Indian & Russian Yoga

India and Russia are two different countries and cultures that have come to share a common bond: yoga. Yoga is an ancient physical and mental practice with deep roots in India that, over the last century, has spread worldwide into other countries, including Russia -- a country that at one time persecuted citizens for practicing yoga. Times have changed and yoga is now flourishing in Russia, and Russian yogis are hitting the road to help educate and spread the practice of yoga in other countries.

  1. Basic Principles

    • Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj" which means "yoke" or "union." The practice of yoga strives to bring a union between the mind and the body. If you practice yoga, you've likely experienced how yoga brings together physical and mental awareness. Yoga incorporates breathing practices with physical movement, working to build deep, controlled breathing that positively impacts your physical energy while doing yoga poses. These basic principles continue to be the foundation for the many different styles of yoga found in India, Russia and other countries.

    Indian Yoga

    • Yoga began in India around 5,000 years ago and is believed to have originated from one of the oldest primary texts of Hinduism. Over the centuries, it has evolved and grown with more than 90 different of styles yoga in practice throughout the world. No matter what style of yoga you practice, it stems from ancient forms of Indian yoga. Examples of classic Indian yoga styles include: Hatha, Kundalini and Jnana. From these classic styles, more modern styles have evolved, such as Bikram and Vinyasa.

    Russian Yoga

    • Once yoga was no longer outlawed in Russia -- after the fall of the Soviet era, yogis began introducing yoga publicly in cities such as St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Moscow and Togliatti. Several different styles of yoga are now taught in more than 176 Russian cities; these styles include classic forms, such as Hatha, Kundalini and Sahaja, and more mainstream forms, such as power yoga. There are four formal Russian yoga organizations today that are recognized as members of the International Yoga Federation. Yoga is now embraced by Russia's elite and even by the government. "The New York Times" reports that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev openly talks with media about how he works toward "mastering yoga" to help him destress amidst the demands of being a political figure.

    Cultural Bridge

    • Not only is yoga being used as a bridge between the mind and body, but it's also serving as a common bond between historically diverse cultures. Now that the Indian practice of yoga is officially recognized and promoted in Russia, it's serving as a cultural bridge between Russia, India and other countries. Yogis in Russia are helping promote yoga in small counties throughout the world through programs such the International Support Program for the Advancement of Sahaja Yoga.