Final answer:
Yoga's roots can be traced back to ancient Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It was codified in Hindu scriptures like the Rigveda and the Yoga sutras by Patanjali and was influenced by the ascetic practices in Eastern Ganges plains. It spread to the West in the 19th century through Swami Vivekananda's translations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Roots of Yoga
The ancient religions from which yoga derives its roots are primarily Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. During the Upanishadic period (900-200 BCE), yoga was incorporated into philosophic traditions contributing to the rise of Jainism and Buddhism. This practice further influenced the emergence of Bhakti within Hindu culture and Sufism within Islamic culture, especially after the conquest of India by Islamic leaders in the 15th century CE.
In Hinduism, yoga is first mentioned in the Rigveda and was traditionally a part of the Samkhya school. The sage Patanjali's teachings were later compiled into the Yoga sutras around 400 BCE, which outline the ancient traditions and beliefs of yoga, emphasizing the cessation of mental fluctuations to reveal one's true self.
In Buddhism and Jainism that arose in the eastern part of the Ganges plains, a greater emphasis was placed on ascetic practices, meditation, and spiritual development, which later evolved into yoga. The Jain doctrine of ahimsa ("non-violence") is a key ethical tenet that also colors their approach to yoga.
The spread of yoga in the West was facilitated in the 19th century by Swami Vivekananda, who translated yoga scriptures into English, allowing the practice to be understood and adopted by people across the globe.