Why do Yoga in Nepal?
Nepal Yoga has a long tradition, wherefore Nepal is also called the country of yoga and Meditation. Many people come to Nepal to learn about yoga, become a yoga teacher or deepen their practices through yoga workshops and retreats. However nowadays, yoga is offered almost everywhere in the world, so why travel to Nepal for yoga? In this blog we will look at the history and importance of yoga in Nepal and why your practice here will provide you with a deeper and more meaningful understanding of yoga.
The History of Yoga in Nepal
Nepal Yoga is said to have originated in Nepal, with the history of yoga dating back roughly 5,000 years ago to the area on the foothills of the Himalayas which nowadays belongs to Northern India. According to legends, Yoga was first passed on by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and from there onto men.
The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest Veda text, the Rigveda. The Vedas are a collection of ancient sacred Sanskrit texts that include hymns, songs, mantras and rituals, which were to be used by Brahmans, the Vedic priests.
However, the first systematic presentation of yoga did not came until around 2000 BC, when a man named Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras. The Yoga Sutras build the foundation of classical yoga and still influence most yoga styles today. He describes yoga as an eight limbed path towards obtaining enlightenment, of which asanas (postures) – what the West commonly thinks of as yoga – is only one of the eight disciplines. (Read more about the 8 Limbs of Yoga on our blog.) Patanjali, who was most likely born in Bhojpur, Nepal, is therefore considered the “Father of Yoga”.
Later, yoga practitioners in Nepal moved away from the ancient Vedic texts and developed Tantra Yoga. Focusing more on the physical body, Yoga was seen as a way to cleanse the body and mind through physical exercise. This lead to the creation of what the West nowadays associates most commonly with Yoga: Hatha Yoga.
Today Yoga is still a vital part of Nepal’s identity, culture, and spirituality. It is a practice that is passed on by generations, from father to son, from mother to daughter, from teacher to student and from friend to friend. Many Nepalese incorporate a variety of yogic practices (not necessarily asanas) into their everyday life, often combined with spiritual practices.
So who could possibly be a better yoga teacher than a Nepalese who learned about yoga from his parents before he could even walk? What would be a better place to learn about yoga than in its very birthplace? Yoga might have spread out its branches all over the world, but its roots will always be deeply grounded in Nepalese soil.
Come to Nepal and experience the yoga spirit for yourself!
Kanchan Yoga Nepal
Kanchan Yoga is a well-established Yoga Center in Kathmandu, with own Yoga Training and Retreat Center in Boudha, where weekend yoga retreats and yoga teacher trainings are held. Our passionate and highly qualified Nepalese and international teachers design their classes in a way that everyone can join – from absolute beginners to yoga teachers themselves. We offer everything you need for the best yoga experience in Nepal:
- Daily yoga classes in Thamel and Patan
- Weekend Yoga Retreats in the Kanchan Yoga Training and Retreat Center Boudha
- 200h Yoga Teacher Training
- Private Yoga Classes with Kanchan
- Yoga Treks, for example: Mardi Himal Yoga Trek
Check out the schedules for our daily classes in Thamel or Patan and join us for a session!
Contact us via +977 9818148030 or kanchanyoganepal@gmail.com for further information or bookings.
Hope to see you soon! Namaste.