As early as the second millennium BCE, figurines and seals depict deities in seated yoga postures. Early Sanskrit texts describe silent sages, who are said to have superhuman powers. While these texts are not conclusive, they are important in understanding the history of Indian yoga. In the process, ascetics, seekers, and yogis have learned much from each other. In fact, many modern yoga teachers are drawn from the Indian tradition.

In the beginning, asceticism is an integral part of Indian yoga. The word 'tapas' means heat, and the early Indian ascetics focused on acquiring interior heat, which they believed to bring about magical powers. In addition to reducing physical effort, yoga was also viewed as a means of neutralizing the senses, gaining mystical union with the Divine, and freeing oneself from samsara (rebirth).

The origins of Indian yoga can be traced to northern India. It was mentioned in ancient texts, such as the Rig Veda, which is the oldest of the vedas, dating to the 2nd millennium BCE. Its practices and beliefs may have been developed by pre-Aryan people in India, and may have even derived from their ancient magical traditions. The 6th century BCE saw a major development of the practice.

However, the BJP's investment in yoga, which purportedly promotes Hindu nationalism, is a symptom of a larger problem in India. While a BJP-supported effort to promote Hindu nationalism is admirable, the practice of yoga is not only incompatible with the Hindutva political strategy, but also with Muslim-dominated Indian communities. Further, the BJP's attempt to legitimize yoga by presenting it as a secular activity is an attempt to displace the role of Muslims in Indian society.

As the interest in Yoga grew in the United States, Swami Rama, an enlightened Hindu monk, made visits to the United States and encouraged Westerners to adopt it. He even became the first person to translate Yogic texts into English. Today, yoga is widely practiced in Western countries and is a part of the nationalist movement. And a number of prominent Indian Yogis have come to the west to share their knowledge of yoga.

While the ultimate goal of yoga is freedom, the ancient texts describe extraordinary powers, or'siddhis.' These abilities are said to allow yogis to penetrate different states of consciousness, understand the nature of objects, and even gain control over nature itself. Other siddhis include knowing the past, future, and the languages of other people and animals, becoming invisible, and the power to become invisible. The ancient texts also discuss the yogis' ability to become invisible.

Conclusion

In addition to physical exercises, the Indian Yoga practice also includes mental discipline, or meditation. This practice goes hand-in-hand with Hinduism and Buddhism, and transcended sectarian lines in India. However, the two differ in philosophy and style. Yoga is an essential part of daily life in India. It informs everything about the Hindu faith, from food to temples. The Hindus pray on the Ganges to their gods. Similarly, the Sun Salutation is understood as a powerful expression of spirituality.