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The Origins of Yoga - How We Should Be Inspired by the Trailblazers
A Brief Look at the Pioneers of Yoga
In the video above, I give a short introduction to the history of yoga. Of course, I’ve left out a great deal—there’s so much more that could be said, but much of it would be lost on the casual viewer. What I intended was a brief, accessible look at some of yoga’s pioneers, and that’s exactly what this is.
If you’re interested in learning more about modern trailblazers like Krishnamacharya and B.K.S. Iyengar, I wrote in-depth profiles on them some time ago. Those pieces took me ages to research and write, but they offer a detailed exploration of their contributions to yoga.
At its core, this video is a story of courage and heart. As we look back at history, that theme shines through. The great Swami Vivekananda once said, “The only sin is to think that you are weak.” He believed that bravery and heart were the only true religion—and his own life was a testament to that.
In 1893, Vivekananda traveled to Chicago to speak at the World’s Parliament of Religions. It was his first time leaving India, and he knew how the world saw his people. At the time, Indians were viewed as second-class subjects, always under foreign rule, their beliefs dismissed by the white man. Their clothes, spices, and pottery were admired, yet they themselves were treated as puppets of the British.
Many would have rejected the invitation, fearing rejection and ridicule. But Vivekananda knew he had to show heart. He wanted the world to see that the people of India (pre-partition) were not just subjects but real, flesh-and-blood individuals. That their spiritual traditions carried more wisdom than the West had ever understood.
He stepped onto that stage prepared for laughter, for jeers, for hostility. But in that moment, he found something greater—his own light, his own path, his own brilliance. His speech introduced Hindu philosophy to the Western world, and his words still resonate today. We owe Swami Vivekananda an immense debt of gratitude.
As I mention in the video, the most yogic principle we can uphold is to simply be ourselves. To be brave as we are. To accept that when we are truly authentic, we won’t always be liked—but we must remain true. We should follow the example of the great yoga teachers of the past and always do what is best for ourselves and our students. We must never lose heart.
In my next blog, I will write about two lesser-known but perhaps even more relevant pioneers and trailblazers of the yoga world: Indra Devi and Vanda Scaravelli.
Zahir Akram - Eternal Seeker
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