Yoga is a discipline that was envisioned as a path to physical, mental and spiritual rejuvenation. Widely believed to have originated in India, the yogic philosophy may be gleaned from the many sacred Vedic texts. The discipline is an ancient one and originated in the times of the Indus Valley civilization. 

Even as the yogic discipline has evolved, classical goals have not wavered from their emphasis on spirituality. For instance, Vedic texts say that the goal of yoga is the union of the individual self with the higher consciousness. This, according to the Vedas, may be attained by detaching oneself from material concerns. 

The Bhagavad Gita identifies selflessness, metaphysical awareness, and devotion as the end goals of yogic discipline. This again resonates with what the Vedas say about yoga as an instrument for detachment from immediate self-absorption and ascent towards a higher truth.