Yoga
Is Yoga a religion? According to Swami Jnaneshvara Bharti “Yoga does not prescribe the worship of any specific "deity or deities." The word divine is defined (in dictionaries) as coming from, or connected with God or gods. Yoga does not give specific instructions for the "existence, nature, [or] and worship." Yet, Yoga acknowledges that bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion is a valid aspect of Yoga. Yoga does not tell you where to direct that devotion, or the specific methods by which you should do it. That is left to personal religious preference. Once again, divine is defined as relating to God or gods, and Yoga itself does not prescribe to what or whom one should direct their neither worship, nor does Yoga require it. Again, Yoga definitely acknowledges the value of bhakti Yoga, regardless of which form that takes for an individual person. It also may be true that one uses the word divine in other ways as well. Also, Yoga itself is not institutionalized as a religious system, although some of the principles are contained within many religions or other systems (such as the principles of kindness to other people, taking care of one's body, regulating breathing, or quieting the mind). Although, one could become "completely devoted to or obsessed by" Yoga, and thus this use of the word religion might apply. Once again, however, common sense tells us that this is not really the meaning of the word religion. Most people have a working, day-to-day, common language sense of the meaning of a religion, and it simply does not apply to Yoga. When one could become "completely devoted to or obsessed by" Yoga, and thus this use of the word religion might apply.”
According to Swami Sivananda “Yoga is for all, and (it) is universal. It is not a sectarian affair but a way to God, and not a creed. Yoga is union with God, union with all. God dwells in all. The practice of Yoga is not opposed to any religion or any sacred Church. It is purely spiritual and does not contradict anyone's faith. Yoga is not a religion, but an aid to the practice of the basic spiritual truths in all religions. Yoga is for all, and is universal. It is not a sectarian affair but a way to God. To live in God, to commune with God is Yoga.”
According to George Feuerstein “Yoga, it is quite true, has historically been associated with India's three great religious-cultural traditions-Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Thus the teachings of Yoga are infused with many concepts that have a Hindu, Buddhist, or Jaina flavor. The most striking examples, which often are a stumbling block for Westerners, are the ideas of karma and reincarnation and the notion of there being many deities in addition to the one ultimate Reality. First of all, there have been Yoga masters who dismissed the ideas of karma and reincarnation, and the deities of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism can be compared to the angels of Christianity and Judaism. Thus, in order to practice Yoga, you need not believe in karma or reincarnation.You need not believe in anything other than the possibility that you can transform yourself: that you can go beyond your present understanding and experience of the world and, more significantly, beyond your current egocentric state of being.”
According to American Institute of Vedic Studies: “Yoga in general refers to the spiritual practices of asana, pranayama, puja, mantra and meditation which are the main vehicles for realizing Vedic wisdom. Yoga (and its many Sanskrit synonyms) is a common term in all Hindu teachings of the Vedas, Puranas and Tantras. The diverse yogic paths of Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion), Karma (Service) and Kriya (Technique) reflect the multidimensional approach to the Divine found in the Vedic teachings. As in the case of Yoga one does not have to formally become a Hindu to benefit from these teachings on an outer level, like using Ayurvedic practices to improve one's health. However, if one wants to connect to the deeper spiritual levels of these teachings one cannot do so without respecting the spiritual traditions behind them and following their principles and practices in one's behavior.”
At the same time, Yoga naturally acknowledges certain conventional religious beliefs and observances to the degree to which they possess social, psychological, aesthetic or Spiritual value and often incorporates these in its practices and teachings. In practice, therefore, we find three aspects or degrees of Yogic activity leading to Re-Union with the Highest Reality: 1. Psycho-physical aspect based on physical and mental training. Apart from well-known physical postures, this may include elements of a religious nature, conventionally speaking, such as praying, chanting, performing certain ritual or symbolic acts, attending Spiritual discourses, etc. At this stage consciousness is still attached to the material aspect of reality; 2. Mystical aspect based on communion with a Higher Reality brought about by inner Spiritual Intuition. Consciousness here begins to become acquainted with, and adapt itself to, Spiritual dimensions of reality. The main practice belonging to this phase is Meditation or Contemplation; 3. Metaphysical or transcendental aspect based on direct Recognition of Ultimate Reality and understanding of Its true relationship to oneself and the World, as a result of which the ordinary human condition is overcome and permanent Cosmic Consciousness is attained. Yoga may be practiced on any of these levels according to the practiser's inclination, needs or capacity, physical, psychological and Spiritual. It becomes evident from the above that conventional religion belongs to the incipient phases of Yogic activity (Phase 1) after which the practiser advances to higher stages of experience belonging to True Religion or Yoga proper.
http://www.christinemoore.freeserve.co.uk/webs.web1/yoga_and_religion.html
It is through yoga we learn how one can have better health, live happier life, live longer, lead active, productive, and rewarding life. There are various forms of Yoga, each has different purpose, for example Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Japa Yoga, Buddi Yoga, etc., can be used to simplify your life style. Raja Yoga teaches meditation, Bhakti Yoga teaches devotion, Karma Yoga teaches ethics, Mantra Yoga deals with spiritual union with chanting, Japa Yoga deals with chanting on beads, Hatha Yoga teaches stretching, breathing techniques, and relaxation exercises for preparation of Raja Yoga for meditation. According to Sanskrit definition Yoga is the union of individual soul (Atman) with Brahman, which is the Universal Soul.
