Yoga and harmonial gymnastics

Modern postural yoga (yoga as exercise) has roots in a Western tradition of "harmonialism". Especially in America, it was created through a complicated process involving both cultural exchange and syncretism of disparate approaches. Among the many ingredients are methods of exercise for women based on 19th century systems including the aesthetic gymnastics of the Swedish Pehr Henrik Ling, and the system of movements of the French François Delsarte. Genevieve Stebbins, who incorporated both Ling and Delsarte into her teaching, created an influential system of "harmonic gymnastics"; it was paired with dynamic breathing, which she claimed was used by "Yogis of India". In the early 20th century, dancers like Ruth St. Denis became influential; she combined something close to postural yoga and what she knew of Indian dance, and taught "yogi meditation" at her Denishawn school. Further systems appeared in the 20th century, including the Swiss Dalcroze eurhythmics, the British Mary Bagot Stack's "Stretch-and-Swing System", and the American Marguerite Agniel's "Rhythmic Exercise". These "harmonial gymnastics" systems often looked much like yoga, though they were not called that; and during the 20th century, they were largely replaced by yoga. Early advocates of yoga in the West, including Yogendra, Yogananda, and Indra Devi, related their teaching to the existing "harmonial" systems.