Final answer:
The foundational practice for many yoga styles is Hatha Yoga, which originated in the Vedic period and was elaborated during the Upanishadic period. It aims for a meditative state through a combination of deep breathing and postures, following the eight-limbed path to enlightenment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Origins and Foundations of Yoga Styles
The style of yoga that is typically regarded as the foundational practice for many other styles is known as Hatha Yoga. This ancient approach combines deep breathing (pranayama) with different postures (asanas) to achieve a state of meditation and relaxation. Notably derived from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Hatha Yoga was first mentioned in texts dating back to the Vedic period and further developed during the Upanishadic period. It's a holistic practice that goes beyond physical exercise and integrates moral codes (yamas and niyamas), postures, breath control, and meditation to lead to the ultimate goal of enlightenment, or samadhi.
Through postures and breath control, one prepares the body and mind for meditation, thereby advancing along the eight-limbed path outlined by Patanjali. Indeed, as Yoga transitioned from East to West, much of its spiritual essence was diluted. However, the essence of traditional Yoga remains a comprehensive practice well beyond just physical fitness, integrated with spiritual and philosophical elements leading practitioners towards self-realization and union with the ultimate reality.