Yoga and Bhoga – the goal of yoga through the lens of history – Matti Rautaniemi

Nowadays yoga is synonymous with the practice of asana – a form of physical exercise. People practice asana for various reasons: wellbeing, fitness and spirituality. However, if we look at the traditional textual sources of yoga, we find a completely different approach to defining yoga. Historically, the term ‘yoga’ has referred more to the goal of practice rather than the techniques involved.

In this talk, we will look at how the understanding of the goal of yoga has changed throughout yoga’s long history. We will examine the continuities and discontinuities as well as the relationship between yoga, union, and bhoga, experience.

Matti Rautaniemi has been practising yoga since 2005. He completed a Master’s Degree in Theology at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and has written three highly acclaimed books on the history and philosophy of yoga. Matti gives regular workshops at various yoga studios and teaches on many teacher trainings around Finland. He is also the co-host of the pioneering Finnish yoga podcast Maailmanpuu.
All the recordings of the Spirituality Programme are published on our YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbgmCVR_2BiokXo5C367je2vComgHWotB&si=YRjsulnlrWwHsegJ