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| The era of Post
classical Yoga gave rise to prolific literature. The Post Classical Yoga
from the seventh century to the seventeenth century brought some big changes
to Yoga. Tantra Yoga emerged during this time, ushering in a new and radical
approach that was much more inclusive. Another great advancement that took
place was that women and lower caste people were included and were allowed
to practice Yoga. Goddess worship was also introduced. The whole attitude
towards the body, which was previously considered as despicable and unclean,
changed dramatically during this period. It was out of this physical orientation
that Hatha Yoga developed.
Modern Yoga arrived in the United States during the late 1800's. It can
be attributed to many gurus, including Swami Vivekanada, and their great
works. Vivekanada was a student of Ramakrishna, and was commissioned by
his teacher to attend the Parliament of Religions in Chicago of 1893. Vivekanada
was well accepted and later traveled all around the U.S. to spread the Yoga
tradition.
Another Yoga guru, who is perhaps the most popular, was Swami Paramashansa
Yogananda, who founded the Self-Realization Fellowship. Yogananda wrote
the Autobiography of a Yogi and his teachings still enjoy immense popularity
even today. Other Yoga gurus include Krishnamurti and Maharishi Mahesh
Yogi. Krishnamurti traveled widely, drawing large crowds and expounded
upon Jnana-Yoga. People will mostly likely remember Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
who popularized Transcendental Meditation (TM) in the 60's, because he
was associated with the Beatles.
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