There is an interesting article in the September 5th issue of Time magazine. This particular article covers a spectrum of opinions about mixing Christianity with Yoga. Even, if you don't agree with a single opinion, it's a good read, as long as you remain objective.
Over the course of time, I have been lucky enough to teach, or practice, with someone from every known religious denomination; so the statement by a Professor Tiwari at the Hindu University of America, where he states that, "Yoga is Hinduism," is surprising, coming from a scholar. Possibly, this statement was taken out of context, but fundamentalism exists, to a degree, in every form of religion.
If some Christians want to practice Yoga to make a closer connection to God, who are any of us to criticize it? Isn't one of Yoga's purposes, the union of self with a Supreme Being? So what is the big deal?
Truthfully, many fundamentalists are all about division - keeping the masses divided, at war with each other, and preferably, in a "holy war." They fear the unity of mankind, letting go of power, and world peace. They don't want to loosen their grip on their followers, so they squeeze a little more.
So if a Christian group wants to practice "Son Salutations", or "PraiseMoves," give them a break. Yoga is practiced in sectarian atmospheres by a variety of different religions. Nobody has a monopoly on Yoga. Yoga is a complete health maintenance system for mind, body, and spirit.
There is a type of Yoga for everyone, and some people want a little more spiritual flavor than others. Since Yoga has been around for at least 5,000 years, there is a very big variety to choose from.
As for skeptics who "point the finger" at each other - "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone?" It might be best if we all practice a little more mindfulness, and loving kindness, before we decide to criticize things we don't understand.
Yoga is "out of the bag." It is no longer practiced by a particular group. Therefore, Yoga is a public treasure, and not a genie that we will confine to a bottle. No matter how many people try to patent, or copyright, Yoga, it will be practiced within every corner of the earth.
So, please read the article in Time magazine and enjoy it, but take the time to remain objective. Recognize motives and words for their hidden agenda. Most of all, remain in good relations with your fellow man.
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Trevor chicago limos ..Yoga clothes should be comfortable and functional. They should allow... Read More
Yoga Your Way To A Happy VacationThere have been many... Read More
A healthy anal and genital area is of great importance... Read More
Pilates can benefit your overall health and sense of well-being... Read More
Time is valuable and there are a number of successful... Read More
What you are about to read applies to teaching, in... Read More
Even though the world population has shifted from mainly rural... Read More
One of the many subsets of the 5000 year old... Read More
Discover the true meaning of yoga?In taking any modern yoga... Read More
The benefit of yoga practice goes far beyond the actual... Read More
Experienced Yoga practitioners often feel discouraged when a naturally gifted... Read More
You finally made the decision to practice yoga, but which... Read More
After five thousand years of written documentation, Yoga may well... Read More
Senior Yoga / Chair YogaIs it possible that grandparents are... Read More
Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences that have been united... Read More
There is an interesting article in the September 5th issue... Read More
The great sage Patanjali in his work Yogasutra codified all... Read More
Yoga is controlling of thoughts arising in the mind. When... Read More
Most women experience PMS symptoms at different points of their... Read More
Yoga has become part of Western fitness training techniques. However,... Read More
We all want to feel loved, open, free and peaceful.... Read More
Every challenging occupation yields some sort of satisfaction, but the... Read More
I suppose it was only a matter of time before... Read More
The history of yoga is long and steeped in tradition.... Read More
Cultivating positive energy: Most of us who study Yoga have... Read More
Baylis taxi from Midway ..Stress levels around the world are on the rise. In... Read More
Time is valuable and there are a number of successful... Read More
Many adults have taken up yoga, but yoga has not... Read More
Every challenging occupation yields some sort of satisfaction, but the... Read More
Yoga Your Way To A Happy VacationThere have been many... Read More
Yoga is an ancient proven tradition that exists for thousands... Read More
With dozens of Hollywood celebrities following in their Guru's lotus... Read More
Pilates can benefit your overall health and sense of well-being... Read More
Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences that have been united... Read More
One of the many subsets of the 5000 year old... Read More
Many people feel that there is a limited amount of... Read More
I suppose it was only a matter of time before... Read More
After five thousand years of written documentation, Yoga may well... Read More
The benefit of yoga practice goes far beyond the actual... Read More
There is an interesting article in the September 5th issue... Read More
A healthy anal and genital area is of great importance... Read More
To continue with our overview of the physical component of... Read More
Even though the world population has shifted from mainly rural... Read More
As described in my earlier article... thoughts in the mind... Read More
EXERCISES FOR BACK RELIEFMany people believe that rest is best... Read More
Patanjali in his Yogasutra describes that people are afflicted with... Read More
Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in... Read More
Spending eight or more hours a day in an office... Read More
Here are some guidelines and realistic expectations for parents, who... Read More
For some reason, I had the time to sit down... Read More
Yoga |