What is the History of Yoga?

Jun 7

The History of Yoga

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The name "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj," which means to yoke or unite. It is a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual practices that aim to bring harmony to the body and mind.

The earliest written records of yoga come from the Rigveda, one of the oldest sacred texts in Hinduism, dating back to around 1500 BCE. The text mentions the practices of breath control, meditation, and the performance of rituals as part of yoga.

Over time, yoga evolved into various forms and styles. It was first introduced to the Western world in the late 19th century by Indian yogi Swami Vivekananda. He traveled to the United States and Europe and gave lectures on yoga and its benefits. He also founded the Vedanta Society, which became a center for the practice of yoga and meditation in the West.

In the early 20th century, other Indian gurus and teachers, such as Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and B.K.S. Iyengar, further developed and popularized yoga in India and abroad

Larissa Rzemienski

Larissa Rzemienski began her yoga journey to heal following the loss of her spouse at a young age. As she dove deeper into her yoga practice, she decided to embark on the journey to become a certified yoga teacher. In 2015 she completed her 200-hour teacher training through LifePower in Tempe, Arizona. In 2019, she completed her 300-hour teacher training through Urban Yoga in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition, Larissa has certifications in Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, Meditation, Restorative Yoga, and as a Sound Practitioner. Larissa has also led several yoga teacher training programs for 200 and 300 hour students.

Larissa creates yoga offerings, yoga sequences, and classes that are unique and specialized for all her clients. She weaves in creativity through all her classes and loves learning more about yoga philosophy and yoga sutras. Larissa has served as the local lululemon store ambassador for the past several years and has offered large community events and in-store events for the lululemon community.

Outside of teaching yoga, Larissa is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Guidance Counselor for Grades K-12. She is a telehealth counselor and teaches college courses in counseling and mental health. Larissa has a Master of Counseling degree, M.B.A. in Marketing, and Ed.S. in Leadership.

Larissa also serves as a Wish Granter for Make a Wish Arizona.