Aparté No 3 | Page 23

A thousand-year heritage
The first record of yoga can be found in ancient India . Although its origins date back over 5,000 years , the discipline first emerged as a distinct practice around 200 BC , in the collection of Yoga sūtras by Patañjali ... the author ’ s name seems to offer a portmanteau bringing together the pens of many writers from different eras .
Aparté
Today , the word “ yoga ” conjures up a whole succession of poses with names that often evoke vivid images ; a magnificently executed choreography , sometimes dynamic , sometimes full of peaceful repose , but always inwardlooking . “ However , asanas ( yogic poses ) are only a small part of yoga , unfortunately it is this physical aspect that we are most familiar with today ”, explains yoga teacher Sabrina Leroy .
Initiated into the world of yoga over 20 years ago following a back operation , Sabrina discovered a whole new universe . Beyond the poses themselves , some of which did not even exist yet , she discovered the philosophy that underpins this discipline ; in Sanskrit , yoga means “ unify , method ”, and the aim of the practice is to take the whole person into account .
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