What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

Categories: History | Sport

For the first time in the West, the philosopher Schopenhauer began to study yoga, and the real surge of interest in this "science" occurred in the first half — the middle of the twentieth century.

We have collected interesting vintage photos from the history of yoga, capturing its first adherents.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

1. 1928.

Gradually, Indian philosophy transformed into a kind of fitness, gaining adherents in the West. Actress Athene Seiler shows an exercise during the show Skin Deep ("Deep under the skin"). Photo by Sasha/Getty Images

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

2. The first photos resembling yoga classes appeared in 1908 — at the London Olympics, athletes used its elements to stretch muscles.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

3. The first real yogis in America — James Hay-Kelly demonstrates impressive asanas.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

4. "Master class" of the 1940 model. Photo: Tunbridge-Sedgwick Pictorial Press/Getty Images

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

5. Yoga is not only useful, but also fun.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

6. And, by the way, it's beautiful.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

7. An integral element of yoga is a headstand.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

8. By the way, Marilyn Monroe was one of the first stars to practice yoga: she could easily perform a headstand right on the beach.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

9. As well as other very difficult asanas.

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

10. May 1949.

15-year-old Pamela Fawn performs an exercise in a class at the Tunbridge Wells Ballet School. In this educational institution, under the guidance of Madame Nikolaeva-Legat, students studied yoga on a par with traditional, classical subjects. Photo: George Konig/Keystone Features/Getty Images

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

11. June 21, 1956.

Acrobat Joe Clemendor, who perfectly knows the technique of yoga, literally shocked the visitors of a nightclub in Paris by performing a "twisted" asana in front of them. Photo: John Sadovy/BIPs/Getty Images

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

12. 1960.

The Indian "master" is rocking a sling attached to his hair with a baby, which seems to give both great pleasure. At the feet of the "guru" is a board with nails — the inventory of the show program. Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

13. March 1963.

Hungarian "guru" Laszlo Szabo shows exercises on the Budapest TV program. Photo: Keystone/Getty Images

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

14. Advertising of clothing brands is already appearing here. September 1976, a popular yoga instructor, Kahti, performs an asana in a knitted suit from the C&A winter collection. Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images

What was yoga like in the last century: curious vintage photos

15. August 1977.

A couple of yoga lovers at a class in London's Hyde Park. Photo: Colin Davey/Evening Standard/Getty Images

Keywords: XX century | Vintage | Vintage pictures | Yoga

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