddess of good fortune - wealth - she attracts the minds of the yogi's by her beauty.

48. PARUSHA and PAKRITI
Sabikalpa - Nirbikalpa - Maha
1. Saucha-sacredness or purity 2. Santosha-contentment 3. Tapas-discipline 4. Swadhyaya-self study or introspection 5. Ishvara Pranidhana-Dedication to God
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.
SPIRIT and NATURE/CONSCIOUSNESS and MATTER

49. Name the three Samadhi's
Yama - Niyama - Asana - Pranayama - Pratyahara - Dhrana - Dhyana - Samadhi
Found in the Bhagavata PURANA. He gives 10 sons and 1 daughter to each of his 16 -108 cow girls.
Sabikalpa - Nirbikalpa - Maha
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.

50. The Indic Trimurti
Buddhism - Right Path - Left Path and Kaula.
Pingala - Eda and Sushumna
Extend the life force
Brahma- The Creator Vishnu- The Sustainer Shiva- The Destroyer