Hmmm... well I could say a lot about the whole "Yoga is a religion" vibe and unfortunately so may people are afraid of or shy away from yoga because they have been misinformed or have their own preconceived notions of what they think (or fear) YOGA is. Having said that, I'll try to make this simple.
Yes, yoga originally comes from the east. Yes, it is a tradition that is considered a philosophy, a science and an art. But there are so many traditions and styles of yoga (Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga,etc) that to say that yoga (as an umbrella term) is a religion is off base.
Here in the west most folks practice "Hatha yoga" or the more physical side of yoga that focuses on the postures and the breath. There are some teachers that chant, there are some that don't.... some classes include the philosophy of their tradition .... some are glorified stretching classes. Honestly and sincerely, yoga is a tool. If you want yoga to help you become more flexible it will. If you want to grow stronger physically and emotionally, it will help you do that too. If you want to have less injuries in your other sports, it'll do the trick. If you want to connect more deeply to spirit... It will help you on that journey as well.
Yoga will help you to become more authentically YOU. Wether you want to be a better person, athlete, mother, Christian or Muslim isn't the point. Yoga does not discriminate and it doesn't care wether you pray to God or Allah or Jesus or Buddah or Moses or to no one.
It is simply a tool to help you become a "better" (for lack of another word) YOU whatever/whoever that is. Having said that, keep in mind that all classes and teachers and what is being taught and how it is being taught are different. I would suggest taking several classes with different teachers and in various environments (gym,YMCA, and a certified yoga studio). Find a teacher you resonate with and go for it.
There is just so much to say about this so if this hasn't been helpful please feel free to contact me directly and I will do my best to answer any further questions.
Peace,
K
--------------------
"You have to be the change you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
Re: Prayer/Praise/Scripture sharing.....?
