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The first Yogi - Lord Shiva and the origins of Yoga

The first Yogi - Lord Shiva and the origins of Yoga

Jun 21, 2025

Long before yoga mats and classes.. Yoga was a sacred path and it began with Lord Shiva, 

Shiva is known as the Adiyogi - the very first yogi. He sat for thousands of years in deep meditation, perfectly still, completely awake.

How was yoga born?

After ages of deep meditation, Lord Shiva entered a state of absolute stillness - a perfect balance of mind, body and soul. This wasn't ordinary silence - it was divine awareness. A state where He was fully present, fully conscious and fully united with the universe. Today we call this Yoga - the union of the self with the divine. 

Drawn by His energy, seven great seekers approached Shiva. These were no ordinary people - they were chosen to carry forward divine knowledge.

Shiva shared His teachings, poses and 

  • Breath control (Pranayama)
  • Concentration (Dharana)
  • Meditation (Dhyana)
  • Moral Discipline (Yamas and Niyamas)
  • Energy awakening (Kundalini)
  • And the ultimate goal - union with the divine (samadhi)

Why it matters today

On international Yoga day, we don't just celebrate poses- we honor this ancient transmission of wisdom from Shiva to Saptarishis and to the entire world.

It reminds us that yoga isn't just a workout - it's a spiritual practice and a timeless gift from Hinduism to humanity. 

 

 

 

By - Cuddly Gurus - Celebrating and honoring great Hindu Icons

Cuddly Gurus is committed to creating Hindu plush toys that capture the beauty and essence of the Great Icons. Love and care are poured into each detail of the Hindu cultural toys we create, whether it be the blended feather of Kindhearted Krishna, or the folded hands of Humble Hanuman expressing his deep humility.

Hindu storybooks accompany each of these perfect plushies, bringing to life the good values of humility, calmness, and believing in yourself. We invite you to look at our full range of mantra singing Indian plush toys including Great Ganesha, Serene Shiva, Humble Hanuman, and Kindhearted Krishna, and be prepared that your child may not want to put it down!