12 Interesting Facts to Know About Yoga, the World’s Fastest Growing Health Trend

International Yoga Day was celebrated a few days ago and with that, one needs to know the origins of yoga both cultural and spiritual and how this healthy practice gave rise to a trend that has even taken the west by storm. The advantage about yoga is its universal flexibility of perspective where an individual has the choice of indulging and practicing it from a spiritual point of view or as a healthy form of exercise. Yoga does not propagate religion but seeks to introduce healthy vibrations within a body to maintain ones mental and physical health. Here are 12 interesting facts about Yoga

1 There are 196 Yoga Sutras or aphorisms

TThere are 196 yoga sutras said to be compiled by the sage Patanjali in 400 CE. These were the most translated Indian ancient texts which were revived in the 19th century by Swami Vivekananda, the theosophical society and other organizations. Yoga soon gained prominence and is now known all over the world.

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2 There are 84 classic Yoga Asanas, the Asana being one of the 8 limbs of Yoga

Asana in Sanskrit literally means seat. In Yoga it means a pose or position. Hatha Yoga is one of the more popular forms of yoga. The ancient treatise of Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a compilation of 84 asanas or various Yoga positions. The 8 limbs of yoga as described in Patanjali’s yoga sutras is an eightfold path called ashtanga which literally means “8 limbs”. These are guidelines on how to lead a purposeful and meaningful life based upon an eightfold path. The ashtanga is a guide for moral and ethical conduct and how to maintain self discipline. It also connects you with your own spirituality.

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