In today’s fast-paced world, people are increasingly looking for ways to overcome stress and find balance. One of the well-established methods for achieving inner peace and harmony is yoga. But have you ever asked yourself where this ancient practice comes from? What were its origins and how does yoga reach us today?
According to legends, about 15,000 years ago, the first yogi – Shiva, known as Adi Yogi, decided to pass on the ancient knowledge to his disciples – the Saptarishis. This laid the foundation for yoga as a means of self-knowledge and a path to the inner self. In the ancient scriptures, Shiva is described as the first teacher to develop a system for realizing and developing human potential. Other texts speak of Hiranyagarbha, the cosmic egg, a symbol of the source of life that Brahma created to manifest the universe. Thus yoga and ancient Indian philosophy draw their inspiration from the cosmic balance between Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – three different manifestations of the same energy.
The first mention of the word “yoga” is in the Rigveda, the oldest written text of the ancient teachings, dating from around 1500-1000 BC. In the later Upanishads of about 700-500 BC. Yoga is described in more depth and not only as a religious ritual. The strongest development of yoga teachings occurred in the first century CE, when the Mahabharata text, including the Bhagavad Gita, transmitted Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna for the first time.
Yoga gained international prominence only in the 19th century, thanks to spiritual leaders such as Swami Vivekananda, who first introduced yoga and its philosophy to the West in 1893. In 1920, Yogananda also undertook this mission and shared the ancient knowledge in Boston. Thus the West gradually discovered the wisdom of yoga, and by the late 1920s the famous Krishnamacharya, called the “father of modern yoga,” began teaching his style at the Mysore Palace. Since then, yoga began to capture the minds and hearts of people around the world.
The Philosophy of Yoga and Sankhya
Yoga philosophy is closely related to the philosophy of Sankhya, created by the sage Kapila in the 7th-6th century BC. Sankhya is a dualistic school that recognizes the existence of Purusha (the eternal soul) and Prakriti (the material world). The cosmic dance between Purusha and Prakriti symbolizes the interaction between the masculine and feminine principles and is an inspiration for modern yoga teachings.
Source of Yoga in Sofia
In the heart of Sofia is a special place that carries the spirit of the ancient yoga teachings – this is Joy Yoga. Here everyone can find their inner peace and experience authentic practices combined with healthy Ayurvedic cuisine and harmonious atmosphere.
At Joy Yoga you will find three halls bearing the names of the deities Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswati, each symbolizing different aspects of the practice:
- Ganesha - the god who removes obstacles, a symbol of new beginnings and the energy to overcome difficulties.
- Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and harmony, brings a sense of balance and abundance.
- Saraswati - the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, inspiring for improvement and spiritual development.
These rooms create the perfect environment for practice and inspiration, where everyone can feel connected to themselves and the world around them.
Did you know that the first petal of Muladhara, the first chakra, is associated with joy? At Joy Yoga, we believe that yoga is not just a physical practice, but a means of discovering true joy and peace. Come to feel this charge of energy and find your place of inner peace in the heart of Sophia.