History

Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara

The origins of yoga are a matter of debate.^[53] Suggested origins are the Indus Valley Civilisation (2600-1900 BCE)^[54] and pre-Vedic north-eastern India,^[55] the Vedic civilisation (1500-500 BCE), and the sramana-movement (starting ca. 500 BCE).^[56] According to Gavin Flood, continuities may exist between those various tarditions:^[57]

[T]his dichotomization is too simplistic, for continuities can undoubtedly be found between renunciation and vedic Brahmanism, while elements from non-Brahmanical, Sramana traditions also played an important part in the formation of the renunciate ideal.^{[57][note 4]}

Pre-philosophical speculations of yoga begin to emerge in the texts of c. 500–200 BCE. Between 200 BCE–500 CE philosophical schools of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism were taking form and a coherent philosophical system of yoga began to emerge.^[59] The Middle Ages saw the development of many satellite traditions of yoga. Yoga came to the attention of an educated western public in the mid 19th century along with other topics of Indian philosophy.