History of Yoga & Tantra

This short course is based on Tova Olsson’s acclaimed book, originally written as core literature for Yoga Teacher Trainings. The text bridges academic rigor with lived experience, offering a clear and accessible overview of yoga’s historical development and the philosophical systems often grouped under “yoga philosophy.”

In this short course, we’ll dive into the history of yoga and yogic philosophy – from Veda and Vedānta to Sāṃkhya and Śaiva Tantra. If you’ve ever felt confused about yoga’s origins or what “yoga philosophy” truly means, this is your chance to gain clarity. This course will challenge assumptions, deepen understanding, and inspire you to see your practice in a new light.

About the Facilitator

Tova Olsson is a scholar of religion, author, and yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience in educating. She is appreciated for her deep knowledge, her ability to explain esoteric ideas and philosophical concepts in an accessible way, for her skillful storytelling and humorous approach. She holds a MA in Religious Studies and is currently working on her PhD, researching the construction of gender in contemporary Tantra in Europe. She is the author of “Yoga and Tantra: history, philosophy and mythology”, published by Motilal Banarsidass, as well as several academic articles. She runs the online school Saraswati-Studies where she teaches internationally on the history, philosophy and mythology of Yoga and Tantra.