However, during the mid-seventh century, the Arab conquest of the Iranian Plateau followed by the Muslim conquests of Afghanistan and the later establishment of the Ghaznavid kingdom in Central Asia (c. Initially, the Dharmaguptaka school was the most successful in their efforts to spread Buddhism in Central Asia. Central Asians played a key role in the transmission of Buddhism to China The first translators of Buddhists scriptures into Chinese were Iranians, including the Parthian An Shigao (c. Xuanzang notes that there were over a hundred Buddhist monasteries in the city, including the Nava Vihara as well many stupas and monks. These schools offered both residential and non-residential teacher training courses and are mainly focus on various aspects of yoga including asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, kriya, relaxation and meditation and furthermore offers yogic anatomy and physiology, psychology and teaching methodology. Since then, many more yoga centers and yoga retreats have opened up, some being one of the most beautiful in the world. During Kushan rule, Gandharan Buddhism was at the height of its influence and a significant number of Buddhist centers were built or renovated. The Buddhist art of Kushan Gandhara was a synthesis of Greco-Roman, Iranian and Indian elements.

The Kushans adopted elements of the Hellenistic culture of Bactria and the Indo-Greeks. The Uyghurs conquered the area in the 8th century and blended with the local Iranian peoples, absorbing the Buddhist culture of the region. The Gandhāran Buddhist texts also date from this period. During his reign, stupas and monasteries were built in the Gandhāran city of Peshawar (Skt. Serindian art is highly reminiscent of the Gandhāran style, yoga originated from which country and scriptures in the Gandhāri script Kharoṣṭhī have been found. Several of Menander's Indo-Greek successors inscribed "Follower of the Dharma," in the Kharoṣṭhī script, on their coins. One of the most famous Indo-Greek kings is Menander (reigned c. The Kingdom of Khotan was one of the earliest Buddhist kingdoms in the area and helped transmit Buddhism from India to China. Mahāyāna tradition as one of the great benefactors of the faith, on a par with king Aśoka or the later Kushan king Kaniśka. The Kushan empire (30-375 CE) was formed by the invading Yuezhi nomads in the 1st century BCE. The form that predominated, via the south of Tibet, was a blend of mahāyāna and vajrayāna from the universities of the Pāla empire of the Bengal region in eastern India.

The Zoroastrian Sassanian empire (226-651 CE) would eventually rule over many of these regions (such as Parthia and Sogdia), but they tolerated the Buddhist religion. Several influential Greek Buddhist monks are recorded. The other temples and places of worship worth a mention in Uttar Pradesh are Vishvanath Temple (Varanasi), Vindhyachal Temple, Rishikesh, Naina Devi Temple, Mathura, Mansa Devi, Har Ki Pauri, Ghat (Varanasi), Mathura-Vrindavan, Hemkund Sahib. There are many highly reputed training schools which are recognised and certified by international yog alliances. So, how and from where could there be any relation between yoga and religion? In the 1800s and the early 1900s many Yoga masters started travelling to the West and spreading the knowledge of yoga. Here you will be able to immerse yourself in the true essence of this Indian practice, follow a lifestyle of a yogi, become mentally, physically and emotionally balanced in life and will gain knowledge regarding the original teachings of this ancient practice. Although this change was probably effected without significant loss of integrity to the canon, this event was of particular significance since Sanskrit was the sacred language of Brahmanism in India, and was also being used by other thinkers, regardless of their specific religious or philosophical allegiance, thus enabling a far wider audience to gain access to Buddhist ideas and practices.

Satsang is another spiritual event that could be enticing for all yogis. Its popularity around the world has been cemented as part of everyday life for many people, and with the aid of social media, it has allowed yogis and teachers to share their expertise wider than ever before. The Kushan Empire's unification of most of this area and their support of Buddhism allowed it to easily spread along the trade routes of the region throughout Central Asia. Kushan royal support and the opening of trade routes allowed Gandharan Buddhism to spread along the Silk Road to Central Asia, the Tarim Basin and thus to China. After the end of the Hephthalite empire, Gandharan Buddhism declined in Gandhara proper (in the Peshawar basin). During the 19th century, Western intellectuals became more aware of Buddhism through various contacts such as colonial servants, administrators, and Christian missionaries. Whichever you choose, you'd be getting a more holistic training, in the birthplace of yoga, at a lower cost, while you get to know another culture. You can find out more about the history of yoga here, from the Shri Yogendra Museum of Classical Yoga - the world's first museum dedicated to yoga.