International Yoga Day 2024: Yoga is a kind of spiritual practice that aims to balance the mind and body. From the Sanskrit root "Yuj," which means "to join," "to yoke," or "to unite," comes the word "yoga." According to yogic teachings, practicing yoga results in the unification of one's own consciousness with that of the universe, signifying complete harmony between the human mind and body as well as between humans and the natural world.

International Yoga Day will be observed on June 21, 2024. Every year, this day is honoured with a unique and different theme. The topic for International Yoga Day 2024 is 'Yoga for Self and Society'. Yoga is said to help people live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. On International Yoga Day, programs are held around the country and around the world to raise awareness about the importance and advantages of practicing yoga.

Having said that, do you know who is known as the father of yoga? This article will answer all your questions.

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Who Is The Father Of Yoga?

Many people refer to Maharishi Patanjali as the first yoga guru in history. His book "Yoga Sutras" has shaped yoga theory and practice over the ages, impacting lives and influencing the practice for generations. He has preserved 196 yoga poses for the general public.

One of the various legends surrounding Maharishi Patanjali's birth is that he was born in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, during Pushyamitra Sunga's rule (195–142 BC). It is thought that Patanjali settled in Kashi after being born here. In Kashi, Patanjali was so revered that people thought he was Sheshnag's incarnation. In other legends, he is also regarded as Saint Panini's student. But there's no evidence for this.

By arranging the yoga sutras, Maharishi Patanjali developed Ashtanga Yoga. By doing this, he gave yoga a methodical form. Despite the fact that yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in Indian society, it is thought that no written records of the practice exist.

It is said that Maharishi Patanjali documented yoga. He was an Ashtanga yoga practitioner, which encompasses the following poses: Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Maharishi Patanjali broke down yoga into manageable chunks and made it accessible to the general public in this way.

Maharishi Patanjali is also credited with simplifying yoga so that it might be practiced by as many people as possible. However, did you know that yoga predates Patanjali? However, many did not take yoga seriously or practice it because of the influence of religion and superstition. Yoga is said to have been liberated from the realm of superstition and religion by Patanjali, who also made it a secular practice, enabling an increasing number of people to practice it. This is how yoga gained widespread appeal and people began to recognise its advantages.