As the name of my website already suggests, I combine yoga and shamanism. But why? And does it even make sense to combine these two traditions? YES! For me, it makes a lot of sense. At first sight, the two don’t have much to do with each other. But if you take a closer look, you will find many similarities and connections.
The roots of Yoga and Shamanism
Archaeological findings have proven that shamanism was practised as early as 30,000 years ago. The first scientific evidence for the practice of Yoga was found in the Vedas (10,000 years old). However, many scholars assume that this tradition is much older than can be proven today. However, both traditions most certainly existed before the first religions appeared. Shamanism, as well as Yoga, served our ancestors as a method to reconnect to the primordial soul and as a technique to experience the flow of existence. Shamanic traditions developed independently of each other all over the world. Yoga originated in India and was then spread all over the world.
The same world view
Yoga and shamanism share the same view on our existence. Both traditions speak of the all-pervading energy (prana). The sun (Surya), as the giver of life, and the moon (Chandra), as the female power, play an important role. In shamanism, the four cardinal points, or also called winds, play a central role. The cardinal points also play an essential role in Vastu Shastra (teaching of the right architecture, which has been transmitted through the Vedas, just like yoga). The elements are also important in both traditions. Yoga and shamanism teach us that there is no duality. Everything is connected and made of the same energy. Both show us the way to merging with the primal soul.