Yoga originated in northern India more that 5,000 years ago. Archaelogists have found statuttes of men in yoga poses that are estimated to be 5,000 years old. Developed by the ancient sages of India, Yoga is not writtten down for many thousands of years, but instead passed down from teacher to student. Approximately 2,000 years ago a philosopher named patanjali began to organize and write down the principles of yoga. Patanjali's collection of Yoga's principles is known as Yoga sutras. Many people consider Patanjali to be the father of Yoga.