Final answer:
The Upanishads focus on meditation and self-realization as part of the yoga tradition, emphasizing philosophical insights and the quest for the true self, aligning with the ultimate goal of samadhi.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Upanishads, a significant period in the historical context of yoga, are more closely associated with philosophical and spiritual teachings than with strictly physical postures. Therefore, the correct answer to the question related to the focus of the Upanishads in yoga is that they emphasize meditation and self-realization. This period, which dates back from 900 to 200 BCE, includes profound philosophical texts that have shaped various religious and spiritual traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and others.
The Upanishads provide esoteric knowledge and were paramount in forming the philosophical core of Hinduism. They discuss the true nature of reality beyond sense perception. The ultimate goal during this period was to achieve the cessation of the movement of thought, which allows individuals to encounter their true selves, leading to a state of oneness known as samadhi. This aligns with the seventh and eighth limbs of yoga, which focus on meditation and self-realization.