Yoga is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries to promote physical and mental well-being. Today, it is practiced by millions of people around the world and is considered to be one of the most effective forms of exercise for overall health, with its philosophy and ancient physical and spiritual discipline originating from India.
The Rigveda refers to yoga, which is thought to have its roots in pre-Vedic Indian traditions. However, yoga is most likely to have emerged between the sixth and fifth century BCE. The first books that describe yoga practices are from an uncertain period and are variously attributed to Hindu Upanishads.
Following Swami Vivekananda’s popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, yoga teachers from India later brought the exercise to the west. It gained popularity as a kind of physical activity in the Western world in the 1980s.
Why people practice yoga today
In a survey conducted by Eventbrite, it is revealed that 54% of Americans said that they practice yoga to release tension, 52% said they do so to get stronger physically and mentally, and 43% said that they do yoga to feel happier. The discipline has become unrecognizable when compared to its original form.
Although the trend has its own benefits, which have opened yoga to more casual practitioners, it has created a divide within the yoga-practicing community. Some individuals and groups claim that most yoga classes today cannot be called “yoga” but are entirely different activities. This argument may or may not have merit to it, but it is clear that there is some confusion as to who is practicing actual yoga – and who is really qualified to teach it.
Authenticity and innovation
Steph Ball-Mitchell founded the Online Yoga School with authenticity and innovation at its core. She honors yoga’s roots and India’s culture, teaching her students the importance of the entire 8-limb path that yoga is based on. She said, “it is so much more than a movement modality and it’s important to practice all 8 limbs, not just the yoga poses.”
Ball-Mitchell expertly sticks to the core concept of yoga but also emphasizes innovations. Online Yoga School is the first online platform that teaches the activity. It was founded long before the pandemic popularized online yoga classes. Practitioners can access recorded yoga workshops for only $9.99 a month, and enrollees can even get the first month for free.
Ball-Mitchell believes practicing yoga should be inclusive to everyone, regardless of their background, ability, or experience. Beyond releasing tension, improving fitness, and feeling happier, yoga is a spiritual activity that brings everyone together.