Astanga Yoga has eight steps of classical yoga, a form of progressive spiritual pathways to get spiritual realization. The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two steps, which deals with ethic and devotion. 1) Yamas, meaning “restraint behavior ” it teaches non-violence, discipline desire, do not steal, do not lie, and do not seek casual sex. Whereas, 2) Niyamas means “observance behavior”, it teaches be pure in body, mind, and speech, seek contentment, cultivate devotion, educate yourself, tolerance, and be devoted to hardship. The remaining six steps are 3) Asana, deals with physical exercises. 4) Pranayma teaches breathing techniques. 5) Pratyahara prepares one for meditation; here one learns how to detach your mind from your body. 6) Dharana prepares one to hold mind one thing or a specified period of time; here one learns how to concentrate. 7) Dhyana teaches on how to focus on one thing for long time. 8) Samadhi deals with absorption that is to say self-realization.
Health benefits of yoga by Feuerstein: http://www.iayt.org/benefits.html.
He divided the benefits in 3 groups: 1) Physiological Benefits - decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, EMG activity, and pain; increase in EEG waves (alpha, theta, delta, and beta) during meditation, cardiovascular efficiency, endurance, strength and resiliency, energy level, grip strength, muscle flexibility, joint motion range, and immunity; improvement in sleep, posture, eye-hand coordination, balance, steadiness and excretory functions; and normalization in weight, GI functions, and endocrine functions. 2) Psychological Benefits - decrease in anxiety, depression, and hostility; increase in subjective well-being, social adjustment, self-acceptance, self-actualization, somatic and kinesthetic awareness; and improvement in mood, fine skills, choice reaction time, depth perception, integrated functioning of body parts, attention, concentration, memory, and learning ability. 3) Biochemical Benefits - decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, glucose levels, white blood cell counts, and LDL and VLDL cholesterol’s levels increase in HDL cholesterol, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, total serum protein, lymphocyte counts, thyroxin and vitamin C levels.
Is Yoga a religion? According to Swami Jnaneshvara Bharti “Yoga does not prescribe the worship of any specific "deity or deities." The word divine is defined (in dictionaries) as coming from, or connected with God or gods. Yoga does not give specific instructions for the "existence, nature, [or] and worship." Yet, Yoga acknowledges that bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion is a valid aspect of Yoga. Yoga does not tell you where to direct that devotion, or the specific methods by which you should do it. That is left to personal religious preference. Once again, divine is defined as relating to God or gods, and Yoga itself does not prescribe to what or whom one should direct their neither worship, nor does Yoga require it. Again, Yoga definitely acknowledges the value of bhakti Yoga, regardless of which form that takes for an individual person. It also may be true that one uses the word divine in other ways as well. Also, Yoga itself is not institutionalized as a religious system, although some of the principles are contained within many religions or other systems (such as the principles of kindness to other people, taking care of one's body, regulating breathing, or quieting the mind). Although, one could become "completely devoted to or obsessed by" Yoga, and thus this use of the word religion might apply. Once again, however, common sense tells us that this is not really the meaning of the word religion. Most people have a working, day-to-day, common language sense of the meaning of a religion, and it simply does not apply to Yoga. When one could become "completely devoted to or obsessed by" Yoga, and thus this use of the word religion might apply.”
According to Swami Sivananda “Yoga is for all, and (it) is universal. It is not a sectarian affair but a way to God, and not a creed. Yoga is union with God, union with all. God dwells in all. The practice of Yoga is not opposed to any religion or any sacred Church. It is purely spiritual and does not contradict anyone's faith. Yoga is not a religion, but an aid to the practice of the basic spiritual truths in all religions. Yoga is for all, and is universal. It is not a sectarian affair but a way to God. To live in God, to commune with God is Yoga.”
According to George Feuerstein “Yoga, it is quite true, has historically been associated with India's three great religious-cultural traditions-Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Thus the teachings of Yoga are infused with many concepts that have a Hindu, Buddhist, or Jaina flavor. The most striking examples, which often are a stumbling block for Westerners, are the ideas of karma and reincarnation and the notion of there being many deities in addition to the one ultimate Reality. First of all, there have been Yoga masters who dismissed the ideas of karma and reincarnation, and the deities of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism can be compared to the angels of Christianity and Judaism. Thus, in order to practice Yoga, you need not believe in karma or reincarnation.You need not believe in anything other than the possibility that you can transform yourself: that you can go beyond your present understanding and experience of the world and, more significantly, beyond your current egocentric state of being.”
