Yoga has its origins deep in pre-history and slowly evolved through the ancient Tantric civilizations that were in existence more than 10,000 years ago throughout India and in many other parts of the world. In these ancient Tantric times, the rishis (seekers and seers], finding inspiration and truth in nature, realized techniques to attain freedom from the burdens and attachments of the world while still living within it. First, recognition of the human limitations of body and mind was needed. Then methods to transcend these limitations in order to open consciousness into higher realms of reality were taught. These skills were then handed down byword of mouth from guru (teacher) to pupil throughout the generations.

Tantra, the name given to the sacred books of Tantrism, stems from tan-oti, meaning "expansion", and tra-yati, meaning "liberation". In Tantric philosophy, the body is regarded as the gateway to the inner temple of the divine. Thus the body and bodily existence was recognized on a manifest level as a wonderful instrument through which the expansion of the unmanifest consciousness (Siva) and freedom of energy (Sokti) can be realized and united.

The term   yoga" emerged in written sources over 4,000 years ago in the ancient Sanskrit hymns and poems of the Tantras and later the Vedos, which refer to ritualistic traditions, folklore, esoteric practices and spiritual awakenings. These scriptures are considered to be sacred,  " as they were originally revealed to the rishis while they were in deep yogic states of meditation.

Further writings, called the Upanisads (literally meaning "to sit near the teachings"), gave clearer definition to the journey of yoga. These texts, 108 authentic books in all, are the final part of the Vedas, and the basis of Vedanta, which is one of the six philosophical systems of Indian thought. The Upanisads are diverse in their varied spiritual teachings, but in essence they reveal that the soul is at the core of us all and that therefore none of us is separate:

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