Yoga—often associated with serene ashrams in India or bustling studios in the West—is deeply rooted in ancient spiritual traditions. Yet, beyond its South Asian birthplace, yoga also has a long and layered history in Southeast Asia.

Across the temples of Cambodia, the statues of Thailand, and the ancient stone carvings of Indonesia, yoga’s influence is both visible and profound.

In this blog, we explore how yoga spread from India into Southeast Asia, how it was adapted and embraced, and how its legacy continues to shape the region’s art, religion, and healing traditions today.

Yoga’s Origins in Ancient India

Yoga originated in ancient India over 2,500 years ago, developing alongside Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Its early form was deeply spiritual, emphasizing meditation (dhyāna), self-discipline (tapas), and liberation (moksha). Classical yoga texts such as the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras defined yoga not merely as physical practice, but as a path to union between the self and the divine.

From its roots in India, yoga began its journey eastward, carried by monks, traders, and pilgrims across the Bay of Bengal and into Southeast Asia.

The Indian Cultural Wave: Yoga Reaches Southeast Asia

Between the 1st and 12th centuries CE, Southeast Asia experienced what historians call the “Indianization” of the region. This was a period of cultural and religious exchange, rather than colonization, in which Indian philosophy, art, and spiritual traditions—including yoga—were adopted by local kingdoms.

Through maritime trade and diplomatic relations, Indian ideas merged with indigenous beliefs, giving rise to syncretic spiritual traditions found in:

• Cambodia (Khmer Empire)

• Thailand

• Indonesia (especially Java and Bali)

• Myanmar (Burma)

• Laos and Vietnam

This period saw the construction of massive temple complexes such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Java—monuments not just to architecture, but to a spiritual worldview steeped in yogic philosophy.

Khmer Empire: Yoga in Ancient Cambodia

Perhaps the most striking evidence of yoga in ancient Southeast Asia comes from the Khmer Empire (9th–15th centuries), whose capital was centered at Angkor.

🔸 Yogic Imagery in Stone

At temples like Angkor Wat and Preah Khan, bas-reliefs depict deities, sages, and celestial beings in yogic postures—seated in lotus pose (padmāsana), hands in mudras, eyes closed in deep meditation.

These are not merely aesthetic choices. They reflect the integration of yoga into daily spiritual life and the courtly culture of the Khmer kings, who often modeled themselves after Hindu yogi-kings—righteous rulers who practiced tapas (austerity), meditation, and dharma.

🔸 Influence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism

Many Khmer temples were originally dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu, both central figures in yogic philosophy. Shiva is revered in yogic lore as Adiyogi, the first yogi, while Vishnu represents cosmic balance. Statues of lingas, hermit ascetics (rishi), and divine meditation scenes abound.

These sacred sites demonstrate how yogic practice and symbolism were revered by Khmer elites and artisans alike.

Thailand and the Yogic Healing Arts

In Thailand, yoga’s influence is more subtle but equally profound, particularly through the traditional Thai healing arts.

🔸 Ruesi Dat Ton: “The Hermit’s Exercises”

One of Thailand’s indigenous yogic systems is Ruesi Dat Ton, meaning “the exercises of the hermit sage.” This form of dynamic yoga involves breathing, stretching, and self-massage, and is said to have been practiced by reclusive sages (ruesi) for health and longevity.

Statues of these hermits can be seen at Wat Pho in Bangkok—the spiritual home of Thai massage and traditional medicine. Many of the poses resemble yogāsanas, showing a shared lineage between Indian yoga and Thai physical-spiritual culture.

🔸 Buddhist Meditation Traditions

Thai Buddhism, particularly its Theravāda tradition, also emphasizes meditative practices derived from yoga. Though less focused on physical postures, Theravāda meditation includes deep mind-body awareness (satipatthāna) and concentration (samādhi)—both core yogic concepts.

Indonesia: Yoga and Mysticism in Java and Bali

Indonesia, especially Java and Bali, has also preserved deep yogic traditions.

🔸 Borobudur: The Mahāyāna Yogic Monument

Borobudur, a 9th-century Buddhist temple in Central Java, is constructed as a spiritual mandala that pilgrims ascend as a path toward enlightenment. The journey up Borobudur represents a yogic journey from desire to detachment, culminating in nirvāṇa.

The temple is filled with meditative Buddhas and symbolic carvings of bodhisattvas practicing dhyāna (meditation)—a key limb of yoga.

🔸 Balinese Hinduism

In Bali, Hinduism is still vibrantly practiced, often intertwined with tantric yoga rituals, mantra chanting, and devotional pujas. Balinese spiritual life reflects a blend of yogic philosophy and indigenous animism, with rituals aimed at maintaining cosmic harmony (dharma).

Yoga Today in Southeast Asia: Revival and Recognition

While colonialism and modernity disrupted many ancient traditions, yoga has seen a resurgence in recent decades across Southeast Asia. This revival includes:

• Modern yoga studios in cities like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Phnom Penh

• Traditional healing schools such as Wat Pho’s massage academy

• Cultural heritage projects preserving statues, carvings, and texts

• Mindfulness meditation programs linked to Theravāda monasteries

In 2014, the UNESCO-recognized Thai massage (Nuad Thai) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, affirming yoga’s enduring influence in the region’s healing and spiritual arts.

🕉️ Honoring Yoga Through Art and Sculpture

At HDAsianArt.com, we celebrate this sacred lineage of yoga through our curated collections of Southeast Asian sculptures:

• Meditating Buddhas in Lotus Pose

• Ascetic Rishi Figures from Khmer and Thai traditions

• Shiva as Yogi—representing divine inner stillness

• Hermit Sage Statues (Ruesi) from Thailand

• Reliefs inspired by Angkor and Borobudur

Each piece tells a story—not just of form and posture—but of centuries of spiritual discipline, wisdom, and inner peace.

Conclusion: Yoga as a Living Heritage in Southeast Asia

Yoga’s journey into Southeast Asia is a testament to the power of spiritual transmission and cultural adaptation.

Whether carved in stone at Angkor Wat, embodied in the healing stretches of a Thai hermit, or meditated upon in a Balinese temple, yoga remains a living thread connecting East and Southeast Asia in a shared quest for balance, harmony, and liberation.

As we practice yoga today—on a mat, in a temple, or through the appreciation of sacred art—we become part of this ancient, unfolding story.

“Yoga is not just a practice. It is a memory of connection—across cultures, across time, and within ourselves.”