According to American Institute of Vedic Studies: “Yoga in general refers to the spiritual practices of asana, pranayama, puja, mantra and meditation which are the main vehicles for realizing Vedic wisdom. Yoga (and its many Sanskrit synonyms) is a common term in all Hindu teachings of the Vedas, Puranas and Tantras. The diverse yogic paths of Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion), Karma (Service) and Kriya (Technique) reflect the multidimensional approach to the Divine found in the Vedic teachings. As in the case of Yoga one does not have to formally become a Hindu to benefit from these teachings on an outer level, like using Ayurvedic practices to improve one's health. However, if one wants to connect to the deeper spiritual levels of these teachings one cannot do so without respecting the spiritual traditions behind them and following their principles and practices in one's behavior.”
At the same time, Yoga naturally acknowledges certain conventional religious beliefs and observances to the degree to which they possess social, psychological, aesthetic or Spiritual value and often incorporates these in its practices and teachings. In practice, therefore, we find three aspects or degrees of Yogic activity leading to Re-Union with the Highest Reality: 1. Psycho-physical aspect based on physical and mental training. Apart from well-known physical postures, this may include elements of a religious nature, conventionally speaking, such as praying, chanting, performing certain ritual or symbolic acts, attending Spiritual discourses, etc. At this stage consciousness is still attached to the material aspect of reality; 2. Mystical aspect based on communion with a Higher Reality brought about by inner Spiritual Intuition. Consciousness here begins to become acquainted with, and adapt itself to, Spiritual dimensions of reality. The main practice belonging to this phase is Meditation or Contemplation; 3. Metaphysical or transcendental aspect based on direct Recognition of Ultimate Reality and understanding of Its true relationship to oneself and the World, as a result of which the ordinary human condition is overcome and permanent Cosmic Consciousness is attained. Yoga may be practiced on any of these levels according to the practiser's inclination, needs or capacity, physical, psychological and Spiritual. It becomes evident from the above that conventional religion belongs to the incipient phases of Yogic activity (Phase 1) after which the practiser advances to higher stages of experience belonging to True Religion or Yoga proper.
http://www.christinemoore.freeserve.co.uk/webs.web1/yoga_and_religion.html
It is through yoga we learn how one can have better health, live happier life, live longer, lead active, productive, and rewarding life. There are various forms of Yoga, each has different purpose, for example Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Japa Yoga, Buddi Yoga, etc., can be used to simplify your life style. Raja Yoga teaches meditation, Bhakti Yoga teaches devotion, Karma Yoga teaches ethics, Mantra Yoga deals with spiritual union with chanting, Japa Yoga deals with chanting on beads, Hatha Yoga teaches stretching, breathing techniques, and relaxation exercises for preparation of Raja Yoga for meditation. According to Sanskrit definition Yoga is the union of individual soul (Atman) with Brahman, which is the Universal Soul.
Astanga Yoga has eight steps of classical yoga, a form of progressive spiritual pathways to get spiritual realization. The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two steps, which deals with ethic and devotion. 1) Yamas, meaning “restraint behavior ” it teaches non-violence, discipline desire, do not steal, do not lie, and do not seek casual sex. Whereas, 2) Niyamas means “observance behavior”, it teaches be pure in body, mind, and speech, seek contentment, cultivate devotion, educate yourself, tolerance, and be devoted to hardship. The remaining six steps are 3) Asana, deals with physical exercises. 4) Pranayma teaches breathing techniques. 5) Pratyahara prepares one for meditation; here one learns how to detach your mind from your body. 6) Dharana prepares one to hold mind one thing or a specified period of time; here one learns how to concentrate. 7) Dhyana teaches on how to focus on one thing for long time. 8) Samadhi deals with absorption that is to say self-realization.
Health benefits of yoga by Feuerstein: http://www.iayt.org/benefits.html.
He divided the benefits in 3 groups: 1) Physiological Benefits - decrease in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, EMG activity, and pain; increase in EEG waves (alpha, theta, delta, and beta) during meditation, cardiovascular efficiency, endurance, strength and resiliency, energy level, grip strength, muscle flexibility, joint motion range, and immunity; improvement in sleep, posture, eye-hand coordination, balance, steadiness and excretory functions; and normalization in weight, GI functions, and endocrine functions. 2) Psychological Benefits - decrease in anxiety, depression, and hostility; increase in subjective well-being, social adjustment, self-acceptance, self-actualization, somatic and kinesthetic awareness; and improvement in mood, fine skills, choice reaction time, depth perception, integrated functioning of body parts, attention, concentration, memory, and learning ability. 3) Biochemical Benefits - decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, glucose levels, white blood cell counts, and LDL and VLDL cholesterol’s levels increase in HDL cholesterol, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, total serum protein, lymphocyte counts, thyroxin and vitamin C levels.