For centuries, the ancient practices of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Astrology have been intertwined and highly respected by humans.

During medieval times, the practice of yoga, Ayurveda, and astrology experienced a surge in popularity and acknowledgement, becoming integral parts of people's everyday lives.

Yoga, the art of physical and mental well-being; Ayurveda, the holistic science of health and healing; and Astrology, the study of celestial influences on human behaviour, were integral tools for promoting holistic well-being, health, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the universe.

In this blog, we will discover how the practices of yoga, Ayurveda, and astrology joined forces, weaving a tapestry that profoundly influenced the lives and destinies of individuals during the medieval period.

History of Yoga

Yoga has roots in ancient India, with the Indus Valley civilization in Northern India practising it over 5000 years ago. The earliest known reference to the term' yoga' is found in the Rig Veda, a manuscript dating back to around 1500 BC.

The Atharva Veda, another ancient text from 1200-1000 BC, underscores the importance of breath regulation within yoga. This proves that various aspects of yoga, including breath control, were recognized and documented in these early texts.

However, the Vedas were originally communicated through spoken words, handed down from one generation to another. This reliance on verbal transmission makes it difficult to tell the precise timeframes, as written documentation emerged at a later stage in history.

The first systematic presentation of yoga was written during the 2nd century, called "RAJA yoga," also known as classical yoga. Patanjali, regarded as the father of yoga, defined this approach in his work, the “Yoga Sutra.” This comprehensive guide outlines 8 steps towards achieving enlightenment through yoga practice.

For centuries after Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, yogis taught about physical postures and energy practices, laying the groundwork for later Hatha yoga concepts.

Practice of Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga was started in ancient India and was designed to prepare the body and mind for meditation. The word "Hatha" itself is derived from two Sanskrit words: The sun, "Ha", and the moon, "Tha". This combination symbolizes the aspiration for balance and harmony between opposing elements within the body and mind.

Hatha yoga involves a collection of physical postures (or asanas) practised for flexibility and strengthening of the body. These asanas are practiced mindfully for several breaths to enable the practitioner to commune with their body more from within. Furthermore, Hatha yoga involves pranayama and meditation, other than the asanas.

Harmony and balance are the main ideology of Hatha yoga making it beneficial not only to the physical body but to the mind and the spirit, too

Kundalini yoga

Kundalini yoga is a type of yoga that incorporates various techniques such as chanting, singing, breathing exercises, and repetitive poses to awaken the energy within the body. The aim of practising Kundalini is to stimulate energy, also known as "Shakthi."

The historical narrations link Kundalini Yoga with the Sikh religion. Nevertheless, an inspection of mystical writings and rituals discloses that Kundalini appears to have been an integral component of esoteric teachings from about three thousand years ago. Experiences relating to Kundalini can also be traced back to the ancient civilizations — the Egyptians, the Tibetans, the Chinese, certain Native Americans, and Africans.

However, Kundalini yoga gained popularity in the West from the 1960s to 1970s through Yogi Bhajan, A Sikh from India. Since then, Kundalini yoga has been practised by people all around the globe.

Beginning of Astrology

Astrology is a belief system which postulates the relationship between celestial observations, such as the positions of stars and planets, and events on Earth. The beginning of astrology can be found in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and ancient Greece.

Ancient astrologers closely observed the formation and the motion of celestial objects. They gradually associated them with particular aspects of human life. They predicted that the location of heavenly bodies at the moment of a person's birth could predetermine their character and destiny. This prediction was often represented through birth charts, which are graphical representations detailing the positions of planets, the Sun, and the Moon at the precise time of an individual's birth.

Astrology spread through time across different cultures and became various systems and traditions. The example of how astrology was in ancient Greece was very close to astronomy, with plenty of astronomers practising it too. Greek astrologers develop advanced systems and procedures for reading horoscopes and foretelling the future.

Astrology in the Medieval Age

Astrology played a significant role in the medieval life. It was used to identify auspicious times for significant events like marriages, war dates, and the outcome of wars and political events.

Medical astrology was at its best in late medieval Europe and during the early 17th century. At this time, medical professionals believed that the zodiac signs and the planets controlled human health and medicine in different aspects. They predicted that the location of the celestial bodies determines the treatment or type of drug that would work on an individual.

Origin of Ayurveda

The knowledge of Ayurveda can be traced to ancient India, dating back over 5,000 years. The word "Ayurveda" is derived from the Sanskrit words "ayus," meaning life, and "Veda," referring to the "science of life."

The origins of Ayurveda can be found in the ancient Indian texts, particularly the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda. The foundational text of Ayurveda is the Charaka Samhita, which is attributed to the sage Charaka. This text, along with other ancient texts such as the Sushruta Samhita and the Ashtanga Hridaya, form the basis of Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic Medicine

There are different systems of Ayurvedic medicine, each system having its own approach and methods.

One of the well-known systems of medicine is Tridosha, where the ancient sages believed that each person is made up of a unique combination of the five elements: land, water, air, fire and ether. These components manifest as three doshas in the body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha oversees certain body functions and features; an imbalance in any dosha can cause diseases. Ayurvedic practitioners use several methods to treat the doshas, which include diet, herbal remedies, meditation, and lifestyle changes to regain balance.

Another system is Panchakarma which means “five actions,” is a detoxification and rejuvenation therapy. It follows a course of therapies that aims to eliminate the toxins from the body and reestablish the balance of the doshas. Panchakarma therapies involve massage, steam therapy, herbal enemas and nasal irrigation.

Nadipuranasi, or pulse diagnosis, is another significant system of medicine. Practitioners take a person's pulse and examine the subtle energy lines, and this enables them to spot the illness and tailor therapy depending on the deficiency.

Conclusion

The ancient Indian practices of yoga, Ayurveda, and astrology were not separate objectives but rather interwoven threads of a holistic approach to wellness.

Yoga promotes mindfulness and present-moment awareness, encouraging individuals to connect with their intuition and listen to their bodies. Ayurveda promotes self-awareness, which empowers one to make an informed decision about health by accessing the body's inner signals. Astrology gives insight into personal characteristics and one's life journey, allowing one to trust the gut feeling and go with what resonates on a deep level.

As a result, yoga, astrology, and Ayurveda are believed to work together to create a harmonious balance between life's physical, mental, and spiritual aspects.

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