Yoga and Human Health: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

Yoga is an ancient Indian discipline that has played a significant role in shaping the concept of holistic human health for thousands of years. Originating as a spiritual practice aimed at self-realisation, yoga gradually evolved into a comprehensive system promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This research paper examines yoga from a historical perspective, tracing its development from the Indus Valley Civilization and Vedic traditions through the Upanishadic and classical periods to its modern scientific acceptance. Classical yogic texts such as the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali and Hatha Yoga Pradipika provide systematic frameworks integrating ethical discipline, physical postures, breath regulation, and meditation. In the modern era, yoga has gained global recognition as a preventive and therapeutic health practice, supported by scientific research and institutional studies. Using a qualitative historical research methodology based on secondary sources, this paper analyses the continuity, transformation, and relevance of yoga in promoting human health. The study concludes that yoga’s holistic approach, rooted in ancient wisdom, remains highly relevant for addressing contemporary health challenges and promoting sustainable well-being.